The San Jose tournament in 1997 provided a microcosm of Rusedski's dreadful luck with injuries. The Briton steamrollered Michael Chang and Andre Agassi to reach his third ATP final.

Brimming with confidence and consistently pounding down serves of over 130 mph, Rusedski overpowered world number one Pete Sampras in the first set of the final before he was struck by a wrist injury which forced him to withdraw from the match - leaving him in tears.

Rusedski would rarely manage an injury-free season in a 16-year career, suffering problems with both feet, his shoulder, his back, his neck, his elbow and his ankle.