Murmur of recognition for all-powerful Brian Cody

To gauge respect, in an instant, you are as well to rely on your ears.

Think of a trademark Federer backhand at Wimbledon. Dug out down the line. Or flicked crosscourt, planting an opponent helpless, on his way to the net.

As a gasp swells to a roar and into prolonged hooting and ostentatious bellows of laughter, there is recognition both of the moment’s improbability and the precedent of a thousand other backhands.