Amidst one of the most publicised break-ups in recent times, Michael Clarke showed amazing character to hit an unbeaten 100 in the first day of the opening Test against New Zealand in Wellington on Friday.
Fresh from his return from Australia, following his earlier withdrawal from the tour of New Zealand, Clarke kept his off-field dramas out of mind and helped steer his side into a dominant position of 4-316 at stumps after day one.
The century was Clarke's 14th and felt all the more sweeter given the hardship he had faced over the last fortnight.
"It [the century] was certainly better than being on zero. My first 10 runs took a hell of a long time today," said the 28-year-old.
"It's a very special feeling any time you make a hundred. It's been a tough couple of weeks, but the support I've had from family and friends, and the support from [former fiance] Lara [Bingle] as well has been tremendous."
"Without her support, I certainly wouldn't have been back over here."
Clarke took an age to find his rhythm but said all he could think about after making 50 was moving on to the next milestone.
"I got to a stage about 80 when I said to [batting partner Marcus North] 'I can't stop thinking about my hundred' and he said 'if you see it mate, just hit it'," said Clarke.
"I played some horrible shots from 50 to 100 and I had a little bit of luck. I'm really happy I got there, I wouldn't have slept too much if I was on 98 or 99."
Clarke and North, on 52, will resume batting on Saturday morning and will look to post a big total and put New Zealand under major pressure through the day.
With the Basin Reserve pitch drying out, and the ball getting older, it looks as if there will be plenty more runs to come from the pair in the second day. And with Brad Haddin still waiting to come to the crease, New Zealand will desperately need at least two wickets very early in the day.