Jane Austen wasn’t far off the mark.

That’s the thought which sprang to mind following Roger Federer’s historic march into tennis immortality this morning.

The Swiss legend who lost his way, his world ranking and his mojo for prolonged periods during the past 18 months is back.

And what a story it’s been.

It was perhaps fitting that he achieved his greatest milestone at the historic home of tennis. Federer eclipsing Pete Sampras’ previous record by winning an unprecedented 15th Grand Slam title.

That his feat will be dissected at length over the coming days is a given. The fact he won back his world number 1 ranking. That his career earnings now total close to $A63 million dollars.

But for me, the real story wasn’t on the court. It was courtside.

She’s been there for most of his career since meeting at the Sydney Games nine years ago. Shared his pain in the dark days. Applauded his triumphs in the good times.

The pillar of strength on which the king’s throne is built.

I’m talking about Mirka Vavrinec. Federer’s wife.

A former player herself, it was women’s great Martina Navratilova who introduced Mirka to the game. An omen from the tennis universe to be sure.

While the fellow Swiss was forced to retire due to a persistent foot injury, Federer himself has always been quick to credit his long time partner with his development.

There was a period when the seemingly unflappable, cool as ice Fed Express handled dubious line calls as well as John McEnroe on a bad day. With time, and the right influence by his side, that eventually changed.

"She helped me considerably, as a person. I developed faster, grew faster with her. Thanks to her I was very calm in the important moments in my career.  She is always supportive. I owe her a lot," said Federer.

One only has to look at Andre Agassi to see the impact a partner can have on a professional tennis player.

Agassi had large slides in his career. He tumbled down the rankings from the top when with actress Brooke Shields before finding his way back to the peak with help from wife Steffi Graf.

"It's all a function of what kind of support you have," he was quoted as saying in his playing days in regards to the role the former women’s world number one played in his life. 

"I get a lot of support, partly because she is aware of what goes into what I need to do to have a chance at any of these accomplishments, but also because she cares about what I care about."

"A good woman makes a good man" may be the oldest relationship adage around. But it seems it’s one which still holds true.

Just ask Roger Federer.