Australia and the United States have won tennis' Davis Cup an incredible 60 times between them.
So when they clash in men's tennis' premier team competition, it's a big deal.
And when the Australian team features Nick Kyrgios - a man, like him or loathe him, seemingly becoming a bigger deal by the day - maybe it's a sign.
Kyrgios was in devastating form, winning both his singles matches as Australia defeated the US 3-2 in their Davis Cup quarter-final in Brisbane.
Sometimes, it's hard to remember that tennis is essentially an individual sport, with players mainly representing themselves rather than their countries.
But, if Kyrgios' reaction to victory is any guide, there's still plenty of pride and importance attached to wearing one's national colours.
"I was trying to play well over the last couple of months, to try an set a good example, and try and just get myself better, and ready compete against some tough players that the (United States) have. It's another thing to say that I've been preparing, but to actually deliver - it feels pretty good."
The Australians play their semi-final in September.
Win that, and they have a November date with either France or Serbia in the final, and a shot at their first Davis Cup championship since 2003.
In the A-League, there's still one round of the regular season to go, but the final six is set.
One of Sydney FC, Melbourne Victory, Melbourne City, Brisbane Roar, Perth Glory, or the Western Sydney Wanderers will take home the trophy from the Grand Final on May 7.
But there's the matter of getting there first and form leading into the finals could be key.
Melbourne City, who are going to the finals, beat Adelaide United, who aren't, one-nil this past weekend- but didn't always impress doing it.
That's forced their coach, Michael Valkanis, to explain the difference between a side that has something to play for at this time of year, and one that doesn't.
"(Adelaide United) are not going to get relegated, they're not going to finals, so they come into the game with a different mentality, where we're playing with a different mentality, where we're playing with a bit of pressure because we want to finish as high up on the ladder as we can (and) go into the finals prepared."
Melbourne City will try to hang on to third place, which they currently occupy, on the ladder, in their final round game next weekend against Perth Glory.
In the AFL, round three was a nightmare for many in workplace tipping competitions.
Fremantle beat the Western Bulldogs, Carlton beat Essendon, and Gold Coast beat Hawthorn...all results not a lot of people would have expected.
Hawthorn and the Sydney Swans, who have played each other in the Grand Final twice in recent years, both now find themselves zero wins from three matches so far this season.
But perhaps this madcap weekend's most important game was at the other end of the ladder, with the showdown between Adelaide and Port Adelaide capitivating the South Australian capital, and many beyond it.
Ultimately, it was Adelaide who prevailed, putting them top of the standings.
As bitter as the local rivalry is, all Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley can do is admit his team got beaten by the better side on the night.
"(Adelaide) were a bit cleaner when they needed to be, they were a bit tougher when they had to be. And we didn't quite match them in some crucial moments. We had our time, they had their time, and they scored a bit better. I suppose, in a nutshell, they maybe got ten points too many from their good play."
And in surfing, the Margaret River Pro womens' event in Western Australia has been dominated by Australians.
Sally Fitzgibbons beat one Australian, Stephanie Gilmore, in her semi-final, before going on to defeat another, Tyler Wright, in the final to take the tournament.
To cap it all off, Fitsgibbons isn't just winning at the moment; in trademark style, she's having fun doing it too.
"I had so much fun just getting up in the dark and just trying to bring out my best surfing. And I feel like I've got a lot more to give. And just to get that win...oh, I feel on top of the world!"
Fitzgibbons is now tied atop the 2017 World Surf League standings with Gilmore ahead of the big event at Bell's beach in Victoria later this month.
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