“It feels more like, ‘OK, I’ve ticked the box’, and it makes me feel more comfortable continuing my tennis career. But so far, I’ve done only one cycle. I might do another cycle. I know it’s not a guarantee at all, but I felt like, ‘OK, this is like a first step and a little bit of reassurance’.”

Age was not the sole factor in Saville’s decision. Doctors diagnosed her in 2019 with Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a hormonal condition that impacts about 10 per cent of women.

Symptoms include irregular menstrual cycles, excess facial and body hair, weight gain, and reduced fertility.

Saville’s opportunity to start an egg freezing cycle came after last year’s US Open when a painful plantar fasciitis episode caused her to take a break from the tour and limit her training loads.

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Being a professional athlete, Saville had to first check that her medication fit within anti-doping regulations.

Luke was competing overseas at the time, so Saville brought a friend to the hospital for the egg-collecting procedure. She was able to complete her cycle with her intrauterine device, a form of contraception, still in.

Saville was fortunate to have few side effects, but they can include bloating, breast tenderness, headaches, mood swings, insomnia, hot or cold flashes, and mild fluid retention.

“I expected to not feel so good, and I’m someone who is not afraid of needles, so that wasn’t the hard part, but I felt like I was still able to do everything,” she said.

“I wasn’t training that hard because I was going through an injury, and I took my time, and felt like, ‘OK, this is the priority’, so I tried not to have too many stressful situations, or to have too much on my plate.

“I’ve had friends who have gone through the same process, and they didn’t feel so good. It really just depends – and it could be [like] that my next cycle.”

It was an educational process for Luke, who is retiring after this month’s Australian Open. He was originally unsure, and even a tad uncomfortable, about her sharing her egg freezing journey.

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Luke feels some guilt looking back at what his wife went through – and not only about being in another country during it.

“I felt terrible not being around and supporting Dasha, but sometimes she’d talk about it, and I’d zone out a bit,” he said.

“Obviously, I didn’t know the topic that well, and I look back on that, and a couple of times she [got upset] at me, and 100 per cent rightly so.

“What I’ve learned is you can’t show enough support. As blokes, a lot of us, I would say, don’t know about egg freezing at all … so learn about it and support your partner to the fullest because as guys, we truly don’t know what they’re going through.”

Luke is also a former world junior No.1, and that is how he met Saville as a teenager.

He will end his career having qualified for Wimbledon each year from 2014-16, including winning a round; representing Australia in Davis Cup; and partnering Max Purcell to the 2020 Australian Open doubles final.

Luke is set to spend extended weeks on the road supporting Saville, including serving as her coach when Michael Logarzo is unable to travel. He is excited about the prospect of starting a family, beyond their beloved dog Tofu.

“It’s pretty surreal to get the head around,” he said.

“When Dasha first asked me about making the egg freezing public; my initial thoughts as a bloke, you’re probably not too sure – but the reaction’s been super positive. I’ve spoken to a lot of her friends, and a lot of females in general, and they were super happy that Dash shed light on this major issue. I’m very proud.”

Women’s tennis players, and female athletes in general, continue to lead the way in going public for the greater good to discuss often private matters.

Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic announced last February she underwent uterine surgery, while American Danielle Collins was planning to retire after a career-best season to try to be a mother, but has postponed that because of health issues, including endometriosis and fertility challenges.

Australian Olympic swimmer Cate Campbell helped put egg freezing on Saville’s radar with her willingness to be vulnerable about that topic, and her struggles with managing her period as an elite athlete.

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Saville does not have an end date in mind for her own playing days.

Her comments after a shattering defeat at the US Open in late August – after which she required an injection to walk without pain because of her plantar fasciitis – made people believe that retirement was on the horizon.

“There were articles after the US Open that I’m done, but I was really angry. I shouldn’t have done this interview straight off the court,” Saville said.

“I’m very honest, and I said how I felt at that time. I’ve said some things before where it made me look like I hate the game – but that’s not true. I love it. How often do people get frustrated with their jobs?

“Even once I actually retire, I want to be involved in tennis and give back to the sport that has given me so much.”

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