IT is a place where dreams are routinely made real.
The Centre Court of Wimbledon is where hopes are realised and memories created.
It lived up to its reputation on Monday night for Esme Morris Macintyre who sat in a wheelchair in a corner of the grand arena and completed another one of her adventures as she watched Andy Murray and then chatted to him after his successful first-round match.
"It was an unbelievable experience," said Esme, 18, who is suffering from an incurable brain tumour and has set up a list of "adventures" to inspire others and to raise awareness of the Teenage Cancer Trust, of which she is a keen supporter.
Esme has already met Sir Chris Hoy, Emeli Sande and Amy Macdonald among others as she pursues her dreams. The teenager from Kinnesswood, Perth and Kinross, has also completed a hot balloon ride, taken part in a fashion show and has a list of other objectives including riding her cousin's motorbike.
She was almost overwhelmed by the experience on Centre Court. Sitting almost directly under the royal box, she watched Murray defeat Benjamin Becker in straight sets and then went to the players' restaurant where she chatted with her favourite player.
Esme's mother, Anne Macintyre, admitted it had been a memorable visit for all the family as she was accompanied by her husband Dave Morris, and her son, Calum, who climbed a peak in the Himalyas to raise money and awareness for cancer charities.
"I will be forever grateful to Judy Murray who helped make the visit work so smoothly," said Ms Macintyre. "It was marvellous to be on Centre Court and Andy was such an ordinary, down-to-earth person who chatted away easily."
Murray said: ''It was a pleasure to meet Esme and her family and it was great they made the trip down to watch me. I wish her and her family all the best.''
The family has raised £25,000 for cancer charities, most notably the Teenage Cancer Trust.
Esme was originally diagnosed with cancer in the form of a brain tumour in 2006 and underwent gruelling treatments, including surgery, that seemed to have restored her to health.
In November last year, Esme felt she had problems with balance and was stunned to be told that the cancer had returned. "I had surgery the following week but not all of the tumour could be removed and it was then deemed incurable," she said.
"My condition is now deteriorating and I am now in a wheelchair but I'm determined to live life to the full and enjoy every moment," she said.
The attendance on Centre Court was part of that admirable aim. Esme now prepares to help launch a cancer unit at Western General Hospital in Edinburgh tomorrow night while Murray continues his quest to win the Wimbledon title. But their fates collided on a special night on Centre Court.
Hugh MacDonald
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