While the inaugural FC Pro Open will be remembered for the extraordinary Grand Final between PHzin and Vejrgang, the tournament's highlight was very nearly the comeback of all comebacks from Man City star Tekkz.
At the halfway point of the Group Stages, Tekkz was winless, rock bottom of Group D having taken just two points from four games. With qualification to the Finals looking like an almost impossible task, he'd go on to win three of his four matches in Match Week 8, including a 9-0 hammering of The1OS.
Only a draw with eventual Finalist Obrun prevented the miracle comeback, and yet, in those four games, the Englishman showed why so many regard him as one of the greatest Esports players of all time.
Winning pro tournaments since the age of 16, including a host of online events, he has already achieved legendary status in the pro game.
And yet, for all that he has won, the biggest tournament of all has (thus far) eluded him - the FC Pro World Championships.
Failing to qualify for the FC Pro Open Finals means he also missed the first chance to reach the 2024 edition, although winning the ePremier League with new club Man City this season would guarantee him a World Championship spot.
Competing alongside former Champions League Finalist Bonanno, there's every chance the dream team can go all the way in the ePL, and give Tekkz another shot at becoming world champion.
Heading into the 2019 World Cup (now the World Championship) Tekkz's red-hot form made him a big favourite to take the title. But the pressure and expectation took a toll, as he recently revealed in an interview for EA Sports FC Pro's YouTube channel.
Explaining the sense of relief he had after being eliminated that year, he stated: "I was buzzing to be knocked out of the [2019] World Cup."
Widely regarded as his most successful calendar year to date, 2019 also presented some personal challenges for the former F2 player, who described it as a 'lonely' time.
Nevertheless, he'd build on the success of that year in the following seasons, winning an eChampions League Invitational and the eNations Cup Qualifiers with England.
His consistency since 2017 has understandably propelled the 21-year-old into the FC Pro GOAT conversation.
For many, including Esports commentator and pundit Richard Buckley, the 'Greatest of All Time' debate is between three players - MSDossary, Nicholas99 and Tekkz.
When asked to compare himself against his two rivals, Tekkz responded: "For me, my order, of course you gotta put yourself at first.
"I think I put [Ms]Dossary at two, Nicolas99 at three. Just because for me, the GOAT needs to be the best at something.
"Longevity, I'd argue I'm there with Nicolas, and I've won more tournaments...[so] me [number] one."
For all that Tekkz has achieved in the game, the World Championship title remains a clear goal for the player, who still has a great chance of qualifying for the 2024 edition via the ePremier League.
He and Bonanno got off to the perfect start in January's ePL Group Stages, finishing top of Group A with the best record of any club. "We've got a big chance to win," he asserts.
The Finals await next month, where the City duo will be favourites to win the tournament and earn their places at this year's World Championships in Singapore.
While the biggest tournament of the year is unquestionably still important to Tekkz, he admits to having over-focused on it in recent times.
By contrast, he's now looking to take things one game at a time and keep winning for as long as he can.
"This year my mindset sort of changed. Forget these World [Championships], I just want to get back to winning," Tekkz added.
"Just to win as much as possible, [it's] baby steps."
With the momentum of his recent FC Pro Open wins behind him, and having gotten off to the perfect start in the ePL, the Man City superstar is certainly heading in the right direction.
