Novak Djokovic launched his bid for an eighth Wimbledon title and all-time record-equalling 24th Grand Slam triumph on Monday as Russian players marked their return from a 2022 ban with opening wins. This year’s Wimbledon will be the first since 1998 to feature neither eight-time winner Roger Federer, now retired, nor the injured Rafael Nadal. Also missing is Nick Kyrgios, the runner-up last year, who withdrew late on Sunday with a wrist injury.
The 36-year-old Djokovic, who has won the past four titles at the All England Club, opened the proceedings on Center Court, where he has not lost in 10 years. Unheralded Pedro Cachin of Argentina, the world number 68 and making his main draw debut at the tournament, was playing the role of unwitting fall guy. World number two Djokovic has already pocketed the Australian Open and French Open this year. Winning a men’s-record 23rd major in Paris put him one step behind Margaret Court’s all-time mark of 24. He is also half way to pulling off the first calendar Grand Slam since Rod Laver in 1969.
Djokovic helps dry wet court with his towel
During his match against Cachin, Djokovic helped dry Wimbledon’s Center Court with his towel, appealing to fans to “blow” on the court after a lengthy delay, with rain falling in southwest London on the opening day of the championships. The roof was closed just after the Serbian seven-time champion wrapped up the first set 6-3 against Argentina’s Cachin.
The covers came on quickly but the officials and players studied the surface of the lush grass carefully, apparently concerned over damp patches. One member of the groundstaff swept the surface before three men emerged with hand-held driers, to cheers from the crowd. Djokovic, who rubbed the court with his white towel, joked with the crowd: “Blow, we need your help.” One spectator shouted: “Get on with it.” The clock ticked past one hour since the last point had been played as efforts to dry the court continued. “Match suspended — slippery surface,” a TV caption said.
After the rain stopped, the game resumed under an open roof and saw Novak Djokovic battling through the third and last set to achieve victory over Pedro Cachin 6-3, 6-3, 7-6 (7/4).
Having been banned in 2022 after their country’s invasion of Ukraine, Russian players, competing as neutrals, made an immediate impact on their return. Seventh-seeded Andrey Rublev was the first men’s winner of the day, beating Australia’s Max Purcell 6-3, 7-5, 6-4. His 12th-seeded compatriot, Veronika Kudermetova, made the second round of the women’s singles by seeing off 38-year-old Kaia Kanepi of Estonia, a two-time quarter-finalist 7-6 (7/4), 6-4.
Swiatek eases into second round
World number one Iga Swiatek racked up the first five games on her way to sweeping past China’s Zhu Lin to reach the Wimbledon second round. Reigning US Open and French Open champion Swiatek came through 6-1, 6-3 against her 34th-ranked opponent. Top seed Swiatek, who has yet to progress beyond the fourth round at the All England Club, will face either Martina Trevisan of Italy or Spain’s Sara Sorribes Tormo for a place in the last 32. “I feel confident and did a good job of adjusting to grass,” said the 22-year-old after an 81-minute win that was completed under the roof of Court One as heavy rain disrupted play on the outside courts. “After winning Roland-Garros last year, I felt overwhelmed but this year I took the time to appreciate it and then went back to work.”
Five-time champion Venus Williams, the 43-year-old American who made her debut at the tournament in 1997, took on Russian Elina Svitolina on Center Court just after the Djokovic-Cachin game. Williams is playing the singles event for the 24th time.
Wimbledon to celebrate Federer career
Wimbledon will celebrate Roger Federer’s achievements at the All England Club with a special ceremony on Center Court on the second day of the championships on Tuesday. The Swiss eight-time champion, who announced his retirement last September, will visit the scene of some of his greatest triumphs and be honored before the start of play.
“I’m pleased to say that Roger will be with us tomorrow and we will have a special celebratory moment on Center Court before play starts just to honor him as the man holding the most gentlemen’s singles titles here at Wimbledon,” All England Club chief executive Sally Bolton said on Monday. She added: We’ll have a moment just to celebrate his achievements and to say thank you for all the memories.”
Federer, 41, has mostly stayed away from tennis since bowing out in emotional scenes at the Laver Cup in London but was similarly honored at the grass-court event in Halle, Germany, last month. Bolton revealed that Serena Williams, 41, who bowed out a few weeks earlier at the US Open, had also been invited to Wimbledon but was unable to travel. “We invited Serena similarly this year but as you’ll know she’s pregnant so understandably couldn’t travel,” said Bolton. “We of course wish her lots of luck with the remainder of her pregnancy and we hope maybe we might see her next year.”
