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Novak Djokovic has slid into form at Wimbledon, winning the opening match in defence of his title against British teenager Jack Draper - despite the odd spill.
Novak Djokovic has launched the return of Wimbledon - and the defence of his singles title - with a few tumbles, a shock first-set loss and, ultimately, a majestic performance.
Much like the comeback of a damp Wimbledon itself after its 2020 cancellation, the Serbian superstar had to overcome an uncertain start against British teenager Jack Draper before finding his assured feet under the Centre Court roof on Monday as he slid onto his backside with a couple of ungainly falls on the greasy turf.
Yet after somehow losing the opening set during which he'd otherwise largely been in control, Djokovic, seeking the third leg of a potential calendar grand slam, moved into another gear against the promising left-handed wildcard to prevail comfortably 4-6 6-1 6-2 6-2.
"It feels great," Djokovic told the crowd, saying he felt he was back on the "most sacred court in the world".
"I was very sad last year that Wimbledon was cancelled - it was difficult times for everybody - but I'm really glad the sport is back."
Indeed, after more than 700 days since the grass-court festival last adorned the British sporting summer, it really did feel like old times at SW19 as dismal drizzle prevented early play on the outdoor courts.
Meanwhile, on a covered Centre Court, there were familiar echoes of shrill home expectation in the excited cries of "Come on, Jack!" - as opposed to "Come on Tim ... (or Andy!)" - as Draper excelled.
Eventually it also proved business as usual for Djokovic - but only after a bit of an ignominious beginning, when he lost his footing at least three times, slid around in the early games and found himself broken by the seemingly nerveless 19-year-old.
"To be honest, I don't recall falling this many times on the court, it was quite slippery," said Djokovic, laughing that he'd have to work on his movement and slide a bit less than he'd done during his recent Roland Garros victory.
When he broke in the third set, courtesy of a lob that Draper completely missed, Djokovic let out one of those primal screams, aimed towards his player's box, that had become his signature during his recent French Open triumph.
There was no stopping him from that point with the top seed finding his range and his serve, as world No.253 Draper, son of the former British tennis chief and ex-rugby league executive Roger Draper, got a free lesson.
While rain and bad light prevented a host of matches from being completed or even starting, fifth-seeded Andrey Rublev and fellow Russia Karen Khachanov were among those to advance to the second round, along with 2018 Wimbledon finalist Kevin Anderson of South Africa.
The seeded casualties on Monday included 19th-seeded Jannik Sinner, big-serving American Reilly Opelka and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina of Spain.
