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Novak Djokovic would have been happy if Ash Barty had opened proceedings on Centre Court in the Monday slot traditionally reserved for Wimbledon's men's champ.

Novak Djokovic was honoured to take on the traditional role of playing the first Centre Court match at Wimbledon this year - but the men's champion sounds as if he would have been just as happy if Ash Barty had been offered the role.

World No.1 Barty will step out in the first match on Centre Court on Tuesday in the traditional slot reserved for the ladies' champion of the previous year.

As Simona Halep was out injured, Barty's match against Spain's Carla Suarez Navarro was considered the prefect replacement on the 50th anniversary of the triumph by her Australian idol Evonne Goolagong.

Regardless of who got that honour, though, Djokovic reckoned he was perfectly happy if Wimbledon ditched its tradition of having the men's defending champion always open proceedings on the main court on the tournament's first day.

After beginning his quest for a sixth Wimbledon title by beating British teenager Jack Draper 4-6 6-1 6-2 6-2 on Monday, Djokovic was asked if it was about time that the women's champion got the chance to start the Centre Court show on a Monday.

And the Serbian evidently felt it was.

"Why not? I'm not in the committee of Wimbledon, so I don't make those decisions. My opinion, of course, in terms of decisions-making process doesn't matter much," Djokovic said.

"Of course, that would be nice to see. They deserve it. I will be in favour of it."

Barty's match against Spanish cancer survivor Suarez Navarro would have been a fitting and emotional way to open The Championships but it still fits the bill perfectly in the traditional second-day slot.