Djokovic wins Wimbledon opener as he bids for record-equaling twentieth grand slam title
https://cdn.cnn.com/cnnnext/dam/belongings/210628111406-01-novak-djokovic-jack-draper-wimbledon-2021-0628-super-tease.jpg
However virtually as if a bear had been poked, the world No. 1, who’s a five-time Wimbledon champion, roared again to win the subsequent three units, dropping simply 5 video games to the 19-year-old wildcard qualifier.
The Serbian will play both South Africa’s Kevin Anderson — who he beat within the 2018 Wimbledon last — or Chilean qualifier Marcelo Barrios Vera within the second spherical.
Reigning Wimbledon champion Djokovic admitted that the moist climate affected him throughout his match towards the world No 253.
“[It was] clearly an enormous honor to stroll onto this court docket, for me not less than essentially the most particular court docket. I at all times dreamed of enjoying at Wimbledon [and] profitable Wimbledon at some point after I was a child rising up in Serbia.”
Good being again
Wimbledon is eagerly anticipated by tennis followers all world wide, and much more so this 12 months after the match was canceled in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
However keep in mind that is Britain; moist climate and rain postponed the beginning of the primary day’s play, with followers having to open umbrellas and don raincoats as a substitute of sun shades and caps.
Wimbledon’s return was additionally accompanied by followers flocking to the occasion, with match organizers — the All England Garden Tennis Membership (AELTC) — saying the grand slam might be a pilot occasion within the third part of the UK authorities’s Occasions Analysis Programme (ERP). The match’s latter phases might be performed in entrance of 100% capability crowds.
In the intervening time there are 50% stadium capacities for Centre Court docket and No. 1 Court docket, and 75% for the smaller present courts.
For Djokovic, after enjoying a 12 months of tennis with restricted followers in stadiums, the chance to showcase his skills in entrance of spectators on the well-known match was a privilege.
“Clearly, alongside many different gamers, I used to be very unhappy final 12 months that Wimbledon was canceled. [It was] very tough instances for everybody, however I am actually glad that the game is again and hopefully you guys have loved it and you’ll take pleasure in it within the subsequent couple of weeks.”