Staff Writer
With his 40th consecutive victory on Centre Court on Monday, Novak Djokovic began his quest for an eighth Wimbledon championship and his 24th Grand Slam victory as Russian players firmly commemorated their return from a contentious 2022 suspension.
On the tournament’s championship court, where he has not lost since 2013, the 36-year-old Djokovic overcame Argentina’s Pedro Cachin, ranked 68th, 6-3, 6-3, 7-6 (7/4), to win his fourth title at the All England Club.
Djokovic even had time to assist grounds staff in drying out arguably the most famous lawn in the world after a downpour made it too slick.
The crowd were very irate since play did not resume for approximately 90 minutes despite the roof being closed.
“When I come out, I usually come out with racquets, not towels,” Djokovic remarked, noting that 13 of his 45 winners were aces.
“Under the roof, the conditions were not terrific; everything was still slick. The throng that was waiting for us, in my opinion, was certainly frustrated.
Jordan Thompson of Australia awaits Djokovic in the second round of what he called “the holy grail, the temple of tennis” as he seeks to equal Roger Federer’s record of eight Wimbledon victories.
What a great second house to have, he thought. In terms of tradition and history, Wimbledon is among the best.
Djokovic, the world’s second-ranked player, has already won both the Australian Open and the French Open this year.
Just one major victory separated him from Margaret Court’s singles record of 24 after he set a men’s record with his 23rd victory in Paris.
The first male winner of the day was Russia’s seventh-seeded Andrey Rublev, who defeated Australia’s Max Purcell 6-3, 7-5, 6-4.
In response to the invasion of Ukraine, Wimbledon banned all Russian and Belarusian athletes a year ago.
Aslan Karatsev will be Rublev’s next opponent. “I think obviously there were better options — not just to ban,” said Rublev.
“Because there was no difference in the end. They simply made things worse for themselves.
