Novak Djokovic begins record quest with a first-round win at Wimbledon | Tennis News – Times of India

The match began with Djokovic, chasing a record-equalling eighth Wimbledon men’s singles title, being broken in the third game after a double fault.

However, he quickly recovered, immediately breaking back to level the score at 2-2. Demonstrating his championship form, Djokovic secured another crucial break in the eighth game and confidently served out the set.
As rain fell in southwest London, the covers were hastily placed on the court, and the roof of Centre Court was closed.

Subsequent inspections and player interventions caused a lengthy delay. Djokovic, visibly dissatisfied with the slippery surface, grabbed a towel and humorously rubbed it on the court, eliciting laughter from the crowd. Ground staff members resorted to using hand-held machines in a somewhat farcical attempt to dry the court.
After an almost 90-minute delay, the match finally resumed with the reopening of the Centre Court roof. Djokovic, undeterred by the interruption, swiftly broke in the first game of the second set, establishing a firm grip on the match. He repeated this feat to seal the set.

In the third set, Cachin, ranked 68th, showed resilience, and neither player managed to force a break in the evening sunshine. However, Djokovic dominated the tie-break, taking a commanding 6-2 lead. He sealed the match when Cachin netted a shot.
Djokovic, 36, is vying for a historic calendar Grand Slam in men’s tennis since 1969, aiming to match Margaret Court’s all-time record of 24 Grand Slam singles titles.

Having already won the Australian Open and French Open this year, Djokovic continues to showcase his determination and skill on the Wimbledon stage.
“Probably (the weirdest match I’ve had), but in a good way,” he said in his on-court interview. “I think it was definitely frustrating for the crowd waiting for us to come out on court.
“The conditions were not great under the roof — it was still slippery. This is the holy grail, the temple of tennis. This court really is something special. When I come out, I usually come out with racquets, not towels.”
Djokovic said he was delighted to be back at the All England Club.
“What a second home to have,” he said after his 29th consecutive tour-level win on grass.
“It doesn’t get much better than Wimbledon in terms of history and tradition.
“It was always the dream to win it and a childhood dream came true in 2011. I connected with that young boy growing up in Serbia to come here and win it. It is a wonderful feeling to be here.”
Djokovic He faces Australia’s Jordan Thompson in the Wimbledon second round.
(With AFP inputs)