Novak Djokovic and Iga Swiatek progressed with straight sets wins on Monday despite a rain delay to the start of Wimbledon. Venus Williams and Coco Gauff are among the other big names in action on the first day.
It is the third major of the year and Djokovic won the first two: the Australian Open in January and the French Open in June. This takes him halfway to the first calendar-year Grand Slam in men’s tennis since 1969. He came close to the feat in 2021, but fell just one win short after losing in the final of the US Open.
He is looking for a fifth consecutive title at the All England Club and eighth overall, which would be record-equalling for both men.
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Djokovic’s title at Roland Garros was his 23rd at a Slam event, breaking the tie with Rafael Nadal for men in that category. No. 2 seed Djokovic defeated Pedro Cachin 6-3, 6-3, 7-6(4) after a rain-ravaged relay that lasted more than an hour. Groundskeepers used leaf blowers to dry the grass.
Djokovic said of the delay, “Of course, it was frustrating for all the spectators. For us players, we both wanted to play but the conditions were not good, obviously still slippery.”
The 36-year-old Serb used a towel to help dry some of the wet spots: “I usually come out with a racket, not a towel.”
Swiatek, who has four major titles but could not get past the fourth round at the All England Club, beat China’s Zhu Lin 6-1, 6-3 on the No. 1 court, the last two games after the roof closed. Live After rain delay.
Swiatek said she feels better prepared for the grass-court majors this year after winning the title at the French Open.
“After Roland Garros,” she said on court, “it took me a while to really appreciate what happened.”
“Last year, when I won Roland Garros, it was my second Grand Slam so it still felt overwhelming, but this time I can really just focus on celebrating and actually have more peace in my mind.” And I try to keep an open mind for the grass season and I think it’s working. Hopefully I’ll be able to keep that mindset.”
In 2019, semifinalist Barbora Strycova became the first winner of this year’s tournament by defeating Maryna Zanevska 6–1, 7–5. On the men’s side, seventh seed Andrey Rublev defeated Max Purcell 6-3, 7-5, 6-4 on the No. 3 Court.
After Djokovic, the 43-year-old Williams will take on Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina in the sport’s oldest major for the 24th time at the main stadium. Williams, whose younger sister, Serena, retired after last season, won five of her seven Grand Slam singles trophies at Wimbledon.
Following Swiatek on No. 1 court, three-time Grand Slam runner-up Casper Ruud was playing Laurent Locoli. And then Gauff, a 19-year-old American who was last year’s French Open finalist, will face 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin.