Djokovic, looking to win a men’s record-extending 24th grand slam title at the tournament, and his opponent Pedro Cachín endured a delay of almost an hour and a half after the first set due to a damp, greasy playing surface. When the match resumed, Djokovic triumphed 6-3 6-3 7-6 against the Argentine to kick off his pursuit of a fifth straight Wimbledon title. “I normally come out with rackets, not with towels,” the world No. 2 joked during his on-court interview.
As the rain stopped, the roof was opened once more and play could resume. “It was definitely frustrating, of course, for the crowd waiting for us to come out on the court,” said Djokovic. “Us players, we both wanted to play, but the conditions were not great. Obviously, it was still slippery under the roof. Once the roof was open, it was a different story. After five, 10 minutes, we were out and about.