The defending champion, who arrived without match practice on grass, was still far from top form, especially in the first two sets against number 81 in the world.
French Open finalist Casper Ruud won a game in Wimbledon for the first time in the third attempt. The Norwegian won against the Spaniard Albert Ramos-Vinolas (ATP 39) in three sets 7: 6 (1), 7: 6 (9), 6: 2. Pole Hubert Hurkacz promised to donate 100 euros to the needy in Ukraine for each of his aces in Wimbledon. In the first round, 2,100 euros were raised, but it will stay that way. Despite his 21 aces, Hurkacz failed in five sets against the Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 6:7(4),4:6,7:5,6:2,6:7(8). Spain’s young star Carlos Alcaraz also had to play five sets before the 4:6,7:5,4:6,7:6(3),6:4 against the German Jan-Lennard Struff was a done deal. Among the women, Anett Kontaveit and Ons Jabeur, number two and three respectively, completed their tasks in two sets each.
Djokovic is the first professional to have at least 80 wins in each of the four Grand Slam tournaments. “Now that I’m 80 – let’s get to 100,” he said to cheers from the fans. The 20-time Grand Slam tournament winner is aiming for his seventh title at Wimbledon. He is number one in the world rankings because Daniil Medvedev is missing after the exclusion of Russian professionals because of Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine, as is the injured German Alexander Zverev.
According to the current status, the tournament is Djokovic’s last chance for a Grand Slam title this year. The 35-year-old does not want to be vaccinated against the corona virus even if the entry ban to the USA continues and would therefore also forego the US Open. Djokovic confirmed at the weekend that he had ruled out vaccination against the corona virus. With a few exceptions, this is still a requirement in the USA in order to be able to enter the country. Djokovic has already missed the Australian Open in January due to the vaccination issue.
On Tuesday, Austria’s only contribution to the Wimbledon main competition. Dennis Novak meets Argentinian Facundo Bagnis, whom he has never faced on the tour before.
Source: Nachrichten
