Holder Novak Djokovic won his 29th match in a row at Wimbledon on Monday, with the seven-time winner helping to dry off the Centre Court grass during an opening-day rain interruption.

The second seed pitched in as weather blew in, with officials likely wondering why they did not shut the roof immediately.

Instead, they delayed and paid the price with an interruption of 90 wasted minutes, during which a fidgety Djokovic got to work with a towel in hopes of getting back on court as soon as possible for what ended as a 6-3, 6-3, 7-6 (4) defeat of Argentine Pedro Cachin.

“It was frustrating for the crowd waiting for us (to resume),” the winner said. “We both wanted to play but it was a bit too slippery.

“But once the roof was opened, we were out there.”

No. 68 Cachin saved three match points before Djokovic – bidding for his fifth consecutive trophy here –  finished off the afternoon after nearly four hours on and off court to reach the second round.

He improved to 87-10 at the tournament.

Djokovic came to the major without any official tournament preparation on grass – his usual scenario.

“The opening match is always a bit tricky, especially since I had no lead-up event.

“Grass is quite different in terms of movement, style and tactics.  It takes more time to adjust than on any other surface

“But there is no reason I can’t (make the transition) again.

“I’m going match by match; I hope the level of tennis will elevate.”

Clay-centric Casper Ruud, seeded fourth, duplicated his career best  Wimbledon showing by winning the first round 6-1, 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 over French qualifier Laurent Lokoli.

The outsider put up a fight as he won the second set but was eventually double-faulted to lose to the steady Norwegian who has played finals at three of the last five Grand Slams.

“I take every match as an underdog here, I don’t have the perfect game for grass,” Ruud said.

“Today I played quite well, but there are many more players ahead of me who are favourites.

“I’ll just try to play loose and without pressure. I want to enjoy it every time I step onto court.”

Seventh seed Andrey Rublev became the first man through to the second round with his defeat of 2022 double winner Max Purcell 6-3, 7-5, 6-4 in 93 minutes.

Rublev, who was unable to compete here in 2022 due to the ban on Russian players, is glad to be back.

“Obviously I feel really happy to be back; in general I haven;t played much Wimbledon… I was injured or it was pandemic or then they banned us. 

“Of course I feel really special and really happy to be back in London to play at one of the best tournaments and to get a win today was a nice moment.”

He advanced with 27 winners and five breaks of serve as he won his 11th straight opening match this season..

Italian 14th seed Lorenzo Musetti ended a run of two straight losses in the first round here as he defeated Juan Pablo Varillas of Peru 6-3, 6-1, 7-5, making his point with 33 winners.

Jordan Thompson will next face Djokovic after spending three and a half hours battling Brandon Nakishima of the US, with the Australian coming from two sets to love down for a 2-6, 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (4), 6-3 result.

econd seed pitched in as weather blew in, with officials likely wondering why they did not shut the roof immediately.

Instead, they delayed and paid the price with an interruption of 90 wasted minutes, during which a fidgety Djokovic got to work with a towel in hopes of getting back on court as soon as possible for what ended as a 6-3, 6-3, 7-6 (4) defeat of Argentine Pedro Cashin.

“It was frustrating for the crowd waiting for us (to resume),” the winner said. “We both wanted to play but it was a bit too slippery.

“But once the roof was opened, we were out there.”

No. 68 Cachin saved three match points before Djokovic – bidding for his fifth consecutive trophy here –  finished off the afternoon after nearly four hours on and off court to reach the second round.

He improved to 87-10 at the tournament.

Djokovic came to the major without any official tournament preparation on grass – his usual scenario.

“The opening match is always a bit tricky, especially since I had no lead-up event.

“Grass is quite different in terms of movement, style and tactics.  It takes more time to adjust than on any other surface

“But there is no reason I can’t (make the transition) again.

“I’m going match by match; I hope the level of tennis will elevate.”

Clay-centric Casper Ruud, seeded fourth, duplicated his career best  Wimbledon showing by winning the first round 6-1, 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 over French qualifier Laurent Lokoli.

The outsider put up a fight as he won the second set but was eventually double-faulted to lose to the steady Norwegian who has played finals at three of the last five Grand Slams.

“I take every match as an underdog here, I don’t have the perfect game for grass,” Ruud said.

“Today I played quite well, but there are many more players ahead of me who are favourites.

“I’ll just try to play loose and without pressure. I want to enjoy it every time I step onto court.”

Seventh seed Andrey Rublev became the first man through to the second round with his defeat of 2022 double winner Max Purcell 6-3, 7-5, 6-4 in 93 minutes.

Rublev, who was unable to compete here in 2022 due to the ban on Russian players, is glad to be back.

“Obviously I feel really happy to be back; in general I haven;t played much Wimbledon… I was injured or it was pandemic or then they banned us. 

“Of course I feel really special and really happy to be back in London to play at
one of the best tournaments and. To get a win today was a nice moment.”

He advanced with 27 winners and five breaks of serve as he won his 11th straight opening match this season..

Italian 14th seed Lorenzo Musetti ended a run of two straight losses in the first round here as he defeated Juan Pablo Varillas of Peru 6-3, 6-1, 7-5, making his point with 33 winners.

Jordan Thompson will next face Djokovic after spending three and a half hours battling Brandon Nakishima of the US, with the Australian coming from two sets to love down for a 2-6, 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (4), 6-3 result.

Main photo:- Novak Djokovic takes a tumble over the net during first round Wimbledon win – by Roger Parker International Sports Fotos Ltd