Tradition – Wimbledon is steeped in it. Tradition has it that the gentlemen’s champion opens proceedings on Centre Court at 1pm sharp on the first day of The Championships.
And this year, tradition has it that Novak Djokovic wins almost every match he plays. That was that, then, the world No.1 would be safely through to the second round before tea time.
Djokovic, who treasures the Wimbledon traditions dearly, did as he was asked and dispatched Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 and came through the encounter more or less unscathed. And he was delighted.
“It is great to be back in the cradle of our sport,” he said, smiling broadly. “We have this tradition that the champion opens on Centre Court. It is a privilege and an honour. It doesn’t get any bigger than Wimbledon.
“To come back here only conjures up the dearest and the best memories. You have the butterflies and the thoughts that you are coming back to the place where you won last year.”
Winning has been something of a habit for the top seed this year – he has only lost three matches since the start of the season. But it was that third loss that had his followers worried. To have lost the French Open final to Stan Wawrinka – and to do so from a set up – could have wounded their man. Could he recover in time to launch a decent challenge in SW19? How badly dented was his confidence?
There were no clues as to the answers to these questions. Given an extra week in between the French Open and here, Djokovic elected to ignore it. While his nearest rivals were sweating and grafting on grass courts the length and breadth of Europe, the world No.1 was back home in Monte Carlo changing baby Stefan’s nappies, doing a few household chores and visiting the DIY shop. Door handles, apparently. The world’s best player wanted new door handles. Lose a Grand Slam final and what is the first thing you think of? New door handles. It’s a funny old world.
It was a good 10 days before Djokovic set foot on a practice court again. He was tired, as he ought to have been after two weeks' hard work in Paris, but he was also mentally exhausted. He had set his heart on winning the Coupe des Mousquetaires and completing his career Grand Slam. He had set his heart on it three years ago and in successive trips to Roland Garros, he had lost to Rafael Nadal.
No shame there, though: many a man has bounced into the Court Philippe Chatrier and been bounced straight out of it again by the mighty Nadal.
But this year was different. This year, Djokovic beat Nadal in the quarter-finals – the great immovable object that was Nadal at the French Open had finally been moved. Now, in theory, the path was clear for the world No.1 to fulfil his dream and win the title. Now, in theory, it was Djokovic’s title to lose. So he lost.
Almost in tears as the crowd gave him a lengthy standing ovation, he looked utterly crushed by what had just happened. He had three weeks to get over it but by the time he left Roland Garros, he looked as if three months would not be long enough to clear that defeat from his mind.
The draw had done little to lift Djokovic’s mood, either. With the top 32 men in the world all seeded and so kept away from each other for the first three rounds, the top man had the misfortune to draw the world No.33.
He could have landed a lucky loser from the qualifying competition, he could have drawn the world No.93 from Slovenia but no, Djokovic had to get the world No.33 Philipp Kohlschreiber and his stinging backhand.
That backhand, together with Kohlschreiber’s handy serve, was causing the defending champion a few problems throughout the afternoon. Djokovic was a break to the good and was then broken back in the first set and again in the third set. But once he had secured the opening set, the nerves settled (and his supporters heaved a huge sigh of relief) and even if he was not at his sparkling best, he was never in any real danger. Kohlschreiber was doing his best just to hang on while Djokovic always had another gear if he needed it.
“I had a tough opponent,” Djokovic said. “He can be tricky on all surfaces and especially on the grass where he had nothing to lose. I’m glad I was able to stay composed.”
The first hurdle had been overcome and the champion was back in business. It’s the tradition around these parts.
