Andy Murray will get a win at wet Wimbledon, a thumbs-up from Roger Federer

WIMBLEDON, England — On a day stuffed with much more rain drops than drop photographs at Wimbledon — gentle, however persistent, showers prevented the completion, and even begin, of dozens of matches — Roger Federer and Andy Murray offered the highlights.

The retired Federer, who received a males’s-record eight of his 20 Grand Slam titles on the All England Club, was within the entrance row of the Royal Box, the place he sat subsequent to Kate, the Princess of Wales. Federer was saluted with a 1 1/2-minute standing ovation throughout a pre-match tribute to his profession at Centre Court on Tuesday.

Hours later, Murray was down under, competing.

Murray received two of his three Grand Slam titles and one among his two Olympic gold medals on that moderately well-known patch of grass and — even when these triumphs have been way back; even when he’s now 36 with a man-made hip — the locals fondly keep in mind these good instances, particularly his 2013 championship that made him the primary British man in 77 years to win the occasion. They hope for an attention-grabbing present this fortnight, so Murray acquired a lot of the full-throated assist that reverberated beneath the closed roof of the primary stadium throughout a 6-3, 6-0, 6-1 victory over wild-card entry Ryan Peniston in an all-Brit first-round match.

“It was amazing to have some royalty here, but also some tennis royalty, as well,” Murray mentioned throughout his on-court interview, as Kate and Federer seemed on.

“It’s amazing to have Roger here, supporting the event,” Murray mentioned. “Last time I was on this court, and he was watching, was during the (2012) Olympics, and he sat in (Swiss countryman) Stan Wawrinka’s box and was supporting against me. So it was nice to see a couple of claps today after some good shots.”

When the interviewer seemed towards the visitor of honor to ask, “Roger, you approve of today’s performance?” Federer responded with a thumbs-up.

Peniston’s evaluation of Murray: “He was just relentless on every point.”

Murray sounded happy as nicely after claiming all 11 of his service video games, breaking 4 instances and going 17-for-17 on the internet.

“I played some good stuff as the match went on. There were some good signs there,” he mentioned. “It’s been a long time since I’ve felt sort of physically this good coming into Wimbledon. The last few years have been very challenging. I’m hoping I’m fit and ready for a good run.”

At his age and along with his two hip operations plus different assorted setbacks, Murray isn’t thought of among the many main favorites. That is a brief checklist that leads with two names and doesn’t embrace many extra: Novak Djokovic, who has received seven of his 23 main titles at Wimbledon, and Carlos Alcaraz, who’s ranked No. 1.

The 20-year-old Alcaraz placed on his traditional show of selection and athleticism — he hit one shot by wrapping his racket round his physique and swinging from behind his again whereas on the run, making contact however sending the ball lengthy — whereas beating the about-to-retire Jeremy Chardy 6-0, 6-2, 7-5.

Like Murray, Alcaraz was by no means really troubled by his opponent.

Unlike Murray, Alcaraz performed at No. 1 Court, so he didn’t get to carry out for Federer.

And, boy, was Alcaraz bitter about that.

“After the match, I was (on) the phone checking everything … all the stories, all the posts. I saw that Roger Federer was here. I was a little bit jealous,” he mentioned with a smile, carrying a white hoodie and bucket hat at his information convention. “Honestly, I want Roger Federer to watch one of my matches, obviously. I (want) to talk a little bit with him. For me, (that) would be amazing.”

Because of the moist climate, the one courts the place play was allowed after the rain started on Day 2 have been the 2 with retractable roofs, Centre and No. 1. By the top of the day, solely eight of 77 scheduled matches had been accomplished.

Three main ladies — defending champion Elena Rybakina, 2022 runner-up Ons Jabeur and Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka, who’s seeded No. 2 — all received, as did the highest-seeded male British participant, No. 12 Cam Norrie. But one other seeded man from the host nation, No. 27 Dan Evans, misplaced to Quentin Halys of France 6-2, 6-3, 6-7 (5), 6-4. In the final of the matches that concluded — one which commenced at Court 11 on Monday and wrapped up shortly earlier than 10 p.m. at No. 1 Court on Tuesday — No. 29 Tomás Martin Etcheverry completed off a comeback from a two-set deficit to get previous Bernabé Zapata Miralles 6-7 (5), 5-7, 6-3, 6-4, 7-5.

Rybakina dropped the opening set in opposition to American Shelby Rogers earlier than coming again for a 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 win; Jabeur defeated Magdalena Frech 6-3, 6-3; and Sabalenka eradicated Panna Udvardy 6-3, 6-1 in her return after being banned from Wimbledon a yr in the past together with different gamers from her nation, Belarus, and Russia over the struggle in Ukraine.

“I didn’t realize how much I missed this place,” Sabalenka mentioned, “until this match.”