WIMBLEDON is finally here!
The 2020 edition was cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic but we're back in action at the All England Club this year.
And what an opening day we have in store today, with champ Novak Djokovic facing Brit youngster Jack Draper, 19.
Plus Andy Murray – who last played singles at SW19 in 2017 – gets hiscampaign underway against No 24 seed Nikoloz Basilashvili.
- Start time: Djokovic 1.30pm, Murray 5pm
- TV/ live stream: BBC 1/ BBC iPlayer/ BBC website
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- Craig Mahood
POURING IN
Spectators continue to pile into Wimbledon ahead of day one.
In the next stage of the government's pilot events, capacity is limited to 50%.
Crowds will increase to 100% for the finals weekend.
Crowds pile in for Wimbledon day one Umbrellas on show - Craig Mahood
DJOK PREP
Defending men's champion Novak Djokovic kicks off the centre court action against British youngster Jack Draper.
The number one seed was out a short time ago going through his final prep work ahead of play starting around 1.30.
He doesn't look too unfazed you'd say.
Djokivic in the practice courts He seems quite relaxed - Craig Mahood
MURRAY SNUBBED
BY Tom Barclay
Jamie Murray claims his Olympics snub feels like “a rejection”.
The Scot, 35, has won seven Grand Slam titles in the men’s and mixed doubles and has competed at the last three Games.
But he did not make the cut for Tokyo, as younger brother Andy Murray teams up with Joe Salisbury in the men’s doubles.
Dan Evans and Neal Skupski will also head to next month's Games, with Jo Konta and Heather Watson completing the six-person Team GB contingent.
To not be selected as part of the team feels like a rejection and you feel slighted by it.
To not make one of the top four spots for the doubles team is obviously hard, especially after the career I've had.
The selectors obviously felt there was better teams to go with. I don't necessarily agree with that but that's just the way it is. You just have to live with that.Jamie Murray
- Craig Mahood
SETTING THE SCENE
Supporters back at sporting events is something we have to be pleased to see.
Sitting in a rain-soaked stand, with umbrellas for shelter watching an empty court – not so much!
The covers are on on day one Punters in No2 court getting shelter from the rain - Craig Mahood
NO.1 COURT
While the first action is likely to commence of Court 1.
Monica Niculescu v Aryna Sabalenka (2)
Stefanos Tsitsipas (3) v Frances Tiafoe
Iga Swiatek (7) v Su-Wei Hsieh
- Craig Mahood
ORDER OF PLAY
We will at least have some action today on centre court and Court One.
Here is the centre court order, with play set to get underway at 1.30.
Novak Djokivic (1) v Jack Draper
Sloane Stephens v Petra Kvitova (10)
Andy Murray v Nikoloz Basilashvili (24)
- Craig Mahood
AAAAAND, ANTI-CLIMAX
But action hasn't yet started on the famous Wimbledon courts.
Absolutely typical of the British weather, a RAIN DELAY has kicked off day one.
The fans have arrived in their numbers and wander round the outside courts hoping to spot some of today's stars.
Wimbledon courts on day one Crowds walk around the grounds during a rain delay on day one (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) - Craig Mahood
WIMBLEDON FORTNIGHT
Good afternoon tennis fans, what a treat we have in store.
Wimbledon is BACK after a year off and most of the big guns are here and ready for another Grand Slam journey.
Last year's cancellation while gripped in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic was a disappointment for the sport.
And while we aren't quite out the other end, we do have a tournament.
Added to that, we will also have supporters in attendance too.
Scotland's Andy Murray is in action on day one on centre court, a little bit later on this afternoon.
But huge disappointment in the woman's draw for British fans as Jo Konta is OUT of Wimbledon after coming into contact with a positive Covid-19 case.
The British No1 is now required to self-isolate for ten days.
A tournament statement confirmed: “The Referee’s Office has advised that Johanna Konta (GBR) has been withdrawn from the Ladies' Singles Draw, having been classified as a close contact of a positive test for COVID-19.
“In line with government legislation, Konta is required to spend ten days in self isolation.”
Typically, there has been such a buzz to get some action at SW19 underway and we are yet to see a ball being struck – more on that shortly.
But it is here, it is on and it's sure to be a cracking fortnight of action.
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