Novak Djokovic is on Centre Court against Wu Yibing on Wimbledon day one, with the seven-time champion back in the opening-day spotlight. The match is one of the day’s main draws, even as the schedule has already been hit by Jack Draper’s withdrawal because of an arm injury.
Djokovic and Wu Yibing
Djokovic brings a seven-time Wimbledon title record into the match, and that is the clearest reason this pairing matters on day one. Wu is the opponent across from him, and the Centre Court slot puts the contest at the center of the opening day coverage.
Wu Yibing is not framed here as a side note. He is the player standing between Djokovic and another Wimbledon run, and the fact that the matchup sits on Centre Court tells you where the focus of the day has been placed.
Jack Draper’s withdrawal
Jack Draper pulled out of Wimbledon because of an arm injury, adding a sharper edge to the opening day slate. With one of Britain’s headline names removed, the spotlight shifted even more firmly onto the Djokovic-Wu Yibing match and the other results already on the board.
The day has not been a quiet one for home interest either. Harriet Dart, Mika Stojsavljevic, Felix Gill and Oliver Tarvet were among seven other home players to lose on opening day, while Cameron Norrie was beaten in five sets by qualifier Michael Zheng.
Sabalenka and Sinner
Aryna Sabalenka moved through in straight sets, beating Teodora Kostovic 6-2 6-3. Jannik Sinner also advanced, overcoming Miomir Kecmanovic in five sets.
Annabel Croft, speaking on Radio 5 Live, said, “We're not 100% sure on the vulnerability of Sabalenka these days.” She added, “I think it's more about her beating herself and there's been some question marks over her performances lately.”
Croft also said, “She was always a raw tennis player, a ball-blaster and a big character on court but she's also worked on her game and tried to be more creative and patient.” She then added, “But lately I've started not to trust her on the back of the court and I'm never quite sure what she's going to do next.” Eugenie Bouchard also appeared on One.
The live picture from Wimbledon day one is clear: Djokovic versus Wu Yibing is the marquee Centre Court match, but the wider opening day has already produced a withdrawal, a straight-sets win for Sabalenka, a five-set escape for Sinner and another five-set loss for Norrie. The one result the source does not give is the finish of Djokovic against Wu Yibing.
