Countless games had to be canceled at Wimbledon on Tuesday. © ANSA / ISABEL INFANTES

Only Carlos Alcaraz is shining on this rainy day in London

The number 1 in the tennis world achieved a secure opening victory on the very rainy Tuesday of the All England Championships in Wimbledon. Meanwhile, 71 other games had to be postponed.

July 04, 2023

From: apa/fop

The Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz celebrated a smooth 6:0,6:2,7:5 victory against the Frenchman Jeremy Chardy in his last career match. The 36-year-old Chardy was only able to improve a little in the third set.

Due to the rain, no match was played on the outside courts and ultimately 71 games were postponed.

It was not possible to play on the outdoor courts. © APA/afp / GLYN KIRK

Alcaraz was happy that he saved most of his colleagues the long wait thanks to playing on one of the two covered courts. “I played very well at the beginning. He then increased his level. I'm glad that we both played at a high level and happy to be in the second round," said the 20-year-old co-favorite on Center Court.

Carlos Alcaraz is one lap further. © APA/afp / SEBASTIEN BOZON

The roof doesn't change much for him in terms of the game itself, he said. “Sure, with the sun it’s nicer for me and for all of us. But the sound of the ball under the roof is very nice." In the early evening, local hero Andy Murray also made it to the men's side, the Scot landed a 6:3,6:0,6:1 in the British duel with Ryan Peniston. Victory. The 36-year-old Murray was applauded by Roger Federer, among others. The Swiss, who resigned last year, took a seat on Center Court in the Royal Box alongside Duchess Kate and his wife Mirka.

Rybakina with a lot of effort

Defending champion Jelena Rybakina had far more trouble than Murray in her opening game. The number 3 seeded Kazakh defeated the American Shelby Rogers after 1:43 hours with 4:6,6:1,6:2. Later, last year's finalist Ons Jabeur also made it through; the Tunisian, who was ranked sixth, put the Pole Magdalena Frech in her place with 6:3,6:3.

South Tyrol's tennis hope Jannik Sinner was already there on Monday a smooth three-set win against Juan Manuel Cerundolo survived the first round. He will now face Argentinian Diego Schwartzman (ATP 18) on Wednesday evening at around 98 p.m.