Novak Djokovic Triumphs over Rain Delay, Defeats Pedro Cachin at Wimbledon 2023
The BBC covered Wimbledon 2023, held at the All England Club from July 3rd to July 16th. The event received extensive coverage on BBC TV, radio, and online platforms such as BBC iPlayer, Red Button, Connected TVs, and the mobile app. For more information about the coverage, visit the provided link.
Novak Djokovic commenced his Wimbledon title defense with a victory, overcoming a comical rain delay. As the closed-roofed match unfolded on Centre Court, Djokovic used his towel to dry the court and amusingly encouraged the crowd to “blow.” Eventually, he defeated Pedro Cachin of Argentina with a score of 6-3, 6-3, 7-6 (7-4).
Djokovic expressed his amusement at deviating from the norm of having racquets and instead using towels, saying, “It was fun to do something different.” He acknowledged the frustration of the spectators who eagerly awaited the players’ return to the court. The conditions were initially unfavorable due to slipperiness caused by the rain. However, once the roof was opened and a few minutes passed, the match could resume smoothly.
In his pursuit of an eighth Wimbledon title, Djokovic aims to equal Roger Federer’s record for the most titles won by a male player. In the next round, he will face Brandon Nakashima, ranked 55th in the world, following Nakashima’s five-set victory over Jordan Thompson of Australia, ranked 70th.
During the rain delay, Djokovic’s attempts to dry the court created amusing scenes. He raised concerns about the slippery surface due to raindrops falling, leading to a break in the first set. The shower arrived just before 14:20 BST, and the roof was fully closed 15 minutes later. However, by that time, enough water had accumulated on the court to cause a significant delay.
After an inspection of the surface, the players and the crowd were informed by the umpire that the court was taking longer than expected to dry. Djokovic then playfully involved the audience by asking them to “blow” at the same time, using his towel, and wiping the grass himself. Ground staff members joined in with leaf blowers in an attempt to dry the court. Restlessness among the fans grew, leading to a slow hand clap and a Mexican wave.
As the leaf blowers and towel proved insufficient, the roof was reopened at 15:40 to allow natural drying since the rain had ceased. The strategy worked, and play resumed shortly before 15:50. Djokovic capitalized on the opportunity and secured two breaks in the second set, overpowering his opponent, who displayed resilience but was ultimately outclassed.
If Djokovic continues to succeed, he may not face a top-30 ranked opponent until at least the fourth round. Andrey Rublev, the seventh seed from Russia, poses as a potential quarter-final opponent for Djokovic. Rublev commenced his campaign with a 6-3, 7-5, 6-4 victory against Max Purcell of Australia. Rublev was unable to participate in Wimbledon 2022 due to the ban imposed on Russian and Belarusian players following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Lorenzo Musetti, the 14th seed, and Hubert Hurkacz, the 17th seed, also achieved victories against Juan Pablo Varillas from Peru and Albert Ramos-Vinolas from Spain, respectively.
Stay tuned for live coverage of the first day of Wimbledon, and check live scores, results, and the order of play. Find coverage times for BBC TV, iPlayer, online platforms, and radio. Sign up for alerts to receive tennis news on your phone. Additionally, explore the inspiring story of Gary Neville’s success, as he shares his motivations despite humble origins. Discover how Wimbledon has impacted the careers of tennis legends through Sue Barker’s global exploration.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Wimbledon rain delay
What was the result of Novak Djokovic’s match against Pedro Cachin at Wimbledon 2023?
Novak Djokovic defeated Pedro Cachin with a score of 6-3, 6-3, 7-6 (7-4) on Centre Court at Wimbledon 2023.
How did Novak Djokovic handle the rain delay during the match?
During the rain delay, Novak Djokovic used his towel to dry the court and even involved the crowd by encouraging them to “blow” to help with the drying process. He also personally wiped the grass. It created amusing scenes and added a touch of humor to the situation.
Who will Novak Djokovic play in the next round after his victory over Pedro Cachin?
Following his win over Pedro Cachin, Novak Djokovic is set to face Brandon Nakashima in the next round at Wimbledon 2023. Nakashima is currently ranked 55th in the world.
What records is Novak Djokovic aiming to achieve at Wimbledon 2023?
Novak Djokovic is aiming to secure his eighth Wimbledon title, which would match Roger Federer’s record for the most titles won by a male player at Wimbledon.
Which other players had notable victories on the first day of Wimbledon 2023?
Andrey Rublev, the seventh seed from Russia, secured a victory over Max Purcell of Australia in a match that ended with a score of 6-3, 7-5, 6-4. Lorenzo Musetti and Hubert Hurkacz, the 14th and 17th seeds respectively, also had successful matches against Juan Pablo Varillas and Albert Ramos-Vinolas.
More about Wimbledon rain delay
- Wimbledon 2023 Official Website
- BBC Sports: Wimbledon 2023 Coverage
- Novak Djokovic’s Wimbledon Profile
- Pedro Cachin’s Wimbledon Profile
- Wimbledon Court Conditions and Roof Policy
- Brandon Nakashima’s Wimbledon Profile
- Andrey Rublev’s Wimbledon Profile
- Lorenzo Musetti’s Wimbledon Profile
- Hubert Hurkacz’s Wimbledon Profile
4 comments
the rain delay was so annoying, but novak handled it with humor! blowing and wiping the grass, haha, what a legend! can’t wait for the next round, he’s on fire!
novak djokovic is such a champ, he played amazing at wimbledon this year!! i luv how he used his towel 2 dry the court, so funny. can’t wait 2 c him in the next match! go novak!
i’m so excited for wimbledon 2023, it’s always an amazing tournament. djokovic’s win over cachin was impressive, he’s a true champion. looking forward to more thrilling matches!
what a start to wimbledon! djokovic’s towel antics during the rain delay had me cracking up. gotta love his sense of humor. hoping for more exciting matches and surprises in the tournament.