Day 1, Part 2 Wimbledon

This is the national programme, now we are going to take you over to

Wimbledon. COMMENTATOR: Present the trophy to a British winner.

Brilliant! Oh, yes. That is perfect. Irresistible, majestic.

Wimbledon champion again. Wimbledon, a place like no other in

the sporting world. 140 years of history, 140 years of grass court

tennis, 140 years of glorious memories. During that time

generations have seen Legends born, champions made, heroes and heroines

striving to win in their pursuit of greatness. 140 years is a long time,

but Wimbledon is as relevant today as it was for the first

Championships in 1877. To play and win here, even just to be here, it

is a privilege. Yes, this place is special.

I grew up dreaming and reading about Wimbledon my whole life. It was a

family tradition. Wimbledon was sort of our Super Bowl.

You could feel that traditional magical thing in those games.

Walking through the gates, everything is so new. I was in awe

of the whole place. It was just amazing. I immediately fell in love

with it. This is just it! Love the court, the atmosphere of the place,

the royalty in the box. It was different. You walk out on Centre

Court to such a harsh before everybody explodes.

UMPIRE: Choir please. This court definitely feels like

home. Everything I have is because of this court.

I will start again. It is not going to be easy. Thanks to everybody.

It is great. Wimbledon is the Golden Globe you are aiming for. I came

here for one reason only, to try to win Wimbledon. The waiting is over!

It is like living in a dream world. It is a fairy tale. It is the most

beautiful thing that can happen to you as a tennis player.

Wimbledon in the words of so many great champions. What a proud

history this clubhouse. The 2017 Championships are under way, the

latest chapter in the greatest Grand Slam tennis tournament. To be

crowned singles champion you must win seven matches over two weeks,

with the pressure and expectation building with every round. We are

ready across the BBC over the next two weeks to bring you a feast of

live tennis on BBC One and BBC Two, the red button, the BBC Sport

website and app and all social media outlets, including Twitter and

Facebook. We want you to join the conversation using hashtag

Wimbledon. Please let us know your thoughts.

Hello and welcome to Wimbledon 2017, and to our studio, which has had a

makeover, but it is always a privilege to be here with the BBC

team to bring coverage of this famous tournament at the All-England

lawn tennis club in south London. It is a special year for the BBC where

we many anniversaries. 90 years since coverage on radio, eight years

since television was broadcast and 50 years since colour television was

broadcast from Centre Court. We will be looking back into the rich

history of the tournament at hear from many great champions of the

bars. What about the class of 2017? 15 Grand Slam winner 's, nine in

action today. Andy Murray says he is fit and

ready. The world number one begins the defence of his title on Centre

Court against the unpredictable Alexander Bublik.

Venus Williams made her debut in 1997, 20 years and five titles

later, she is still among major contenders. She faces Elise Merton

is in the first round. Fresh from winning a record tenth

French Open, now he is after a Wimbledon hat-trick. He meets

Australian John Millman. Jo Konta's great year means she is

seeded six. Can she be the first British woman in 40 years to win a

singles? Have first-round opponent is Hsieh Su-wei. Petra Kvitova house

won the title twice but after a traumatic six months a third. A

Wimbledon title would complete the brink of's ram -- Grand Slam set. He

faces Medvedev. Heather Watson has slipped down the rankings but is

back in form at the right time. She is on Court Number Two. Those are

the matches we can look forward to and here is where you can see them.

Andy Murray has started his campaign. We will go there shortly.

Then Petra Kvitova and Wawrinka against Medvedev. That complete the

line-up on Centre Court. Venus Williams is under way on Court

Number One and then it is Rafael Nadal and Jo Konta. Let's hope she

recovered from the horrendous back injury she sustained at Eastbourne.

And Jo-Wilfried Tsonga is already through. Not to look forward to.

Simona Halep is on and Heather Watson will be on late evening on

Court Number Two. A very special visitor here this

morning. The new patron of the All-England Club, her Royal Highness

the Duchess of Cambridge, who said she wanted to come to meet players.

Martina Navratilova is there, amongst others. And also meeting the

ball boys and seeing behind-the-scenes and how the club

works. The Duchess of Cambridge is the new patron, taking over from Her

Majesty the Queen. That was earlier today. Although it

is just coming up to 2pm, we have results to bring you. I mention

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga is through. This is how he finished it off against

the British wild card Cameron Norrie, in his first Wimbledon. Up

against a man in form, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga rushing through his match.

You will hear more from Cameron Norrie. He had a successful college

career in America and we will hear more from him.

The big shock of the day and sad news for this man, Nick Kyrgios. We

knew he had a hip injury sustained at Queen's Club. He was two sets

down against PSU 's Hubert and was forced to retire. -- against

Herbert. Dustin Brown is through. This is the

man who put out Rafael Nadal in 2015. One of the most charismatic

players on the tour. Beating Joao Sousa. He goes through and will be

rushing to Centre Court because he will face the winner of Andy Murray

or Alexander Bublik. Disappointment for Laura Robson, who

is fighting back after a wrist surgery she had in 2014. But she was

up against the tall Brazilian with a big serve. The Brazilian was too

good on Court number 18 today. And to update you on Court Number One.

Venus Williams was leading 3-0 but Elise Merton 's has broken back and

they have started in the tie-break with a mini-break for Venus. That

matches on BBC Two. That will be on BBC Two shortly. And this match is

on the red button. Simona Halep, she has a break of serve. That is the

featured match on the red button. The French Open runner-up.

We are heading to Centre Court. Henman Hill is always busy when it

is an Andy Murray match and he came on as defending champion and this

happened about 45 minutes ago, as Andy Murray made his way onto Centre

Court. Sasha Bublik with the headphones. There were a lot of

people in their seats. They wanted to be there to welcome back the

defending champion. CHEERING

That happened just about an hour ago.

Andy Murray is in a hurry. Taking the first set 6-1 and a break up in

the second. We can join this. The commentators on Centre Court Boris

Becker and Andrew Castle. ANDREW CASTLE: As characteristic in

this match, the exchanges in the forecourt have gone Murray's way. A

shrug from Bublik. He is forced into playing another shot. A rally of 19

shots, that one. No comparison will look favourable

for the Jeunghun Wang, including in career records. 651 matches won for

Andy Murray and just three for Bublik, who is new at this level.

Two of those were top 20 wins. He is 20 years of age. He has a lot of

firepower and has good technique. He has a lot going for him. The

question will always be, can you put it together in one go?

If you were the coach, coached Novak Djokovic to six titles. This sliced

forehand, cometh the word? I would go mad. I would savour every

forehand drop shot, pay me extra! The other area you would look at,

Boris Becker, is the serve,. Not so much the first, he has a beautiful

motion, powerful. The choice of second serve, really going for it,

most times. The percentage just low. Three challenges under the Hawk-Eye

system per set. If you are correct, you maintain that amount of

challenges, if you are wrong, you lose one. And he was... Just. Look

at Bublik. He goes down on one need. -- knee. He is a showman. Why not?

I am looking for the rappers. There are supposed to be two rappers in

the Bublik box. Two seats available, still. Maybe

they are late. Rappers have long nights. Spot the rapper. Anybody?

Do not tell me, another forehand sliced drop shot, at deuce. Maybe

the rappers went to the wrong box. Come on, Bublik, we like Andy Murray

play as defending champion, but we quite like this young man, as well.

What will he do next? I do not think he knows.

There is a little bit of good fortune in that, but even more of a

superb touch. That was probably four centimetres further behind than he

thought, Andy Murray, but it is gorgeous. I think he wanted to end

the game and put his racket there. He has got the touch.

Bublik seems to warm up on the server little bit. Much better. He

is orchestrating the crowd now. One set and a break down!

Sasha Bublik was described as interesting before the match by Andy

Murray and that is right. 20 years of age, this is his debut. He lost

in qualifying but got in because somebody pulled out. He got into the

main draw and he is enjoying his time on the big stage. He has had a

couple of wins which makes you take natives that he is part of the last

year, 205 in the world. Right now, 135 in the world. He is climbing

rapidly. And steadily improving. I like what I see. I do not know if

Ivan agrees with that! Bublik is talented, and interesting character.

Tennis needs characters. As long as the performance is the objective. He

has certainly got style. The substance, presumably, will come at

this level. Andy Murray's dad, up in the Royal box, dressed super-smart.

The defending champion a set and a break.

All of a sudden, he gets some of these. You get a different match.

But this hit landed on the commentary box with a boom. The

forehand looks effective. It is not a weak shot. Why would he go in with

the slice? If we were ever worried about Andy

Murray's hip, for me, that answered the question.

UMPIRE: Mr Murray is challenging the call. The ball was called out.

UMPIRE: Mr Bublik is challenging the call. The ball was called in. Andy

Murray has not served an ace yet, which is unusual, almost an hour on

Centre Court. Not by much. That was excellent

footwork by Andy Murray. Lovely dexterity in the hands,

especially on the backhand side. Andy Murray's box. They should be

satisfied with their man, so far. Performing well under pressure.

Andy Murray playing a player well outside the top 100 in the world. He

has won 129 matches and lost zero against players like this at Grand

Slams. Andy is number one in the world and

we are back to the big four because Andy is followed by Novak, Rafa

Nadal and Roger, all familiar names. That is easy power, and remember at

the beginning of his career, where he was happy to soak up the

pressure. When that changed, he started to produce his best tennis,

taking the ball on inside the baseline. His hand eye coordination

is remarkable. Against most of the big serve players he counterattacks

and reacts beautifully. You were coaching Novak three years.

You called that off in December. He has since said goodbye to the whole

team, which was a strange move as far as many were concerned, but he

has decided to do that. You coached against Andy Murray many times.

Captivating matches. Did you talk to Novak a lot about Andy's game or

focus on Novak's game was matter of course. But in the interests of

sportsmanship I am not going to tell the world how I told Novak to play

Andy Murray but we did have a good record. It is called preparing your

player for the best of their abilities. And the media analysis,

background checks, following your opponent through tournaments. Would

have known with a hip injury, a couple of days before. Those are the

did -- details that Ivan does, and Jamie does. A set and a break, Andy

Murray. The first match on Centre Court this year.

Well done. Another strong service game by Murray. OK, did Novak get

nervous playing against Murray, or more against Federer, more against

Rafa Nadal? You get nervous against everybody. Those players are human,

especially the likes of Murray and Federer.

UMPIRE: Mr Murray is challenging the call. The ball was called out.

Absolutely normal. Another low percentage shot by

Bublik. Behind the baseline, moving backwards.

The big difference between the top players and others is they really

have their game and every body adjusts to their game. Bublik and

many others find it difficult. Andy Murray, the defending champion, will

have to serve for the second set. Certainly an interesting contest.

Murray is in for an interesting match. Never really out of third or

fourth gear. His hip seems to be OK. He went through four rounds last

year before losing a set to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. I run my back if

you are injured would certainly help. On the left, his physical

trainer, we'll know more than anyone what is going on. You want to go

through the first week, if you are one of the favourites, as smooth and

quick as possible. Eventually you have to challenge and go four, five

sets. It happened to him last year. At this stage of the tournament, it

would be more reasons why he wants to go through today very smoothly,

just to give their hip more recovery time.

Let's see if there are some fireworks at the beginning of this

came from Bublik. Andy Murray serving for a two set lead. UMPIRE:

Let, first service. Well, that was interesting for two

reasons. He played the shortfall in and Murray probably did not think

the ball was coming over. He gave up the ghost on the run forward. Maybe

because he was surprised at the net call. I wonder if it was the injury.

Oh, dear! A little bit worried now. A little bit.

You receive. You give one of these talented youngsters a bit of a sniff

and they love it. Just a 90 mile an hour serve, not particularly to the

line. This is quite a tight game. Andy Murray with three break points,

Bublik. Wow, some theatrical shrieks! That

forehand error. Murray keeps it together.

Bublik has had five break points but taken none of them. Three in this

game in a row. It shows his excitement.

Oh, wow! What a forehand! Again, the decibel volley from Bublik went up

on his last forehand. Matched in complete silence by this piece of

work cross-court. He does not miss many of them. At that moment,

completely off the court. That is the sign of a champion.

Five straight points. Andy Murray recovers from 0-40 down. He is two

set up in defence of his Wimbledon championship at Wimbledon. SUE

BARKER: So impressive. Andy Murray on his way. We will be right back

with this one. Over on Court Number One, Venus Williams took the first

set. She has broken twice in the second. She is in charge. That match

over on BBC Two. This match is on Court Number Two. Our featured match

on the red button. Simona Halep a set and two breaks of serve up. That

match on Court Two. Over on Court three, Elina Svitolina in a tough

match. She has taken the first set 7-5. A wonderful story for her

opponent. She reached three Grand Slam doubles finals, gave up, went

off to play cricket and is now playing tennis again. The number

four seed has taken the opening set. You can see that on the red button

and on the website. Keep up to date with all of those matches. Everyone

enjoying the match on Centre Court. That is where we are heading right

now. So, here we are, day one at

Wimbledon. Just fantastic. 13 days of tennis. Just like the start of

the fantastical as you have been looking forward to. I hope you

enjoyed it, everybody. Andy Murray is looking to continue

his momentum. Trying to get the early break in the third set.

When he is walking like this, definitely not right.

After Bublik missed that shot, he almost ran into the ball boy. A nice

little low five, we call it. Number nine, I believe, double

fault. Ten aces. Driving from mid-court, the forehand

sliced drop shop playing a half-volley lob. What about the

basics! Not bad today. -- not there today.

The basics, on a break point commit you do not double fault. I am afraid

he has. 11 double faults. Only two sets and one game played. Only his

11th tour match. Certainly one to watch. We have seen a number of

youngsters we have not seen before. Medvedev is one.

And Zverev, your young countrymen. There is certainly a change in the

air. Yes, Sasha Zverev. Probably the best in his group. The match will be

called off now. The rain is coming down. The umpire will probably get

the players just to stay where they are. I do not think the roof will be

put across. If it does go across, it will be a lot quicker to commence

playing. We have had some new LED lights installed which warm up very

quickly. It will be a lot quicker operation. Probably about ten

minutes or so. We do not anticipate this will take long. The referee is

a former British Davis Cup player. He used to stand around the baseline

like you cannot leave. He played with Jonathan Smith in the Davis

Cup. We have seen so many difficult falls, including Jo Konta at

Eastbourne. She fell on her middle spine. Her thoracic spine was hurt.

I saw that and was really worried for a couple of minutes. She got up

and have side effects the next day. Here come the team. Clearly they

have got information that the next pulse of rain could be stronger than

this. They have got to regain the momentum with this sheet and pull it

over. That is the end of play just for the

moment. Andy Murray after an hour and 21 minutes, a set and 1-0 up.

Lots of double faults doing the damage for Bublik. He is

entertaining but I do not think he has enough to win this one.

Bad news that Nick Kyrgios was forced to pull out earlier on. The

tournament has to do without him. Hip problems, it would seem, for

Andy Murray. He is in control, the defending champion. Hopefully, more

tennis soon. SUE BARKER: What a disappointment

this is! Watching the weather forecast this morning there was no

sign of rain. Everyone sits and waits. This is the scene on Centre

Court. Everyone had linked under umbrellas. Outside, play is

continuing on many of the courts. Court 14 is still playing. There

they are. Play continuing. That suggests it is not very heavy but

protecting Centre Court and Andy and Sasha have made their way back to

the locker room. They do not seem to be too worried about the rain on the

outside courts. Plenty happening. That is the scene at Wimbledon right

now. So, while we wait for the players coming out on Centre Court

but let's have a chat with Boris and Andy. It is interesting that they

are playing outside, so, what is happening? Is it raining on Centre

Court only? That cannot be right. Is that the situation? That is the

situation. All the matches are on all of the outside courts. I do not

think you have too long a weight, which is good. It is a big relief to

all the Andy Murray fans that he is looking good. The beginning, he was

a bit testy. He was not sure. Some of the quality of his play, he was

more worried about his hip. He had opening break points on the serve of

Andy Murray. Once the match got going and he was more confident with

his movement, the Murray of old came back. He was up a break and we felt

sorry for Bublik. Seemed like it was lost in translation. He started to

regroup and play more consistent. A wonderful second set. The beginning

of the third set, Bublik decided to hit a couple of double faults,

especially on break point and that gave Andy Murray believed. For all

Andy Murray fans out there, it is looking good. We were thinking, how

many matches has Andy had in preparation for the budding? In the

second set, facing the three break points to how well did he play! Once

adrenaline flows injuries do not hurt so much was he has not had a

lot of tennis. We thought he was playing himself into form in the

French Open. Still world number one but had not won that match by his

very high standards. One was asking about how much it took out of him

winning five tournaments last year. He needed matches. Went to the

semifinal of the French Open and we thought this sort of famine for him

was over and then he lost to Jordan Thomson, who played great. He

definitely does need matches. Stepping back onto Centre Court as

defending champion, he is a man for this stage. If he can get two or

three matches under his belt, he can play into form. Winning breeds

confidence. You can strut your stuff when you have a few wins under your

belt. Every player is different. Some players skipped altogether the

grass court tournaments. Novak only played a late entry to Eastbourne.

He ended up winning it. Every player has a different preparation. Andy

Murray, he likes to play Queen's, win it, and come here as a strong

favourite. That has changed this year. He has played so many matches

in his life, so he never has a lack of matches. On the grass only one

prior to the championship. He could not play any exhibitions because of

the injury. There was a question of disbelief. He was not sure about it.

As the match progressed, he gained in stature and quality. In the

second set he started to play really good tennis. We will see some of

that good tennis. We were also worried how well he would be moving

back he was moving well in this match. He was moving well when he

had to move well. It was almost a question of when he was forced into

it, he moved well. Being on the court... You can probably see from

where you are. Between points, it is a bit of a struggle. He obviously

has a wonderful touch. When he pulled wide on that particular

forehand, it was remarkable how quickly he reacted. Who knows what

is going on? We do know he has had a couple of injections into the hip.

The last thing you need with an injury is a break. You are off court

and you call down. It is not easy to get yourself warmed up and back on

court. That is the last thing you need. The body cools down. You have

to warm up again, start all over again. If you have an injury scare,

that is the last thing you want. He is a veteran. I am sure they will do

everything to get him match fit. All his team must be saying, get through

a few more games and have another day with the physio and the train

and get yourself better for Wednesday. That is the plan. He

wants to go through the first couple of matches without being pushed too

hard. Obviously, opponents know about injuries. Everybody is online.

Everybody reads the press. Nobody knows how bad it is. The key is, he

needs to get through today quite smoothly and quickly, have a day to

recover and then be ready for Wednesday. It is lovely looking at

you both. What is happening on Centre Court? We are OK. It is a

lovely little box in here. We thoroughly enjoy being in this

office. It is so fantastic being back at Wimbledon and to have the

view that we all have. It is fantastic. The grass is pristine and

perfect. It is dressed up so beautifully. It is very tidy. The

desk in front of you was very tidy. We knew you were coming. We do make

sure things are just so for when Lady Sue turns up. On behalf of

everybody watching, including myself, thank you so much making an

effort. You will be back working in just a moment. We will hear more

from Boris and Andy as soon as the players walk back on court. Play is

continuing on other courts. We can just update you. Venus Williams won

the first set and is a break of serve up. That match is over on BBC

Two. Over on Court Two, the feature match on the red button. Simona

Halep is racing through. She has just one. I really good

start for the French Open runner up. Over on Court three, Elina

Svitolina, the number four seed in the Championships. It is 2-2 up

against Ash Barty from Australia. The number four seed a set up. That

match also available on the BBC Sport website. The good news on

Centre Court, Boris and Andy will be getting ready because the players

are back out. They have not been out long so I am not sure

let's rejoin Boris and Andy. The pimples on the bottom of the shoes

help you stay upright on the grass. Andy Murray I believe will come

straight out to serve. I think it is a minute and a half short of a warm

up. Is that right? Straight in? Straight in, here we go. A set and a

break or two sets and a break to Andy Murray has everyone settles

down. The grass court is already very

quick. That is without the rain. That was the most important point of

the match so far. Some rain coming down quite hard now. The players are

off. Here come the crew once again. Neal stubbly is the groundsman.

Security of the ball boys and ball girls pushed into the concrete area.

It always amuses me that the umpire has two stay up his chair. He is

pushed at the right speed in the right to Richard. Another break and

they have only been playing for a couple of minutes.

The weather forecast was at precisely 2:30pm there would be a

light shower for half an hour, and it rained at 2:31pm. The players go

through some double doors. You saw Andy Murray disappearing through

green double doors and into an antechamber. There are beautiful

glass doors, nicely engraved, you go through those two and up the stairs,

on the right, the left, normally the right, where the changing rooms are,

around, through fire doors and the like and you get to the changing

room. Everything close by. The Royal up there. You go past guests. Debra

Jeavons, one of the top sports administrators is there, talking to

the Duchess of Cambridge, who is a pretty good tennis player. I am

fairly sure she beats her husband soundly every time they play. And

had thought about trying to become a tennis player. I heard she is an

avid player, playing a couple of times a week. This is great for the

championship to have her. She is the patron of the All-England Tennis

Club now, taking over from Her Majesty the Queen, who held the

position 64 years, but I do not think any secret tennis was not the

Queen's favourite sport. No doubt about Kate's desire to play and to

watch the sport of tennis. She was reminiscing with Sue Barker that she

once came to Wimbledon and was thoroughly embarrassed by her father

when watching Pete Sampras and Tim Henman. Tim walked past and her

father said, "Hello, Pete." And it was Tim! The true athletes. Herds of

wildebeest majestically across the plains etc. Here they come in super

slow motion and on HD. Magnificent stuff. Make an assessment of this

young man Bublik. We talked about Sascha Zverev, one of the new

generation of players. From what you have seen of Sasha Bublik so far,

what do you think? I like the potential. I like his personality,

he is not afraid, he is a showman, he plays to the crowd and has

conversations with his opponent. They gave each other a high fives.

When they crossed. The umpire has not seen that before. From the

tennis point of view, I think he has talent and potential. Sometimes he

chooses the wrong shot at the wrong time, but that will come with

experience and many more matches. He has only played seven on the ATP

Tour. He has power, he is tall, he has a good serve, has good ground

strokes. Sometimes he does not know when to do what. Andy Murray seeded

number one at Wimbledon the first time. The Australian Open this year

was the first time he was seeded number one and he lost to Mischa

Zverev, Sasha's older brother. He will play Dustin Brown of Germany in

the second round. He knows how to play on a grass court, of course.

Further on, Fabio Fognini, who has beaten him this year and in the top

half of the draw, we are without Kyrgios. Lucas Pouille could be a

factor. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga is always a factor. You mentioned Shapovalov.

Shapovalov. It took me a week to say that. He is the Wimbledon junior

champion and a great lefty. Had a couple of good wins at Queen's. It

could be exciting for Andy Murray. Nadal in the same half. Djokovic and

Federer in the bottom half. A fascinating men's draw at Wimbledon.

SUE BARKER: Very disappointing. Everybody looking at the weather app

and mine says it should clear in six minutes. Sad scenes, seeing the

covers at Wimbledon on the opening day. It certainly was not for cars.

Hopefully play again soon but we can update you with results from earlier

and Dustin Brown, he defeated Rafa Nadal in 2015. He came through his

opening round against Susa in four sets and will face either Andy

Murray or Bublik. A big crowd favourite, Dustin Brown. From one

great entertainer to another, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. He came through

against Cameron Norrie, the British wildcard. Just too good for the

Britain today. A former semifinalist here. I am sure we will hear more

from Cameron Norrie, playing in his first Wimbledon today and hopefully

enjoy the experience. A celebration for Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. Sad scenes

on Court number three were of Nick Kyrgios. This when he was two sets

to love down. He had the trainer on court. We knew he had a hip injury.

He said it would not be good enough to try to win three sets which she

would have to do against Pierre-Hugues Herbert. Nick Kyrgios

very upset, having to pull out of Wimbledon. Kei Nishikori was in a

hurry in his match today, losing just four games.

Madison Keys is three. She had a minor wrist surgery after the French

Open to remove scar tissue and we wondered how she would get on. No

sign of a problem with the wrist. Madison Keys loves the grass courts.

Simona Halep loves the clay courts but today you would not know it.

Very good on the grass. Simona Halep, who was a finalist at

the French Open in the marvellous final against Ostapenko, she is

three. We will keep an eye on the clouds and covers at Centre Court

but it is the opening day and there are many ways to watch Wimbledon on

the BBC. We have every crosscourt, forehand, drop shot and overhead

smash covered on the BBC. You can watch action from 15 courts live and

on the website, BBC iPlayer and app on your mobile, tablet, games

console or connected TV. Press the red button on the TV remote control

and you will get coverage to six additional courts.

SUE BARKER: Bay waiting patiently on the hill. Rafael Nadal will be on

Court Number One in just a moment. He comes in having won his tenth

French Open. Here he is looking for his third Wimbledon title and Lee

McKenzie caught up with him. Heading into Wimbledon, would you

say it is the best physical shape you have been coming into this

tournament for a while? For a while, probably yes. It is true I did not

play on grass for a couple of years so that is always a challenge but I

think I worked well during the whole week and let see if I am able to

compete again. How long did it take you to get over your tenth title at

Roland Garros? Maybe not physically, but emotionally. Not only Roland

Garros that what had happened. All the place it had been intense.

Winning ten tournaments. And the tournament in Madrid, at home. It

was very special. I needed rest after and I needed to see why people

and to stay relaxed. I would have loved to be playing at Queen's, but,

it was a little bit too quick, the transition from clay to grass and

for my body, I needed to start low on the grass again, which is what I

did. I am sure you are sick of talking about the knees, but how

much do you have to protect yourself to get through a tournament like

Wimbledon, and do you do it by changing your game or

rehabilitation? I cannot change much my style, but at the same time, I

needs to be healthy. If I am not healthy, everything is more

difficult. The experience of injuries in my career, I tell you,

it is impossible to compete at the highest level if you have too many

problems. Is this the kind of place, once you get through the first

match, you can breathe a sigh of relief and assess where your mind

is, how your body is feeling? From the beginning, it is not like

another event, sometimes on clay, if I play normal, here, you do not know

what will happen. It is important to be through the first two rounds,

then anything can happen. Joining me in the studio is John Lowe eight.

Rafael Nadal, how incredible was that achievement at the French Open?

To win the same Grand Slam ten times? We'd never thought we would

hear that. It is impossible! The way he won, it looked impossible for him

to be beaten and you look at him and think he could win another two,

three. Also the Australian Open he played brilliantly. Only because of

Roger Federer, this majestic player, who put on the accelerator,

otherwise he would have won the first two Grand Slams of the year.

This is not his favourite surface, he does not trust it. He is not very

comfortable but he has won it. He has the players in the first rounds

who can cause problems and they seem to play the matches of their lives

when they play him. But this year has been such a good year, maybe he

thinks he can win it again. He seems in good shape physically. He seems

well and he has played so well this year, I think he has a great shot

here. He says he loves to get set for shots and on grass, the feet

move a little bit and you can slip. If you are not confident in your

stance it can affect you mentally? The first couple of rounds, as he

said, if he can get through them, then we will see. There is something

about him this year. I am not sure he had the belief he would get back

to where he has and he has done it well and quickly and his camp seems

confident. He has a good coaching setup with Carlos. I think he feels

he can go all the way. He would not enter if he did not think he could

win. Carla said he wanted him to be more aggressive and he has. He did

not just win the French Open, he demolished them all. -- Carlos. He

made it looked like a second-class field the way he took them apart. We

will watch to see how he gets closer to the baseline on grass and see if

he has the confidence of movement. He is serving well. His volley is

good. His slice has improved on this surface. If he wins a couple of

rounds, he will be dangerous. Rafa Nadal and Roger, they can have a few

months out of the game and it almost does you good, they come back

stronger. Federer, what he has done, he belongs on a different planet.

Rafer is up there. These players, a couple of years ago, did we think

they would be winning Grand Slams any more? Probably not. They are

number one and two players so far this year on form. He will look at

it and think, I have beaten everybody easily in the French, got

one slam under my belt and almost got another. Nobody thinks I can win

it. But he does, and that matters. When you look back 12 months ago,

Novak Djokovic came here holding all four Grand Slam titles. He is the

most extraordinary of the big four. I put Wawrinka in there, not on

grass. He is the wildcard in the tournament. We do not know which

Novak will turn up. He won Eastbourne, which was great, but his

year has been spotty. Some of the things he says in the press, at

Eastbourne, he said it is almost good I am not one of the favourites,

and will take things slowly. I am thinking it does not sound like a

Wimbledon winner. Maybe he is trying to take off the pressure, the great

champions thrive on pressure. Maybe this will be the tournament to get

it back but in one year, it is amazing it happened to Djokovic,

because he looked unbeatable. It shows mentally how important that

is. Everybody works on the physical side that the mental side is as

important, and it is for Andy Murray. We saw at Queen's when he

lost, he had no matches. Holdout of the exhibition matches but looking

OK and getting the job on Centre Court done. We are concerned about

Queen's. Not just the manner of his losing first round, he did that

before and got to the final but it was the way he lost. His forehand, I

have not seen it that bad in years. His shots were not penetrating. It

was concerning. He has had injury problems. If he gets through the

first couple of rounds, loves grass, his best surface, and once he gets

here with the crowd supporting him, he will be a big threat. It looks

like ground staff are coming on the outside courts and possibly taking

off the covers. Looking around the crowds, there are no umbrellas up.

The ground staff going on all of the courts. Certainly good signs we will

get place soon. This is Centre Court. A hive of activity. They will

be getting the cover off and, hopefully, they will get the players

on. The roof is staying open. This is the scene at Wimbledon and we

have so much tennis to look forward to. The British number one man is on

Centre Court. Jo Konta will be on court later. The question

surrounding Jo Konta is how she has recovered from the injury following

the fall in Eastbourne. Russell went to ask.

Good to see you here, looking fit and healthy, how are you feeling

after that horrible fall? It was a little bit of a nasty fall.

COMMENTATOR: Back did not look good. Watching it back it does not look

good, but the initial trauma of it on the court was also magnified

because of the shock of it and the way it felt when it happened and it

affected me the following couple of days, hence I could not continue at

Eastbourne but I am doing everything I can to recover well and making

sure I am mentally prepared. You play Hsieh Su-wei in a first round,

as you did in Roland Garros. It is exciting and another opportunity to

play against her. She is capable. A Wimbledon champion in doubles and

can play on grass and most importantly, I will be going in

there preparing well and trying to stick closely to the game plan and

most importantly enjoying being on court 11. Andy Murray said there are

drawbacks about being at Wimbledon as a British player where there are

cameras and fans around. Do you enjoy it? Do you find it a

distraction? I think it is a good problem to have, a positive thing, I

think. It is putting our sport on the map. And it is putting the

women's side a little bit more. I think overall it is an exciting

things. SUE BARKER: The women's game is so

exciting at the moment and Jo Konta talking about her opponent, Hsieh

Su-wei, not an easy match. A tricky player. Very tricky and not the draw

she would've liked. When she says she is looking forward to being on

Court One. She has to believe that, she has two embrace Wimbledon. There

were comments she made a week ago when she was a bit abrasive with a

reporter who asked a question he was entitled to and she got a bit

agitated. That is OK, but you have to embrace the situation like Andy

Murray does, like Tim Henman did. If you look at her drawer, 15 women can

win this tournament. No one can say there is a clear favourite. If she

plays the sort of game she can with her serve, movement and confidence

she has, she can be a big threat, but she has to believe she can win

it and she has to embrace the situation of being here with the

pressure of being a British player. You said there could be 15 who could

win it. We have done a brave thing, try to predict the last eight. There

it is. We can look at it. This is what we think might happen. We might

have to revisit this next Tuesday to see how far we go. Angelique Kerber

has not really proven herself here. Jo Konta we have put through to meet

Simona Halep. Very tricky. Hold on, where is Kvitova? This is not me,

can I tell you! This is not my choice. This is on the seeding, it

is not our projection. Kvitova would have to play Jo Konta. I am glad we

cleared that up. I was thinking, what has happened here? Unlike the

men, they go by the rankings. I am not sure Angelique Kerber would be

number one seed and Simona Halep number two had they looked at the

grass court play and what Kvitova has done, even though she has been

out so long, after being stabbed by an intruder. What a fairy tale

return. She said today in interviews that, or yesterday, people saying

she is a slight favourite, she said, I am not, I have not played enough.

I'm not sure. Winning the tournament a couple of weeks ago, and after the

experience she had, everyday, every tournament is a bonus after what

happened with her career almost ending and the shock of what

happened in that dreadful day. She might go out and be more relaxed. I

think she is a slight favourite. Venus Williams is floating around,

as well, so many that, on a day, they could win this, if they focus

and believe. Anybody could win from the pack. Jelena Ostapenko, the way

she won the French Open. She was good at Eastbourne, beaten by Jo

Konta, a great day for her, also beating Angelique Kerber on the same

day, but you get the feeling Ostapenko could move up a gear from

that and will be dangerous. I think so, and I do not think she will

have, after people win their first Grand Slam, all the stuff that comes

to them after and do not have time to recharge and they have another

Grand Slam coming and take months to adjust to winning a Grand Slam, I

don't think she is that type of person. She will go out there, see

the ball, hit it, go for winners. She is dangerous and I think she

will enjoy playing here and it would not surprise me if she won it. It is

hilarious, you came in and said where did you win your first

tournament? I won my first tournament at Roland Garros! She was

a former junior champion and it is amazing how they come back and prove

themselves again. They do, and we have the young Canadian in the

men's. Shapovalov. He has lost. It was a difficult draw. We met him at

Queen's and he is a superstar in the making. If he had got a break in the

draw here... He has a game built for grass. I miss that. I was looking

forward to seeing him. I think he will win a Grand Slam. Obviously not

here. But I think he is going to. We have so many young talented players

coming up and superstars at the top, but they will be nudging them and

trying to knock them off the throne as soon as possible. It is exciting,

the next-generation players. There are exciting players coming through.

Men's and women's. I was at the qualifying, doing TV, and you watch

the standard of play, and you go wow, they are coming up. Men and

women. Everybody believes now. They are fearless, the younger players.

They believe they can take on the big guns and beat them. There will

be nervous superstars looking over their shoulders the next year or

two, because they are coming. So many dangerous players in the draw.

Tommy Haas has been given a wildcard, which is great, 39 years

of age. He beat Federer in Germany. How dare he? The impossible, beating

Roger Federer on grass. You look at how old the players are, no

disrespect to Tommy, late 30s, no problem. They manage their careers

well. They have the diet, physio, training methods are so good. They

believe they can go on till their late 30s, no problem, and it is

great to see the experience. We have the youth coming in and the veterans

will not go away too easily. Exciting times. Exciting because the

good news is the players are making their way back onto Centre Court.

Back to Centre Court and, hopefully... There he is. Sasha

Bublik. Hilarious. He did interviews with Andy and Roger. He is a

character, a precocious talent. Andy getting the job done, two sets up.

2-0 up. Not moving probably as freely as we would like to see, but

it is great to see him out there. Impact is, he was hobbling around

between hitting the ball and sitting at the changeover and look down at

times and it was worrying. If he gets through this match, there is

not much doubt of that, sneaks through his second, I am sure by

then he will be ready to go, but not ideal preparation. They have a three

minute warm up. I will talk about Andy in a moment but the other news

today, Andre Agassi is here with Novak Djokovic. He has added Mario

Andretti. -- Ancic. He did not want to work with Boris any more. Marian

Vajda, who had been with him so long. And then brings in Andre

Agassi and Ancic. You can understand the team working. Agassi got back

from the doldrums and got mentally right. They look happy together,

that is good. We talked about Novak. It is the mind. His game, in a year,

has not suddenly disintegrated. His forehand and backhand are not

different. He is missing wall, because mentally he has lost

something, maybe that fight. The French Open, he went away so badly

in the third set, but a year ago as champion he would not allow that to

happen. They have a lot of work to do to get his mind right. It is the

belief. His game does not suddenly go away. Whether it was winning the

French, completing all four Grand Slams, or suddenly he relaxed, who

knows the reason, but it looks like he has mentally taken months.

Agassi, he will get into his head and tell him, come on, you were

champion, let's get back. You are better than these players. Get his

mind right. That is what they have hired him for, not to change his

game. Novak went to play at Eastbourne and met his first Eagles.

He thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Andy, all the British

fans want to get him through the first round and give him time to

give the hip a chance. As I spoke to Boris and Andrew Castle, it is not

ideal to have breaks in the matches where you go off because injuries

cool down and get worse. Absolutely. He has not had a situation like this

a while where he has had injury problems. He will want to get

through the match and do the treatment and see how his body

recovers, if he gets through this match, tomorrow, to see where the

hip is. It is not just the scoreline, which he is willing

comfortable, it is the pressure and nervous energy. See how he recovers

24 hours later. Hopefully he will be OK. He saved three break points in

the second set, just raised the level of his play. We worried about

the number of matches coming into this, but you'd never forget how to

win the big points. He is such a great champion. This is

his best surface. A champion like that, he has got his problems, but

look at the chap on the other side, playing against Andy Murray, number

one in the world, I have somehow to beat him. It is difficult. As long

as he manages his own side of the court, which he is doing well, his

attitude seems good today, he looks fine. He walks onto Centre Court, as

he says, and it makes you want to blame. You

do not need to find motivation. It is his home, where he has made his

name. That is what he is feeling. There is even Lendl. I like when he

wears his glasses because you do not know what he is thinking. -- Ivan

Lendl. Looking at the victories here. He was crying, Ivan Lendl.

There is such a strong bond between these two. Andy had lost a lot of

Grand Slam finals before he hooked up with Lendl and psychologically it

was the thing. We talk about the mental game and that is what was

missing. Ivan Lendl had been the same way, losing in finals before he

won the French against Jo. And he took it all in and when he won his

first Grand Slam, since then he has won too. I think he is going to have

a great Wimbledon. We can rejoin Boris Becker and Andrew Castle.

So, we have had our second delay on Centre Court. The first one 15

minutes and the second one half an hour or so.

A double fault is not that crucial. Having said that, 12 in two sets is.

That was better. 11 aces for bootleg. -- Bublik. The defending

champion always comes out and plays the first match at one o'clock on

Centre Court. It is a great honour. Boris Becker you have had the honour

of doing that on three occasions. You beat your opponent pretty easily

that time. I was looking at the record for defending champions. 2003

was the last time the defending champion lost.

Before that, Santana lost in 1967. That is not many. The defending

champion in control of this one. 2-1 up in the third set.

He was hitting his hip afterwards out of frustration.

UMPIRE: Mr Murray is challenging the call. The ball was called out.

It just caught the edge. Only his second ace of the match. A

champion's I, that is what it is called, Mr Bublik. You will get

there one day, hopefully. I believe it is Andy Murray's right

hip that is bothering him. I wonder if he is bothered with his serve, I

think he might be holding back with the explosiveness.

We have statistics for a lot of things but the amount of Paula

forehand drop shots we do not have. -- poor forehand drop shots. You

must play it in with the exact perfect weight and spin. Bublik has

not done that in this match. UMPIRE: Challenging the call. The

ball was called in. Mr Bublik has two challenges

remaining. The reaction of Andy Murray after

that important ball. Wants to finish the match today quickly.

Bublik Shaw has a big first serve. 13 aces. Make that 14.

Andy Murray still in control of this match will do they have had two rain

delays here. The first match on Centre Court in 2017. Roger Federer

is many peoples favourite for this event and why not? He has won 157

grass court matches in his career. In second place, the man in your

picture, Andy Murray. Obviously, when Andy was 15, he went

to Barcelona to learn his craft. I am told that grass is his best

surface. It is his most successful one. He has won Wimbledon twice. Got

an Olympic gold and one Queen's Club five times.

It is a dangerous business coming in on the backhand side. Gives a chance

to get back. Is it my eyesight or is the son

sneaking through the clouds? Getting brighter.

We spoke about the inconsistencies in the Bublik game. That was another

example. He has done this before. You can

tell. Certainly some concerns about Andy

Murray and whether he could take to the court with his hip injury. We

wondered if he was down on his service speed. We will illustrate

that for you in a second. That was a lovely shot. Still the

wrong shot to play. I am surprised Andy is still chasing these.

34 unforced errors is a not. -- a lot.

Do you think he spoke to his coach, his father, before hand? Saying, we

will lay the ball in short but not so short it is a winner. There he is

will stop every strategy as to be revised once the first set is over.

If it was good, you keep it. If it was bad when you change it. Here we

go. Andy married just making sure the ball had bounced twice before he

touched the net, if he was going to touch the net. A lot of backspin on

it. Bublik was going, did he touch the net? No. That is a devastating

return. It did not look much but that was a 130 mile an hour serve

and Murray knocked it back as if it were nothing. The game is virtually

over. Is he down on his first serve speed a bit? Looking back to last

year and the final where he lost to Milos Raonic. Into the second week

and slightly warmer conditions with the adrenaline flowing. The average

speed is 113 miles an hour. Only two and three quarters of a percent or

so. I think we are onto something. The difference is not much but it

adds up. Eventually, any opponent will read that and get them returned

more often than not. And it was much first serve was always his weapon.

It does make a difference. Relatively straightforward so far

for Andy Murray, the defending champion. He serves for this match.

Andy really feeling it now. He lets the arm there. A beautiful follow

through on the ground strokes. UMPIRE: Mr Bublik is challenging the

call. The ball was called in. He really went for the first match

point. Two more to go. Mr Bublik is challenging the call.

He knows that Andy Murray has won. Murray said this would be an

interesting opponent. He certainly was. Not quite enough substance yet.

Plenty of style from Andy Murray as he advances as defending champion.

An hour and 44 minutes of play. Two lots of rain delay, one of half an

hour, one of 45 minutes. He will be around for a while. Something in his

game is well worth watching. Errors creeping in. The shots are an issue.

We have seen enough from Andy Murray, knowing what he is capable

of. What do you make of that performance? We were not sure at the

beginning. We are much smarter now. I think he is fit enough. I think,

as the match went on, mostly into the body, into his hip, excellent

stuff. In her duties as patron of the all England lawn tennis club,

she'll be here a lot I am sure over the next two weeks. She will have

enjoyed that performance as Andy Murray makes his way. No doubt he

will know that his second-round opponent is Dustin Brown of Germany.

That would be an interesting contest. He has got some firepower.

Two years ago he came through qualifying, one around and then beat

SAR Nadal 6-4 in the fourth set. That is Dustin Brown, who is next

for Andy Murray in the draw. Plenty more tennis here on Centre Court and

around the grounds on day one of the Championships. Plenty of break point

opportunities for Bublik. He has certainly enjoyed himself on the

bigger stage. He did not take any of the break point. I think that was

probably the most important game of the whole match. He was 15-40 down

but Bublik did not convert. He took his first break points and went 3-1

and never really looked back. Not a good percentage with the double

faults. I like what I see with Bublik. He is talented and

promising. Nice to see you again, Boris. We will catch up soon.

Three-time champion Boris and two time champion Andy Murray trying to

make it number three. Straightforward in the end, an hour

and 44 minutes. Andy Murray is talking to Lee McKenzie.

A relief for many to see you at Wimbledon and safely through the

first round. How you feeling? Pretty good. In the last few days, I was

feeling better each day. Getting on the match court is different. The

intensity is higher. The adrenaline and stuff, it's sort of helps numb

some pain that you have. I moved well today. Yes. I thought I did

pretty well for the first match. It was three sets. I'm sure you were

hoping for a quick outing. When you see the rain the last thing you want

is another fault. I was not thinking too much about it. I felt pretty

comfortable underfoot. Normally the court is a bit lush and can be

slippery. I did not feel like I was losing my footing at all. With the

rain it was good we stopped when we did. The Centre Court was able to

try and we got the covers on pretty quick. Sasha Bublik is a real

character with a lot of potential. Not often you see a mid-match fist

pump between competitors. Some good rallies. I don't see that often. I

was chatting to him in the rain delay before we went back out,

chatting about Centre Court. We were talking a bit about the match as

well, which is pretty rare. He is a bit of a character, different from a

lot of the players. He tries different shots. I think the crowd

enjoyed the way he plays. Also his personality. Such is the love of you

at Wimbledon, the national press were even encouraging the British

public to rub a photo of you yesterday to get their healing hands

need to help you in your recovery. Before your match with Dustin Brown,

what will your recovery be? Does the British public need to get involved

in that? I will spend some time at my physio and get into the ice bath.

Tomorrow I will have a light practice and work on a few things

which could have been better. Dustin comes to the net a lot. Work on my

passing shots and lobs and those sort of things. He is unorthodox but

plays a bit more from the net than Sasha. The British public can stand

down. We will be putting away those photos of Andy because it sounds

like his physio has it under control. Obvious problem still with

the hip injury. Was not moving as well as we have seen in the past.

When you have an injury can write you need a quick match. He won

against Sasha Bublik who I am sure we'll hear more from. Everyone

delighted with the defending champion through to round two. The

opening day of the Championships. After the two briefed -- brief rain

delays, we are back out. A lot of big names still to come. We are

obviously showing all the tennis on BBC One. There are many ways you can

watch Wimbledon across the BBC. We have every crosscourt backhand, drop

shot covered on the BBC. You can watch action from 15 courts live and

uninterrupted on the website, I player and BBC Sport at your mobile,

tablet, games console or connected TV. Press the red button and he will

get coverage from up to six additional courts. -- you will get.

Let's update you on a couple of matches before we go to number one

Court. Elina Svitolina won the first set and she has just held serve in

the second set and is 6-5 up against Ash Barty. That is on Court number

three. On Court Two, Marin Cilic, another Grand Slam winner seeded

seven, up against Philipp Kohlschreiber, who plays so well on

the grass courts. Our featured match on the red button. We will keep you

up to date with those matches as they progress. We're heading to

number one Court. Rafael Nadal, who won the French Open for the tenth

time, he is up against John Millman. It has not been great for Hsieh

Su-wei at Wimbledon. He has not got past the fourth round since 2010.

Zverev is ready and up against John Millman. -- Rafa at Wimbledon.

John Millman has two options about his approach. He is playing the King

of clay. He can think he will be better off.

Or will he think of this is the moment of my life.

That was a well constructive point. Ended up hitting the volley.

2day the ball keeping lower couple of times a day that's why some

people saying that can be vulnerable in the first week of Wimbledon. Very

much so. When we sit here and try to work out

how Millman can have an impact in this match, we struggle to see where

the weapons are going to come from. A couple of errors on the forehand

which Millman will not be happy about. We suspect he will have to be

consumed by positive thoughts, and if that is to be so, it will be the

figures about Rafa Nadal's recent defeats here at Wimbledon, 2012,

2013, 2014 and 2015, losing to players below 100 in the world. So

get your money on that China I hope he's been reading the same notes as

you! But again, when you haven't got a big weapon to really put Nadal

under pressure, you feel like you've got to find some rid of your own. --

some rhythm. It is difficult to see how Millman can keep the points

short. JOHN INVERDALE: Like a batsman off

the mark, that will be a source of immense relief to Millman.

TIM HENMAN: I think the relief for a batsman is getting a run on the

board. The relief for Millman will be when he gets a game on the board.

A deft volley and then a very positive one to win the point. We

all know about Rafa's strength at the back of the court, but actually,

he's dot good feel at the net. If he can finish a point at the net on

grass, that's a positive sign. Pretty conclusive first couple of

games from Rafa. I suppose more to the point, Millman is not actually

in the match yet. To keep the cricketing analogy, Rafa

reaches his half-century with this match. This is his 50th game, going

back to 2003. There's quite a few self-inflicted wounds from Millman

at the moment. He's played and missed a couple of times.

After all his heroics in Paris, Rafa decided not to play at Queen's,

having initially entered there. So he has not had any actual match

practice on grass this year. This might be the perfect way to play

himself in. Tremendous rally! The slice on the

ball initially from Nadal, and then, Millman keeping the ball so low.

Rhydian to defence from Millman, because Rafa Nadal absolutely

crushed that shot into the corner. He did well to stay with it.

Great hands. Not an easy shot here, but Rafa has got soft hands for a

guy that's got so much power. You could see Millman's reaction

after that point, a big fist pump this early in the match, I think he

realises the importance of getting his side of the scoreboard is

working. And that shot, we ought to say, from behind Nadal, that's the

new Vista of number one court. And we probably should add, the

ever-changing vista. I'm sure we will have time to discuss the

current state of number one court, and where we're going in the next

couple of years. Tim personally is managing the whole project! Easily!

Great shot! Again, good use of the slice from

Rafa, but Millman was able to find the outside of the line.

And? Clock in the morning in Brisbane, or whatever time it is,

they will be pleased, because their man is in the game. To talk about

the weaknesses of Nadal is almost absurd, but if you do keep plugging

away at his backhand, because he tries to run around it so much, is

that do you think the main objective? It's certainly the wing

you're going to attack, because his forehand is one of the great shot is

in the history of tennis. If you look at Rafa, he is right-handed

fundamentally in everything else he does. So playing that shot, as a

lefty, your right hand plays an enormous part in the that's where he

is strong. For me, his backhand has improved an awful lot in the last

six months, he seems to be more aggressive, taking it earlier,

looking to drive the backhand crosscourt to then open up his

forehand. I don't necessarily say it's a weakness, but it's not as

strong as his forehand. So, Rafa comes bounding out for this

fourth game, his second service game of this match, and for the first

time in this match, the sun is out on Court No. 1. And it feels even

brighter as a consequence of all the roof work that's happening above us.

It feels more like Roland Garros or US Open.

Certainly, with the construction going on, and the roof almost taken

off at this phase, it can be a bit windy. You can almost hear it on the

microphones, the wind whistling around.

Pretty fierce hitting off the forehand wing from Nadal there.

Pretty straightforward hold for the Spaniard. Tim, most people watching,

wherever they may be, might say, a tennis court is a tennis court. The

dimensions are the same. Why is Nadal's game so suited to clay, and

less suited to the other surfaces? Really, in a nutshell, way he hits

the ball, technique which creates so much spin. On a clay court, got more

time to motherboard has not come off the court so quickly, but it bounces

higher, and he's able to generate so much racket head speed to make the

ball jump off the court. When you're playing against that on a

clay-court, because you don't always get even bounce, you are unable to

take the ball so only. That means you have to play Schurrle further

behind the baseline, and that opens up the angles, and when he can hit

with so much spin, he can take you so far off the court, and it's the

surface he was born and bred on, his movement is exceptional.

And the reality is that that game style, when you hit the ball that

aggressively, it's going to work on any surface.

I think Millman would like us to blame that one on the wind, up 30-0

on your serve early on in the match, it's so important that you don't

make unforced errors. Well, a which variety of shots from

Nadal, but Millman really the architect of his own downfall. And

Rafa, in complete control. Millman did very well to hold his previous

service game, when he was down 0-40. But there, up 30-0, we really needed

to keep the aggressive, consistent play, a couple of unforced errors.

We have seen a couple of drop-volley is from Nadal. It is a shot that he

can use well on grass. Because he hits the ball so hard, your opponent

can be pushed further and further behind the baseline. With this grass

court still relatively new, a bit of moisture in the grass, the ball is

not bouncing quite so high not as to change direction, it opens up the

front of the court. Well, that's a splendid sight on the

opening day of this year's Tampax. We are the court at the far end,

which has an open roof at the moment, but it will look very

different in a couple of years, when if we do get rain, we will be able

to play on under this smart new roof of Court No. 1. But for the moment,

it's not going to rain anyway. It's a waste of money!

Rafa was really cross about that, you could see. But well played,

Millman. And again, that's where you saw Rafa moving forward, it wasn't

so easy to change direction, and that's definitely the case on the

first couple of days. This court has not had any practice on, so it's at

its most Millman. -- at its most lush. I was going to

say to you at the change of ends - at what point, if you are in

Millman's position, do you say, this set has gone, I will just have a

swing now? But here he is now at 0-30 on Rafa's serve. Maybe that's

what he did? I think, from Millman's point of view right now, he's got to

fight 100% for every point. He's still trying to establish his game,

find his rhythm. See if he can have an impact - in ANY area. We were

saying it was Rafa's 50th match at Wimbledon - this is his 50th match

of the year. And Millman, not even into double figures yet. So he is so

lacking in match practice, it's not true, after a lengthy hip injury.

And we were talking so much about Andy Murray's hip in the build-up to

this year's tournament, but the hip injury is the scourge of the tennis

player, as rotation and movement is so fundamental. I think it is also

an injury which has become more common because the game is played

more open stance, sliding, facing the net, putting much more stress on

the hips and groin. Pretty average second serve here

from Rafa, straight into the hit zone for the Millman forehand, but

certainly, well executed. Is Rafa playing quite quickly, do

you get that impression? Obviously, the time between points

tends to extend when the pressure is on and the end of the match is

getting close, but at the moment, Rafa seems to be a man in a hurry.

And from nowhere, Millman has a break point.

Playing against a lefty, you feel in the ad court, you've got to try and

cover that one out wide. Well, a glimmer of hope there the

Millman, but only a glimmer. And he now has two serve to stay in this

opening set. There have been several unforced

errors already in this match from Millman and a couple of double

faults don't help his cause. Well, it was brilliantly worked all

the way through from Nadal until that last shot. There was one sliced

backhand there, and you can't imagine how many revolutions per

second that ball was spinning at. We had the most magnificent view of it,

and it was extraordinary. TIM HENMAN: Rafa is capable of

putting so much spin on the ball both ways. As you say, on the slice,

he really does cut underneath the ball to get that excessive backspin

on it. That's the way to do it. Very

emphatic opening set of Wimbledon 2017 from Rafael Nadal.

SUE BARKER: This was out on Court 17. You can see that Denis Istomin

looked as if he had injured himself. In the end he got the trainer on

court and was forced to pull out. Donald Young was 2-1 up and a break

of serve up, but Denis Istomin was forced to withdraw from the

championships because of a knee injury. Donald Young will go through

to face the winner of the game between Rafael Nadal and John

Millman. Good news as on Centre court Andy Murray won his opener.

There was also lots of talk about whether he would be able to play and

how bad his hip injury was. But he got the job done in straight sets

against the very talented and precocious Alexander Bublik. In the

ladies Championships the five times winner Venus Williams seeded ten at

these championships went through in straight sets against a very

difficult opponent from Belgium. She was pushed in both sets, but she

eventually triumphed in both sets, 7-6, 6-4. What a way to finish.

Venus Williams round to around -- through to round two. Elina

Svitolina came through against a very entertaining player, Ash Barty,

winning in this second set tie-break. The tennis was absolutely

superb from both players. That is what it means to the number four

seed. She knew what a difficult opponent she faced today. Ash Barty

had reached the final at Edgbaston. She is through in straight sets and

her impressive year continues. Over on BBC Two on centre court Petra

Kvitova is coming back from an horrific stabbing from an intruder

in December. She only played at the French Open and at Edgbaston. She

has broken back in the first set against Johanna Larsson. That match

is on BBC Two. On Court number two is Marin Cilic. He has taken the

first set from Philippe Kohlschreiber. He is very difficult

to be on grass. That is also available on the red button. That is

what is happening elsewhere. Back we go to court number one.

What you know with John Millman is he is always going to try his best.

He is a gutsy competitor and he gets the most out of his game.

JOHN INVERDALE: Rafa is a colossus in the tennis world, the sporting

world. It is hard to remember a time when he was not playing. The current

crop of players, it is hard to imagine an era, it almost feels as

if they must have played against Rod Labour because they have been around

for so long. Rafa played his first Wimbledon 14 years ago in 2003 and

Britain's Lee Childs gave him a hard match. Rafa was 11 years old, wasn't

he?! He then lost to a tidy player in the

third round. That was his first foray into Wimbledon. Federer is 35

and Rafael Nadal is 31 and he is much more part of Andy Murray and

Novak Djokovic's age. Roger Federer won that year when Rafael Nadal

played for the first time. And here is another Aussie coming

off second best at the moment, John Millman. When you reflect on the

results of 2017 it feels like the clock has been turned back five

years. You had that period of dominance with Federer and Nadal and

then you moved to Djokovic and Murray getting through to the last

three last year. But it is amazing how well those two have played and

performed this year in the biggest events. Millman was talking to the

umpire at the last change of ends about something. Someone has brought

on an Elastoplast or whatever it might be. You are no at home if you

play tennis. A blister on your racket hand is not helpful in a

match. You get blisters in other places like your feet and you can

take them. But in the palm of your hand with the sweat and the grip, it

is very difficult to sustain, especially in the middle of a match.

It would have been nice to see the hawk-eyed view there, but you

smashed the TV before we started, John! Not in anger I hasten to add.

As this is a public forum I would just like to correct that for the

record. Broke it, not smashed it. Tim said, I cannot see the TV

screen, could you move the stats screen in front of it. I said, of

course, then I dropped it. That is what happened. It was fair enough

what I said. John Millman would not mind a few

more games like that. And more with the crowd. They want to see a

contest and they also want to see a lot of Rafa. For a lot of people it

is perhaps the one visit to Wimbledon, maybe ever, and they get

to see one of the greatest players of all time and they do not want to

see him here in an hour and a half. That was a great shot. You heard

John Millman say too good. In fact he almost said Toogood before Nadal

had hit it. Millman would like Nadal to miss a

couple of more like that. Asus three and four of the match so

far. We do not think about Rafael Nadal

as a serve of Asus like we do with other people. In the league table,

where does he say? On the serve a long way down. There are a whole

host of people who would serve better, but it is about the one, two

punch, especially being a left-hander. He is swinging it out

wide to the right-hander and if they have got a two-handed backhand, that

is where they are susceptible to the reach. He is serving 66% first

serves, which is quite good. In this draw there are probably 20 or 30

guys who serve better than him, but the combination of serve and first

forehand is good. There is a lot of debate going on here. I am not quite

sure what about. Rafa is having his say. Millman was looking bemused.

The umpire's microphone is switched off so we cannot hear what is going

on. Any guesses? I am wondering whether they forgot the ball change

but I do not think they did. If they forgot the ball change, would it

require a meeting of the UN like this? I wonder if he has got a

blister that he has got some blood on the balls. A trainer came onto

the court and then went off. And we are none the wiser. If we are

brutally honest, we have not got a clue. But we will work on it. We

will try and find the answer. There was a very polite meeting and then

everyone ran off. Meanwhile, back at the game... Nadal is still talking

about something. We are a ball person short at Rafa's end.

Rafa will want his towel at both sides!

So now the ball girl has gone to the other side, but Rafa did not ask for

his towel. Perhaps not the most conclusive of

volleys, but it did the job in the end. I am just hearing that one of

the ball boys is being treated by a trainer at the side of the court,

but I cannot tell you any more than that.

Millman was utterly stranded there. Which way shall I go?

Those ground shots that Millman hit there, is that the kind of position

that you, for example, would have gone in behind? The reason why that

was effective is because he got a defensive reply and he was hitting

the short title on the baseline. When he gets pushed five or six feet

behind the baseline, that is when he is going to be less effective. To

take the ball early against Nadal is going to be very difficult.

Oh, what a winner from a great angle from Millman and then Nadal was all

over it! And just look how immaculately he plays this shot

here. 4000 revolutions a minute that ball

was going at. It was just brilliant. The ball boy

is backed by the way. That must be a contender for the

longest rally at Wimbledon so far I think.

34 shots of quality hitting and to finish with a winner like that down

the line, impressive science. He is vulnerable in the first week

of some tournaments. At 0- 13 Millman might have fancied

his chances. Against the big players games can

just slip away from you very quickly. Especially on a grass court

and only a half a chance. But you do feel that at any point

once it has got into its rhythm, you have to play twice against Rafael

Nadal. Millman hit some great points there, but Rafael Nadal was still

able to stay in the rally. Well, did not see that coming. A

grunting rally from the two of them. There are a posse of Aussie fans

encouraged by that. And all credit to Millman. You can see by his body

language that he is fighting for every point, every shot. And he got

his reward. Some great hitting from the back of the court. It was Nadal

who ended up making the unforced error here, wide on the break point.

He was just about to say something bad, but mercifully we cut away to

the Aussie posse. And back on serve and you are kind of neutral again

now. But he has to hold serve at 3-3. That is when you perhaps start

thinking, will this guy go away, please? For me that is one of the

areas where Nadal is so impressive. The way that he is able to put

things behind him. He plays every point as it comes and he does not

get frustrated with what has gone on before. That ability to deal with

adversity. At this stage in the tournament dear against break, that

will not upset him. He is relentless on every point.

That is just the kind of error he does not want at this stage. That is

right, he has got to win the point somehow. He has hit the first serves

and has got the short ball. He did not do enough with the approach. A

missed return and suddenly you are thinking 40-0. He has to work hard.

It is those small margins that mount up between the two players. Do you

think of it in those terms? Because now we are back at 30-30.

Players always talk about playing every point. There is the scoreboard

pressure and those first two point of every game I very important and

you have an opportunity to dominate the point. He would have felt he

should have won the second point in this game. The second serve and

30-30 is a different complexion. And suddenly it exactly the scenario

that you are describing. Leyton Hewitt on the right and Jason

Stoltenberg on the left. Well, Millman bangs the ball into

the ground. That was a game he felt he should have won. As it is Nadal

is very much in control now. Is Leyton Hewitt still the Aussie Davis

Cup captain? He certainly is. He has a semifinal tie coming up. Nick

Kyrgios pulling out today. He would not have been pleased to see that.

I'm sure Millman, when he hit that backhand, thought, that's a good

shot. And then when it came back maybe not such a good shot after

all! When the scoreboard is like this, you get the chance to try

these shots, and when it comes off like that, it increases your

confidence - if that's possible, in Rafa's case.

Oh, the angle of that! We talked about the angles that Nadal is able

to get on a clay court. On a grass court, that's pretty impressive.

Well, he won't he is thinking about it yet, but he could possibly afford

just a moment figures into the future, and wonder about playing

either Donald John MacKay or Denis Istomin in the next round. In the

quarterfinals, it could be Marin Cilic, who was the favourite before

the tournament started. This man in your picture is striking the ball...

For a guy who hasn't played a proper match on grass this year, he'll be

pretty happy with the way things are going at the moment.

TIM HENMAN: Very much so. You touched upon some of the results

Rafa has had here in the last three or four years, and he's come unstuck

against some tricky players - Lukas Rosol, Dustin Brown, Steve Darcis,

real shot makers. But today against Millman, it gives in the opportunity

to get that with, and with the confidence of his results in the

past six months, he will feel very good at this stage of where his game

is at. JOHN INVERDALE: Uncle Toni on the

left there. We talk about him all the time in the context of Rafa. At

a time when Djokovic is now linking up with Agassi, and we keep talking

about the relationship between the top players and their backroom

staff, that continuity has been a key element in Nadal's success. It

certainly has, and it's horses for courses. Some people like that

continuity - I worked with just three coaches in my professional

career. I think the continuity with Uncle Toni is going to continue.

Carlos Moya coming on board, starting at the beginning of the

year, and there is probably nobody outside the team who knows Nadal's

game better than Carlos Moya. Both brought up in Majorca, activist many

times when Carlos Moya was a professional player. -- practised

many times. Well, Millman was a bit of a sitting

duck there. But you've still got to make the shot. It was a great pass

from Nadal, but Millman again had the opportunity with the approach

shot - just not quite doing enough. UMPIRE: Game, Millman.

JOHN INVERDALE: I'm not sure his body position was exactly right for

that shot! And again, I think we're going to have to blame the swirling

wind! Out on Court No. 1, without the total coverage of the roof.

Well, he's made Rafa serve out this second set. And Millman has broken

him once already this set. And he's wiped down in front of our

commentary box, and he was slapping his thigh then, saying, come on!

That was great hitting, until, after that pounding from Nadal, Millman...

He's smiling. But he's secretly thinking, firstly, it could have

been a lot worse. What are you supposed to do when Nadal is hitting

it that well, from side to side to side to side? I think he will have

been hoping the umpire might have counted him out!

So, two set points for a presets to love lead. Rafael Nadal, king of

clay, master of grass today. SUE BARKER: Rafa, very much in

control of this match, losing just four games, following on from his

impressive display at the French Open. We will be right back with

this match in just a moment. On Centre Court earlier, the defending

champion, Andy Murray, made a successful start to the defence of

his title, defeating Alexander Bublik in a very entertaining match.

Murray will have been delighted to get through that match in straight

sets to give his hip injury a little bit more rest before he's back on

court on Wednesday. And Vince Williams is also through, the number

ten seed, out on Court No. 1, was up against a very tricky opponent,

Elise Mertens of Belgium. And she was made to fight in both sets,

coming through the first in a tie-break, winning the second 6-4.

So, Venus Williams, semifinalist last year, is through.

But the five-time champion is facing a wrongful death lawsuit following a

car crash which she was involved in last month. After the match, she was

asked in a press conference how she had been coping following the

accident. Having gone through all the things you have, what mentally

and physically effect it will have on you, when you're just trying to

be a tennis player? Have no idea what tomorrow will bring, that's all

I can say about it, that's what I've learned. I saw that you wrote on

your Facebook some very heartfelt words about the - is there anything

else that you would want to say about that? There are really no

words to describe how devastating, and... Yeah, I'm completely

speechless. I mean, I'm just... Before we take any further questions

for Venus, I would ask you to respect her wishes on this. A very

emotional Venus Williams, saying, devastated and heartbroken,

following that car accident last month. Well, she will be back on

court on Wednesday. Before we rejoin Rafael Nadal, I can take you around

a few of the matches, starting on Centre Court. This match is

currently on BBC Two, Petra Kvitova is a set and 3-2 up against her

Swedish opponent. That is on Centre Court. Over on Court No. 3, Aljaz

Bedene, in a first set tie-break against Ivo Karlovic. And it has

gone the way of Karlovic. So, Aljaz Bedene up against it against the

giant Croatian. And back we go no to Court No. 1, we've just missed one

point. JOHN INVERDALE: That was a great

shot. It just wasn't in! Oh! Well, you thought the lob was

going to win it, but it wasn't quite hit well enough. Then you thought

the smash would win it - and that was hit well enough. And then, that!

That's good enough! You have just got to say, too good.

TIM HENMAN: It seems that times that Rafa is returning the first serve

better than the second. I know Rafa missed that, but the

speed with which he got across the baseline to be in a position to hit

that shot, it never ceases to amaze. That's ridiculous! That actually is

ridiculous! You knew what he was going to do half a second before he

hit it, but just look at this. The execution, this ball is coming

pretty quick, and Nadal just chops across it. You can see when it

bounces how much side spin is on it. Well, Nadal was goading Millman a

bit there. So, we have a break point opportunity, right at the start of

the set. An amazing array of stroke play from

Nadal. And he's coasting out of the second round. -- coasting now to the

second round. When we look at the Dell, where he is hitting his second

shot in the rally, after the first serve he's really getting up onto

the baseline, and then, when you see the width he's able to get with the

forehand mainly, three quarters of his second shots of the rally with

the forehand, and then he's able to go both ways. When you are trying to

run down those shots, which are mainly forehands, you've got a lot

of court to cover. Well, Millman has been here before,

and Millman has shot the door emphatically on several previous

occasions. Let's see what happens here.

REFEREE: Warning, Mr Nadal. Well, it won't be the first that he gets at

Wimbledon this year. And that's basically what Rafa

thought of his time violation. And I think it was a correct call. Rafa

had been trying to get a couple of extra balls from the ball kid, and

generally taking a little bit too long between points. Just keep him

on his toes, speed things up a little bit.

Ace number five from Nadal. But it is so random, Tim? If we had a stop

watch here, the variation in times between the points... That's almost

brilliant. Good response again from 0-30. But

you're only going to stop this when you put a shot clock at the back of

the court, starts at 20 seconds, and counts down, and everybody knows

where they are? That would make it much more easy to follow. And it

would add to the drama. I'm not altogether against it, but I think

it needs to be trialled. They're going to trial it in the American

hard court season, but the problem is, it's going to be tested at a

lower level, when you don't have the crowd watching. And I think one of

the areas that will be difficult is when you've got a big crowd. Why

does that make a difference? I think there can be crowd interference,

when you've got a home player and a sort of enemy on the court, if you

like. And also, I'm interested to see who will be policing it, because

the umpire has got enough to manage as it is already. Well, it will

almost be a fourth official, won't it, somebody in his ear telling him

what's going on? When you say you're not altogether against it, does that

mean you're not altogether in favour of it? I would definitely like to

understand how it would work. For me, one thing that definitely needs

to be changed is, 20 seconds in the slams is too quick. It's got to be

consistent with the tour. 25 seconds is the right number for me in

professional tennis - but it needs 25 seconds. Hawk-Eye's first

involvement in this match, I think. Nadal doesn't seem to hope for,

strolls to the other! Well, he's done it again. Millman

had very few options once he got there anyway. Talk about Hawk-Eye,

Hawk-Eye has been an absolutely fantastic addition to our sport,

there's no doubt about it. Another area we can look at is when a match

starts. Talk about a one o'clock match. Yeah, it was 12 minutes past

before a ball was hit. I quite like it in other sports, Champions League

final, or rugby international, when it says it is going to start at

7.45, it starts at 7.45. That is not possible necessarily in all tennis

matches unless it's the first match. Millman is challenging this one.

Some lovely striking of the ball in that rally. We have had some really

good rallies in this match, but Nadal has come off best in most of

them. Unless you play the first match of the court, you don't know

what time you're going to start. Get rid of the knock-up, John? In

athletics, there is a warm up track. You warm up there, you come on here,

you play. As there is in tennis. Millman throws the ball away in

annoyance. You sense that he thinks it is all over now, with two breaks

of serve. So, the tennis world, according to John Inverdale and Tim

Henman, would get rid of the warm-up,, with five seconds with a

shot clock. Yeah, and you also then enforce it. First time would be a

warning, second time would be a point, third time is a game. Fourth

time, you're thrown out of the tournament. Fifth time, you lose

your passport! It's very simple! But the premise for doing all this is to

make the game a better product for the widest possible constituency.

That's where everyone's coming from, this is not some kind of Draconian

penalties which people are seeking to impose just out of wilfulness.

It's actually to make the product better. Absolutely. What about the

break at the end of the set, when players popped off to have a change

of clothing? Well, maybe you have to do that, but what you don't need to

do is, in a tie-break, and at the end of the first game, to waste 30

seconds having a glass of water. There are so many areas. Suddenly, a

three and a half hour match becomes two hours 45 very quickly - and

television would love that. And Rafa is definitely getting his

skates on now. JOHN INVERDALE: Rafa at a rate of

knots now. TIM HENMAN: You feel he is going through the gears, having

had no grass court matches during this tournament. I think he will be

happy with the way he has been able to go out and experiment with a few

shots. Millman saw that one coming for

once. I think Rafa got caught in five Mins there.

One thing I have been impressed with with John Millman today is his

attitude. He has never got down on himself. He has played hard for

every point and every game that he has got on the scoreboard. It is not

going to make any difference in the end result, but he has had the right

attitude. Oh, it was in the hitting zone, but

what a hit. It is quite easy when you don't care where it is going.

Well played, John Millman. Talking about our debate about how

long people are taking between points and how long each player is

taking between points. It is an average of 23 seconds for Rafael

Nadal. At the start of the game he was rushing and he was going from