What a shower! Delays leave fans fuming

WIMBLEDON postcode SW19 stood for Soggy and Wet yesterday as the tennis extravaganza began with drizzle and the “longest ever” queues – after the rain held up play on court

- Cyril Dixon

Celebrities and tennis lovers watched as three groundsmen waved leaf blowing machines at Centre Court’s turf to dry it out, after the roof was closed.

Some day one spectators grew irate as Novak Djokovic’s match against Argentinian Pedro Cachin was held up for more than an hour.

A slow handclap by the crowd and a Mexican wave were followed by one fed-up fan yelling: “It’s going to be a long day!”

At one point, the Serbian world No2 tried to help by mopping up moisture with his towel.

Djokovic, 36, said later: “It was definitely frustrating for the crowd waiting for us and us players…

“Conditions were not great, obviously still slippery under the roof. This is the temple of tennis.