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9.20am: Djokovic is the huge favourite to win at Wimbledon this summer, and doing so will see him join Federer and Rafael Nadal on 20 Grand Slam titles.
The Serbian top seed has won both the Australian Open and French Open already this year and is setting his sights on a Golden Slam, which would require all four Slams as well as winning gold at the Tokyo Olympics.
“Everything is possible, and I did put myself in a good position to go for the Golden Slam,” said Djokovic.
“But, you know, I was in this position in 2016 as well. It ended up in a third-round loss in Wimbledon.
“This year we have only two weeks between the first round of Wimbledon and the finals here, which is not ideal because you go from really two completely different surfaces, trying to make that transition as smooth as possible, as quickly and efficiently as possible.
“So obviously I will enjoy this win and then think about Wimbledon in a few days’ time. I don’t have an issue to say that I’m going for the title in Wimbledon. Of course, I am.”
9.10am: It’s a welcome return for the Wimbledon Championships, which was forced to take a year off in 2020 due to the global coronavirus crisis.
It was confirmed last week that 50 per cent capacity crowds, up to 21,000 fans, will be allowed into the grounds throughout the two-week tournament.
The men’s and women’s finals on Centre Court next month will be allowed to welcome a full capacity of 15,000 spectators each.
“When Wimbledon was cancelled last year, that was a shot in the gut for our sport. A terrible time,” said three-time Wimbledon champion John McEnroe. “So to have it back is incredible.”
The grass-court Grand Slam gets underway on Monday (June 28) and will conclude on Sunday July 11.
9am: Good morning and welcome to Express Sport’s live coverage of the 2021 Wimbledon draw.
The men’s and ladies’ singles and doubles main draws will both be conducted this morning, getting underway at around 10am UK time.
Novak Djokovic is the defending men’s champion from 2019 after Wimbledon was cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Djokovic got the better of Roger Federer in a five-set thriller, the longest ever final in the history of the 144-year-old Grand Slam.
In the ladies’ draw, Simona Halep is the title-holder having beaten Serena Williams in the final two years ago.
Halep missed the recent French Open due to a torn calf muscle having not played since retiring against Angelique Kerber at the Madrid Open on May 10.
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