Tennis-Alcaraz, Sinner and Gauff open Wimbledon campaigns in style, injury rules out Sabalenka

Tennis - Wimbledon - All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain - July 1, 2024 Spain's Carlos Alcaraz celebrates winning the first set during his first round match against Estonia's Mark Lajal REUTERS/Hannah Mckay

LONDON (Reuters) -For the last 50 weeks, Carlos Alcaraz knew the exact date and time he would walk back on Centre Court to open the defence of his Wimbledon title and the Spaniard kept his goosebumps in check on Monday to book his place in the second round.

While injury woes have plagued many of the players who have also hoisted the Challenge Cup in recent years -- with question marks over the participation of Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray -- Alcaraz showed he was fighting fit despite a less than ideal build-up to the grasscourt major.