Novak Djokovic match at Wimbledon rocked by frightening scenes

There were scary scenes in the crowd during Novak Djokovic's win over Soonwoo Kwon at Wimbledon on Monday after the match was delayed twice when spectators required medical attention.

Seeking a fourth successive Wimbledon title, Djokovic was made to work for his 6-3 3-6 6-3 6-4 victory over Kwon under the centre court roof on a rainy opening day.

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The No.1 seed notched up an extraordinary new milestone, becoming the first player (man or woman) to record at least 80 singles victories at all four grand slams.

However the World No.3 was made to work for the victory and battled through a second set stumble in which Kwon managed to level the match.

The second set was suspended on two separate occasions when spectators fell ill and needed urgent medical attention.

The first occurred with Djokovic down 0-1, with four medical personnel rushing to the spectator's aid.

Djokovic and Kwon both returned to their courtside seats to wait out the delay as the spectator received help.

Play got back underway after a five-minute delay but was then disrupted again by a second incident in the crowd.

This time an elderly spectator was assisted from the stands by medics for further attention.

Viewers watching the action were left stunned by the scary scenes.

Novak Djokovic receives warm welcome from Wimbledon crowd

Djokovic has soaked up the love again on his winning return to Wimbledon and said it was all a far cry from the way he felt in Australia at the start of his traumatic year.

The six-times champion was all smiles on centre court on Monday after shaking off the ring rust and indifferent form to still kick off his title defence in record-breaking mode.

His feat had him warmly applauded, leaving him to reflect on what he'd expected after a dramatic year in which his anti-Covid vaccination stance has made the 20-time grand slam champion such a polarising figure.

"I was very pleasantly surprised, I mean, in a positive way. I felt support," Djokovic said.

"I thought they were very fair to me. I enjoyed my time very much on the court."

In commentary for BBC, John McEnroe suggested Djokovic might have felt "bummed out" after his experiences in 2022, which started with his detention before the Australian Open and subsequent deportation.

"Yes and no. Yes, because I've experienced something that I've never experienced in my life in Australia," Djokovic said.

"So this post-Australian period of next several months was challenging emotionally for me.

"The sensation coming back on the court with everything that happened post-Australia, particularly first few tournaments, was a different feel. Not very pleasant to me."

"(But) in terms of my motivation on the court, it hasn't changed much, to be honest.

"Right now, I don't feel the traces of that any more. I move on."

Djokovic set up a dream second-round date for Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis, who beat Poland's Kamil Majchrzak in straight sets.

In the tournament's first big shock, seventh seed Hubert Hurkacz - a semi-finalist last year and recent winner at Halle - lost 7-6 (7-4) 6-4 5-7 2-6 7-6 (10-8) to Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.

Carlos Alcaraz, the youngest man in the draw at age 19, clawed back from two sets to one down before finally subduing big-hitting German Jan-Lennard Struff 4-6 7-5 4-6 7-6(3) 6-4.

And French Open finalist Casper Ruud battled through his opener for a maiden Wimbledon win, beating Spanish grinder Albert Ramos-Vinolas 7-6 (7-1) 7-6 (11-9) 6-2.

with AAP

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