Novak Djokovic is the best tennis player in the world. The 2015 Wimbledon winner proved that with conquering Brit James Ward in his first victory in his defense of his title Monday.
Halfway to becoming the first man to complete a calendar Grand Slam since Rod Laver in 1969, the world No. 1 and Wimbledon top seed won in straight-sets Monday, prevailing 6-0, 7-6 (7-3), 6-4 on Center Court in just over two hours.
Ward fought back to level at 3-3 in the second set after losing the first nine games, but there was a gulf in class on the opening day of the tournament as top seed Djokovic set up a second-round encounter with Adrian Mannarino, the Frenchman himself having knocked out a home favorite in Kyle Edmund.