Carlos Alcaraz said Wimbledon’s Centre Court is “the most beautiful court that I have played on” after brushing off the cobwebs to beat Estonian qualifier Mark Lajal in the opening match of his title defence. 

The Spanish third seed was taken to a tie-break in the opening set and trailed 2-0 against his unheralded opponent in the second but held his nerve to win 7-6 (7/3), 7-5, 6-2.