Roger Federer was well short of his best as the seven-time Wimbledon champion advanced to the second round with an uninspired 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (7/3), 6-3 victory over Argentina’s Guido Pella here.
Federer has been plagued by injury problems this year and the world number three lacked rhythm and confidence in his opening match at this year’s grass-court Grand Slam.
The 34-year-old, without a major title since 2012, will play British qualifier Marcus Willis for a place in the last 32.
“I was telling myself how nice it was to be back at Centre Court. I’ve worked so hard since February to be ready for Wimbledon,” Federer said.
“It was a fun match, it was close, maybe exactly what I needed. “We’ll see if I’m fully fit as I go further in the tournament, nobody knows, not even me.”
Federer’s 303rd Grand Slam singles victory moved him within three of Martina Navratilova’s record and gave him 302 more wins than world number 706 Willis has managed.
Willis, 25-year-old tennis coach, defeated Ricardas Berankis, ranked 652 places above him, to win his first ever Grand Slam match and Federer is as fascinated by his fairytale rise as the rest of the tennis world.
“I was very intrigued about his story. It’s exactly what this sport needs when guys come from nowhere,” Federer said.
“I’m really excited to play against him. It’s a huge moment for him, his story his unbelievable. He was playing club tennis I heard.”
Bidding to win Wimbledon for a record eighth time, Federer would become the oldest man to triumph at the All England Club in the Open era and the oldest Grand Slam champion since Ken Rosewall in 1972 if he lifts the trophy in two weeks time.
Even in the twilight of his career, Federer’s pedigree is head and shoulders above most opponents not named Novak Djokovic, but the contrast was especially striking against world number 52 Pella.
MURRAY, WAWRINKA WIN
The first all-British men’s match at Wimbledon in 15 years went as expected. Andy Murray was kept busy for 102 minutes by liam Broady in winning 6-2, 6-3, 6-4.
Murray wasn’t broken, and broke Broady, ranked 235, four times in their first meeting.
“It’s hard playing someone you know, but I did OK,” Murray said.
Fourth-seeded Stan Wawrinka was extended to a fourth set before subduing American teenager Taylor Fritz to reach the second round at Wimbledon. Wawrinka, who had lost in the first round at the All England Club five times, passed the 18-year-old Fritz 7-6 (4), 6-1, 6-7 (2), 6-4 on Court 1.