At least spectators got to see something a little different during a slightly farcical delay early at Wimbledon 2023 … Novak Djokovic wiping the Centre Court floor with something other than his opponent.
Comically, the seven-times champion used his towel to try and help three blokes equipped with what could be described as outsize hair-dryers make a slippery surface safe.
But after an interruption that stretched to well over an hour came to an end, normal floor-wiping service was resumed, world number 68 Pedro Cachin the latest hapless victim.
It is ten years since Djokovic lost a match on Centre Court - the 2013 final to Andy Murray - and his 6-3, 6-3, 7-6 win over Cachin means he has now won 40 on the spin in front of the Royal Box.
You never know - if he wins a few more, the Centre Court crowd might even take to the most successful Grand Slam tennis player in history.
And that’s only half a joke.
Perhaps it is because they like an underdog or that they simply wanted to see a more competitive opening contest, but the majority of the congregation seemed to be rooting for the 28-year-old Argentine.
But the warmth for Djokovic might be dialled up a notch after his suitably gushing post-match comments about Centre Court.
He said: “This is the holy grail - the temple of tennis. This court really is something special. What a second home to have. It doesn't get much better than Wimbledon in terms of history and tradition. It is a wonderful feeling to be here.
“It was always the dream to win it and a childhood dream came true in 2011. I connected with that young boy growing up in Serbia to come here and win it.”
Come here and win it seven times, as it happens - probably eight after things are wrapped up on Sunday week.
The biggest threat to Djokovic was a surface that, apparently, became treacherous after a failure to respond immediately to a few drops of rain meant it was caught by a shower.
And when the roof was closed, the grass was damp, hence the hair-dryers and Djokovic with his towel.
“I think it was definitely frustrating for the crowd waiting for us to come out on court,” said the 36-year-old Serb, who is looking to add a 24th Grand Slam title to his CV. The conditions were not great under the roof, it was still slippery. When I come out, I usually come out with rackets, not towels.”
Having won the first set before the unscheduled break, Djokovic - whose last loss in SW19 came when he had to retire from a quarter-final match on Court One in 2017 when he was a set and two games down to Tomàš Berdych - mopped up matters in fairly straightforward fashion and seemed very happy with his form.
"For me, the opening match is a little bit tricky,” said Djokovic, who faces Jordan Thompson, an unseeded 29-year-old Australian, in the second round.
“I’ve not played any warm-up matches and grass is a little different to clay. I've managed to adapt pretty well over the years and hopefully I’ll manage to do it again."
Of that, the Centre Court crowd - and everyone else - can be absolutely certain.
