Wimbledon begins without Murray but with Roger Federer, Serena Williams

The world's foremost Grand Slam and the only one to be played on grass courts got under way here on Monday with the news that local favorite Andy Murray had decided to pull out after a lengthy battle to recover his fitness following hip surgery.

Fans can instead look forward to seeing two of the finest players of all-time on the championship's show courts, with Roger Federer opening the defense of his men's singles crown before the return to the court of seven-times womens' champion Serena Williams, reports Efe.

"I feel like a superhero," Williams had said after her Grand Slam comeback in Paris, where she caused a sensation wearing a black catsuit until a pectoral injury cut her return short.

Should Williams make a success of Wimbledon this year at the age of 36, she would win a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam singles title.

Williams' opponent is to be Dutch player Arantxa Rus, who learned how to play on grass 10 years ago when she won the Australian Open junior championship.

Federer will hope for success against Dusan Lajovic of Serbia, who at 28 years old is ranked 58 in the world.

--IANS

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