By STEPHEN WILSON | Associated Press

WIMBLEDON, England (AP) — Being a defending champion at Wimbledon has its perks — none bigger than the honor of playing the opening match on the freshly manicured lawn of Centre Court.

Despite slipping on the slick grass and falling behind early in the first set, Novak Djokovic quickly gained his footing and played the commanding tennis that took him to his first Wimbledon title and vaulted him to the No. 1 ranking that he still holds.

Last year, afte...