Novak Djokovic kicks off Wimbledon campaign after dismal year

The Serb, who begins his campaign for a fourth Wimbledon title against Slovakian Martin Klizan on Centre Court, has not lifted a grand slam trophy since last year's French Open.

It has been a dismal period for Djokovic who has also relinquished his number one ranking and failed to get past the third round in two of his last four grand slam appearances.

He has at least tasted some rare recent success, having broken with tradition to play a pre-Wimbledon warm-up at Eastbourne, where he won his first title since January by beating Gael Monfils last week.

That allowed him to not only tune up his grasscourt game but also lift his spirits after a testing few months.

“I used to base all my happiness on winning a tennis match,” said Djokovic.

“I think many athletes today are doing that. So I try not to do that anymore, because it's not like I don't care, but winning and losing a tennis match, absolutely not. Of course, I would love to win every single tennis match I play in, but I don't try to take that as a very essential moment in my life, which determines my happiness.

“It's a different approach, but I'm still here and I'm still motivated, I still keep on going. I'm still glad to kind of experience whatever my professional tennis career has for me."

Seven times winner Roger Federer will also entertain fans on Centre Court on Tuesday and should be in good shape when he faces Ukraine's Alexandr Dolgopolov, having skipped the entire claycourt season to prepare for Wimbledon.

In the women's draw, Germany's world number one Angelique Kerber is in action against Irina Falconi of the United States and third seed Karolina Pliskova, who won the women's tournament at Eastbourne, plays Russian Evgeniya Rodina.