Talking points as Wimbledon gets under way

Andy Murray may be absent but grand slam tennis continues without him as Wimbledon gets under way.

Here Press Association Sport picks out five talking points on day one.

How will the courts hold up?

It is sizzling out there and the lush lawns look magnificent. But once the players are out in the heat of action the courts are bound to take a pounding. That could see the grass quickly wear away, and a number of players raised concerns only last year about their on-court safety in such conditions, with several taking falls. Head groundsman Neil Stubley played down concerns on the eve of these championships and said the court situation was “nicely in control”.

First test for Serena

Arantxa Rus of Holland presents the first hurdle for seven-time champion Williams to overcome, and perhaps surprisingly that match missed out on a Centre Court billing. Williams missed Wimbledon last year while pregnant but is back on a mission to reclaim the title she won 12 months previously when beating Angelique Kerber. She reached the fourth round of the recent French Open before pulling out of a hotly-anticipated clash with Maria Sharapova, and the 36-year-old American appears as driven as ever. Third on Court One, Williams will be out to impress.

Federer favourite

After landing his eighth Wimbledon title last year, Roger Federer is back for more and still relishing the challenge. He won on grass in Stuttgart last month before an expected run to the Halle title ended in disappointment with a hugely surprising loss to Borna Coric in the final. He starts against Dusan Lajovic of Serbia on Centre Court, and nobody would be surprised if the Swiss master is back out there on finals weekend.

Post-Murray blues?