Wimbledon makes a smashing return with a tribute to Boris ... but not the one you think

Sue Barker sent an emotional on-air message of support to her jailed former colleague Boris Becker on the opening day of Wimbledon.

The 66-year-old, who is retiring from the BBC after this year’s championship, made the public declaration as Becker serves a two-and-a-half year jail term for hiding millions of pounds worth of assets after being declared bankrupt.

She was joined by John McEnroe who said at the end of Novak Djokovic’s first-round victory: “Boris, we love you. We miss you, man.”

Barker replied: “We do, indeed. Well said.”

Lilian de Carvalho Monteiro, Becker’s girlfriend, had been watching from among Djokovic’s close supporters during the opening match on Centre Court.

A bastion of the BBC’s Wimbledon coverage for two decades, it was perhaps fitting that Becker’s absence was acknowledged on the day the Championships roared back into full life for the first time since the pandemic struck.

Gone were Covid tests and social distancing. Back was the world-famous queue.

And the fans came in their legions on a bumper day for British competitors, with Emma Raducanu and Andy Murray the star attractions.

But it would not have been Wimbledon without some dodgy weather, and the sight of tennis fans huddling under umbrellas.

The heavens opened in the early afternoon, delaying play on the outer courts and forcing Centre Court and Court One to use their roofs for only the second time on an opening day.

Fortunately, there was no repeat of the slipping controversies of last year, which were blamed on the early use of the roof, and by the time Britain’s teenage US Open champion walked on to Centre Court, the sun was shining.

She did not disappoint, winning her first-round clash against Alison Van Uytvanck in straight sets.

So