While out on court two, nine-time champion Martina Navratilova marked her return to singles action at the All England Club with a vintage display to breeze through her opening-round match against Catalina Castano in straight sets.

Given the inclement weather in south-west London, the exploits of Navratilova, whose last appearance here was in the 1994 final when she lost to Conchita Martinez, gave the opening-day crowd plenty of entertainment on what was otherwise a frustrating day for fans and players alike.

“The reception has always been nice and has grown over the years. It is nice to be appreciated and I appreciate them,” said Navratilova following her 6-0 6-1 win over the 24-year-old Colombian.

“It is great to be out there and have the opportunity – and when people say ‘Why are you doing it?, I say ‘because I can’.”

The veteran American will now meet the winner of Gisela Dulko and Jelena Dokic in round two, and Navratilova would welcome the opportunity to avenge her recent defeat at Roland Garros.

“That could be interesting. We talked about it at the French Open, would I like to get Dulko on grass,” reflected Navratilova, who had been handed a wild card for this year’s tournament by the All England Club.

“It will be a much tougher match obviously, but I’ll be ready.”