Wimbledon 2012: immaculately dressed and manicured, The All England Club welcomes its guests Henman Hill on the first morning of Wimbledon is one of those tableaux that was made for stop-motion photography. The first occupants stake out their pitch as soon as the gates open at half-past 10. Many have not the slightest intention of shifting from now until dusk, their trip to Wimbledon consisting of little more than sitting in front of a big screen and making the occasional trundle to the pic "n" mix concession. But the grass beneath them is lush and virgin, the weather mercifully fine. There are, heaven knows, worse ways to pass a day. For all the tradition, for all the weight of history, there is a pristine feel to the place. The gangways are clean, unsullied by spilt drinks and cigarette butts. The ground staff, their training still fresh in the memory, are yet to have their patience worn down by a succession of anxious tourists asking where they can get one of those giant fluffy tennis balls. By noon, the Wimbledon shop has remarkably not yet sold out of souvenir towels (and, less remarkably, failed to shift a single jar of strawberry and champagne preserve). The toilets - for the first few minutes at least - are tolerable. Even battle-toughened tour pros, who see a new venue every week, never fail to be impressed anew on their return to SW19. After opening the proceedings on Centre Court for the first time in his career, Novak Djokovic was rapt. "You know, the grass was untouched," he said after beating Juan-Carlos Ferrero. It was so soft, so smooth. It was great to play in. "Absolutely special," was Roger Federer's verdict. You realise the moment you walk on to the court that it is a different place here than any other. The respectful clap; no music. The court played perfectly. It was virtually brand new in terms of the way the grass was. That felt special in its own way. I love playing on Monday. Because this is a very British playground, it is naturally the British who form the main diversions. Though Andy Murray does not play until Tuesday, the home contingent pack Court Three for Josh Goodall's early match against Grega Zemlja. As Goodall faces three set points at the end of the third set, a lone voice in the crowd shouts: "You can do it, Josh!" Though there is not the slightest chance he will, it is a touching moment - the point at which the promise of the new finds its fullest expression. For a day at least, hope springs eternal at Wimbledon.