Rain causes havoc to Novak Djokovic's Wimbledon preparations at Eastbourne

The Serb, 30, had chosen to compete there for the first time in his pursuit of some momentum and confidence ahead of the coming Grand Slam, but was left frustrated almost as soon as his first-round match began.

He took the opening game against Canada's Vasek Pospisil and was leading 30-15 in the second when the rain started.

Play was then repeatedly postponed until, finally at 5pm, attempts to resume were abandoned until 10.30am Wednesday morning.

As well as Djokovic, women's French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko and runner-up Simona Halep are scheduled to play, but in Ostapenko's case only if British hope Johanna Konta can complete an earlier round earlier in the day.

Other big names hoping to stretch their limbs on the lush lawns of Devonshire Park include women's world number one Angelique Kerber, and French players Richard Gasquet and Gael Monfils.

The forecast is not great, though, with rain predicted for much of the morning, and lengthy spells of the afternoon.

Fans who left Devonshire Park seeing barely a ball struck will at least be refunded, the tournament said