Rafael Nadal grudgingly respected Wimbledon's all-white rule but still managed to add plenty of colour to Centre Court as he scorched through to the second round tonight.
Nadal, the 19-year-old newly-crowned French Open champion who is famous for his flamboyant and garish colour schemes, dazzled American veteran Vince Spadea for a 6-4 6-3 6-0 victory.
Resplendent in toned-down versions of his trademark culottes, sleeveless shirt and headband, the Spaniard grew on the unfamiliar grass court as the game went on and ended it in utter command.
The word delicate does not come to mind when watching Nadal, a fierce competitor who chases down every hopeless cause and roars into each shot as if it is his last.
But he remains an irresistible attraction with his swinging baseline drives and audacious stretching returns; arguably the most naturally talented player on the men's tour besides Roger Federer.
Clay court king Nadal took a little time getting used to the new surface as well as the unusually sober colour schemes, a mood mirrored by a crowd still drawing breath after Tim Henman's great escape which preceded it.
Some of Nadal's fiercest drives threatened only the ball boys and line judges, though when they did bring up clouds of titanium pigment, Nadal was quick to clench his fists and vigorously nod approval.
Spadea, most famous for ending a record 21-match unbeaten run by beating Rusedski here in 2000, batted away from the baseline but was increasingly coming second as Nadal gained in ascendancy.
As the hot sun began to sink beneath the SW19 skyline, so did Spadea's chances diminish. Nadal blazed on with his exhilarating array of clubbing cross-court forehand winners and lightning returns.
After a thoroughly dominant third set wrapped up his place in the second round, Nadal shook his shoulder-length locks from his headband and drew more approval from the cooing grandstands.
Perhaps they had witnessed a new star being born on Centre Court, and one who promises to add plenty more colour to the All England Club for years to come.
