ANDY MURRAY and Emma Raducanu are set to play on the opening day of Wimbledon as all 17 Brits avoided seeds in the gentlemen’s and ladies’ singles draws.
The two biggest names in British tennis – who have both been struggling with fitness concerns – have learned the identity of their first-round opponents for Monday afternoon.
Two-time Wimbledon winner Murray is in the top half of the draw and will play Australian James Duckworth, probably on Centre Court.
The pair have met twice before with Murray, 35, winning the first clash at the US Open in 2018 and then again in Brisbane the following year.
If the Scot progresses, there is the prospect of him facing giant American serving-machine John Isner in the second round.
Raducanu, who quit the fourth round last year due to breathing difficulties on court, has a difficult first assignment against Belgian Alison Van Uytvanck, who is ranked 46th in the world.
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In the second round, the 19-year-old, who famously won the US Open last September, could maybe play Japan-born Yuriko Miyazaki, who has defected this year to Britain.
This is the largest contingent of home-grown stars in the two draws since 2001 and is a consequence of the Russians and Belarussians being banned due to the war in Ukraine.
Novak Djokovic, three-time defending champion, opens his defence against Soonwoo Kwon of South Korea while No.2 seed Rafa Nadal, chasing the calendar Slam, takes on Argentine Francisco Cerundolo in the first round.
British No.1 Cameron Norrie kick-starts his tournament against Spaniard Pablo Andujar and Dan Evans, the No.28 seed, faces Australian qualifier Jason Kubler.
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In terms of the other British men, it’s Jay Clarke versus American Christian Harrison, Ryan Peniston versus Switzerland’s Henri Laaksonen, Jack Draper versus Belgian Zizou Bergs and Liam Broady against Slovakian Lukas Klein.
The most entertaining clash will be British No.8 Paul Jubb having to contain the Australian maverick Nick Kyrgios, who brings through-the-legs shots and underarm serves.
In terms of the other British women, Heather Watson plays German Tamara Korpatsch while wildcards Katie Swan (v Marta Kostyuk) and Jodie Burrage (v Lesia Tsurenko) have Ukrainians up first.
Serena Williams, who could be playing at her final Wimbledon at the age of 40, has to deal with Frenchwoman Harmony Tan.
It has yet to be announced whether world No.1 Iga Swiatek or 2019 Wimbledon champion Simona Halep will open up on Centre Court on Tuesday.
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