Andy Murray expects good friend James Ward to put on a good show as he attempts to pull off the most difficult feat in tennis.
Ward was drawn against defending champion Novak Djokovic, meaning he will share the honour of opening the tournament on Centre Court on Monday afternoon.
Djokovic has not lost a grand slam match for more than 12 months, becoming the first man in 47 years to hold all four slam titles, so the task for 177th-ranked Ward is formidable to say the least.
But Murray has seen the levels to which the 29-year-old Londoner can raise himself first hand in Davis Cup, not least his brilliant victory over John Isner last year that was crucial to Britain lifting the trophy.
“I think the most important thing for him is to go out and enjoy it,” said Murray, who has lost the last two slam finals to Djokovic.
“Obviously it’s an incredibly difficult draw. But he’s getting the chance to play against the best player in the world on Centre Court at Wimbledon. If you aren’t excited or pumped for that, then you’re playing the wrong sport.
“I think Wardy will go out there and play well. He has played his best tennis normally when he’s been in the biggest occasions. He’s done it a few times in Davis Cup, he has played well here in the past and at Queen’s.
“Regardless of the result, hopefully this can be a boost for him, to play a match like this, get his year back on track.”
Murray must wait until Tuesday for his opening match against countryman Liam Broady but Ward is one of eight British players in action on day one.
The most unlikely of those is world number 775 Marcus Willis, who takes on Ricardas Berankis on Court 17.
Willis has been coaching at Warwick Boat Club after almost quitting the sport but won six matches across pre-qualifying and qualifying to book his place in the main draw.
The 25-year-old said: “It’s ridiculous really. I’ve been playing really well in league matches but I never thought in a million years I’d qualify for Wimbledon, not this year anyway.
“It’s all surreal, the whole thing. I was last into pre-qualifying. Scott Clayton couldn’t get back from Turkey to sign in and that would have bumped me out.
“I believe in God and I think he’s put things in my life like that. This stuff just doesn’t happen without something freakish.”
If Willis beats Berankis, he would most likely play Roger Federer in round two.
Among the other home men, debutant Alex Ward has a tough task against 11th seed David Goffin, Kyle Edmund plays France’s Adrian Mannarino, Dan Evans takes on Jan-Lennard Struff of Germany and Brydan Klein meets Nicolas Mahut.
Laura Robson continues her comeback from two years of wrist problems by taking on Australian Open champion Angelique Kerber while Naomi Broady meets 17th seed Elina Svitolina.
