Murray concentrates his focus on Becker and not Nadal

All eyes were on Nadal’s name at the Wimbledon draw yesterday morning because his surprisingly low fifth seeding meant he could have been drawn against any of the big three – Murray, Roger Federer or Novak Djokovic – in the last eight.

Defending champion Federer drew the short straw, but Murray did not escape scot free.

The second seed will face the winner of the probable match-up between Nadal and Federer in the last four, and he will have to overcome the large obstacle of Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the quarters.

But all in all the draw has been quite favourable for Murray. He should have no trouble easing past German Benjamin Becker in the first round and the list of possible opponents that then lie in wait – Londoner James Ward, Tommy Robredo of Spain and Serbia’s Janko Tipsarevic – are all beatable.

Murray will begin Wimbledon a much more contented person having won the US Open and Olympics after making the Wimbledon final for the first time last year.

Yet the 26-year-old acknowledges that it was only a few weeks ago that he was unable to play due to a back injury so he is determined not to get ahead of himself.

“For all the players, it is one of the biggest events, and it would be a big achievement, but it is just ridiculous to look that far in front,” Murray said.

“A few weeks ago, I was not hitting tennis balls, so I am not going to get ahead of myself. I will just get ready for the first match and get 100 per cent fit, and give it my best shot.”

If Murray’s recent form is anything to go by, he looks to have overcome the injury that ruled him out of the French Open.

He showed no trouble in winning at Queen’s and Hurlingham, and also showed no sign of discomfort as he practiced on the courts at SW19 yesterday.

While Murray’s joy was clear for all to see following his win in New York, the Scot is looking forward to trying to get to another grand slam final on home turf.

“Once you get out onto the court, in front of home support, that always makes a difference to the way you play,” Murray added. “There is a lot of pressure. You want to play in front of a home crowd, it makes a difference.”

Beverley’s Kyle Edmund has a tough task ahead of him in the shape of Poland’s Jerzy Janowicz, who is seeded 24th.

Britain’s women have also been handed tough draws. No 1 Laura Robson will play 10th seed Maria Kirilenko while wild card Johanna Konta faces former US Open 
finalist Jelena Jankovic.

The other two home wild cards, Tara Moore and Samantha Murray, will play Kaia Kanepi and Camila Giorgi respectively.

British No 2 Heather Watson was pitted against America world No 53 Madison Keys while Elena Baltacha will fancy her chances of overcoming Italy’s Flavia Pennetta to make the second round.

Anne Keothavong has a tougher draw against world No 70 Garbine Muguruza of Spain.