29 Jun 2015

German poses real first round threat to Djokovic

7:07 am on 29 June 2015

Novak Djokovic won't have to wait long to discover if his risky pre-Wimbledon schedule was foolhardy or the perfect way to arrive fresh for the defence of his title.

The tennis world number one Novak Djokovic.

The tennis world number one Novak Djokovic. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

As tradition demands the Serb will open play on Centre Court tonight in London as the defending men's champion but rather than a gentle loosener, the 28-year-old faces a real danger in the form of Germany's Philipp Kohlschreiber, the world number 33.

It will be Djokovic's first competitive match since his French Open final defeat by Stanislas Wawrinka, and he says it's one of the toughest first round draws he could imagine.

The world number one has taken a risky pre-tournament schedule in an attempt to be as fresh as possible while third seed and local hope Andy Murray has employed the services of a psychiatrist in the hopes of gaining a mental edge.

The women's top seed Serena Williams, who's on course for the grand slam having already won the Australian and French Opens, starts her singles programme tonight against Russia's Margarita Gasparyan.

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