Nadal wary of Paire threat at the French Open

Top-seeded Murray trained on Thursday and is also set to attend a pre-tournament press conference after the draw.

Thiem, on the other hand, has also been quite impressive on the dirt this season, winning Rio de Janeiro title in February and reaching the final in Barcelona, decimating Andy Murray enroute.

For a certain generation, the dolorous tones of Wimbledon’s then-Chief Executive Chris Gorringe announcing, via intercom, that “Providing there is no further rain. play will recommence on Centre Court at.” was a soundtrack to year after year of championships.

“It feels like a new chapter”.

The world number one will begin his bid for a fourth Grand Slam title against the 85th-ranked Russian, against whom Murray has won both matches. 1-5 are all 30 or older, the latest sign that the current crop of stars has enviable staying power.

“I had a small issue with my ankle, you know so practising and stuff with it may be not as good as it needed to be”.

Djokovic has tempted former world number one Agassi back on the road after the “shock therapy” of splitting from his long-term coaching team last month.

“With Novak sort of hitting that peak by winning the French a year ago he has talked about some issues off court, some motivational issues, so perhaps Andre can give him an insight into an avenue, a way where to be more easily fired up”.

“He’s someone that inspires me a lot”, said Djokovic.

“At the end of past year I put in a lot of effort, focus and I achieved a very big goal”.

“This is not going to be easy obviously for him”.

“I definitely see him as number one favourite for this title”. “Maybe a bad week, a bad month, but for Andy it’s been pretty much the whole year”.

Murray has been plagued by poor health for large parts of 2017, suffering flu, shingles as well as an elbow injury.

Now they have agreed to work together at the French Open on a temporary basis.

Kyrgios spearheads a six-strong Australian men’s contingent in Paris but looks the only realistic hope of making the second week, Rasheed says. “So 100% he’s the one to beat and the big favourite”.

He compared it to the feelings after he won his first Wimbledon title in 2013 but declared himself fully motivated for this tournament.

He points out that when Wimbledon’s grass courts, for example, used to play much faster than they do now, a player could succeed there hitting aces by the dozen and going for one victor after another, because “you don’t need the same maturity and understanding of tactics” that are required today.

“He’s having trouble keeping up that energy which is necessary”.

He added: “Coming back to Roland Garros as defending champion, of course, it is different”.

“When you get off to maybe not the flawless start, you lose a little bit of confidence; expectations are so high, you maybe put a little bit too much pressure on yourself”.

‘The struggles make the good times even more enjoyable.

The names missing from the French Open field are as noteworthy as can be: Roger Federer, Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova.