Nick Kyrgios completes hour-long practice session at Wimbledon

Nick Kyrgios managed an hour’s practice at Wimbledon on Friday, his name having been confirmed in both the singles and doubles draws.

Last year’s beaten finalist was hitting with American Maxim Cressy and seemed animated enough, although there are still questions around his fitness and the overall shape he is in.

The Australian was given an intriguing draw against Belgium’s David Goffin, who reached the quarter final a year ago but required a wildcard to enter as he has slumped to 123 in the world.

There was no coach supervising Kyrgios, who did not have much of an entourage with him and was relying on his manager, Daniel Horsfall, to pick up balls on his side of the net.

Looking slightly heavier than twelve months back, the 28 year-old from Canberra has played only one competitive match this year, but reckons he can also tackle the doubles alongside close friend Thanasi Kokkinakis.

In the first round they will play Britain’s Joe Salisbury and partner Rajeev Ram, who are the third seeds despite having a modest year by their recent standards.

Women’s top seed Iga Swiatek will again be allowed to wear the usual ribbon in the colours of the Ukraine flag in her cap, although strictly speaking it contravenes the rules around predominantly white clothing.

The French Open champion was given the same dispensation a year ago. Her immediate worry was a bout of sickness which saw her pull out of the tournament in Bad Homburg in Germany yesterday morning.

She was still due to fly to London, and might not be that disappointed that she gets an extra day’s practice on Wimbledon’s lawns, given that she will have a Monday start.

Swiatek will be pleased to have found herself in the opposite half to defending champion Elena Rybakina, who is due to meet second seed Aryna Sabalenka in the semi-finals.

Novak Djokovic, heavy favourite for the men’s event, was given a comfortable opener against Argentinian grass court novice Pedro Cachin, but afterwards could meet Australian Jordan Thompson, for whom it is his favourite surface.

In the fourth round the Serb could meet Poland’s dangerous Hubert Hurkacz, the man who ended Roger Federer’s Wimbledon career with a 6-0 final set.

The men’s draw looks reasonably balanced, with Carlos Alcaraz heading the top half. His first two opponents are guaranteed to be French, and he will open against veteran Jeremy Chardy, who despite his nationality has long been based in Fulham.