Andy Murray could face Nadal in quarters at SW19

Queen's winner Andy Murray is unfazed by the possibility of a formidable draw at Wimbledon. Picture: Getty

The focus of Friday’s men’s singles draw is guaranteed to be where Nadal falls, with the two-time Wimbledon champion expected to be seeded fifth.

Although the All England Club do not stick completely to the world rankings, their formula to give extra weight to results on grass will not help Nadal given his second-round Wimbledon exit last year.

Although the Spaniard won an eighth French Open title this month, he dropped to fifth in the rankings because countryman David Ferrer improved on last year’s performance by reaching the final at Roland Garros.

Murray will be seeded second but could face the nightmare scenario of a quarter-final against Nadal, a semi-final against defending champion Roger Federer and a final against world number one Novak Djokovic.

The Scot insisted he is ready to face whatever comes his way, saying in his BBC Sport column: “I know there will be a lot of interest in the draw this year as Rafael Nadal looks like being seeded fifth, but as a player you can’t get too obsessed about the draw.

“I’d sign up to be in the quarter-finals against Rafa tomorrow if someone offered me that.

“You could say if I get through that match, then the semi-final might not be as tough, but if you want to win the biggest tournaments you have to beat the best players in the world. It doesn’t really matter where they are in the draw.”

Murray missed the French Open because of injury but showed he is back to full health by winning a third title at Queen’s Club on Sunday with victory over Marin Cilic in the AEGON Championships final.

The world number two had to come from a set down against the Croatian after doing the same in his semi-final win over Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and was reasonably happy with his form.

Murray said of his Queen’s triumph: “Some of the greatest players to have played the game have lifted that trophy, and it was great to end the week feeling fit and healthy, if a bit tired.

“It was really important for me to get matches under my belt and I was striking the ball well all week.

“I made a few bad decisions at some stages but I think a few more days’ practice, getting a little bit more comfortable on the court and then playing more matches will cut that out.”

It was a special day for Murray in more ways than one as he returned to the court to take part in the Rally Against Cancer, organised by his good friend Ross Hutchins to raise money for the Royal Marsden Hospital.

British Davis Cup player Hutchins was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma in December and had his final chemotherapy session at the hospital on Thursday.

Murray played a set with Tim Henman against his coach Ivan Lendl and Tomas Berdych, and succeeded in his aim of hitting Lendl with a forehand.

“Drilling my coach at the net after trying for a year and a half rounded off pretty much the perfect day,” said Murray. “I hit it so cleanly – it was the best shot I played all week – and I already know that Ivan will try to get me back when we practise together this week.

“Believe me, he won’t have any concerns about injuring me the week before Wimbledon. Whatever he comes up with, it will all be worth it to have helped out one of my best friends.”