James Ward has acknowledged that he had been hoping for an easier draw at Wimbledon after being paired with defending champion Novak Djokovic.
The British number five has struggled for form this season and with a last-32 place to defend from last year, he has suggested that facing the world number one at SW19 has come at the wrong time.
The 29-year-old is quoted as saying by PA Sport: "It's tough at this time of year when you have points to defend and you play people like Djokovic.
"I've just got to do whatever I can and hopefully the results get back to what they were last year."
The clash between Djokovic and Ward will be the first match on Centre Court on Monday afternoon.
