London: Nick Kyrgios will open his Wimbledon campaign against Pierre-Hugues Herbert and could face top-seeded titleholder Andy Murray in the fourth round for the second year running.
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While he should be able to ease into the tournament, Australia's big hope will find the going tough from the third round when he could strike Lucas Pouille, the French 14th seed who ousted Bernard Tomic in 2016.
Friday's draw threw up the possibility of Kyrgios needing to beat a trio of Frenchmen to reach the second week for the fourth successive year, with Benoit Paire looming in the second round if he sees off Herbert as he did in doubles at the French Open.
Murray beat Kyrgios in straight sets last year but, adding intrigue to their potential showdown next week, both players are carrying hip complaints into the 2017 tournament.
Kyrgios's four main support acts all drew seeds for their first-round encounters but no one fared worse than John Millman.
The Queensland must take down 10-time French Open champion Rafael Nadal, the fourth seed, to extend his stay beyond one match.
Tomic takes on 27th seed Mischa Zverev, fresh from beating the German left-handed serve-volleyer at Eastbourne.
Jordan Thompson, who shocked the tennis world last week with his victory over Murray at the Queen's Club, opens against 25th seed Albert Ramos Vinolas.
Thanasi Kokkinakis, also in good grass-court touch, has a testing match against 29th seed and former top-four star Juan Martin del Potro.
Qualifier Andrew Whittington's first-round opponent is yet to be determined.
Australia's two women's direct entrants received contrasting draws.
Daria Gavrilova, enjoying seeded protection for the first time at the All England Club, faces a qualifier and has an opportunity to venture to the second week, where her first major test is likely to come from No.16 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.
But Ashleigh Barty's excellent grass-court form will be immediately put to the test in an opener against fourth seed Elina Svitolina.
The most exciting aspect of the men's draw was the possibility of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in another dream grand slam final.
Chasing a record eighth title, Federer landed in the same half of the draw as Novak Djokovic, with Nadal projected to meet Murray - or potentially even Kyrgios - in another blockbuster semi-final.
WHO THE AUSSIES FACE IN THE FIRST ROUND AT WIMBLEDON:(prefix denotes seeding)
Men's singles
20-Nick Kyrgios v Pierre-Hugues Herbert (FRA)
Bernard Tomic v 27-Mischa Zverev (GER)
Jordan Thompson v 25-Albert Ramos Vinolas (ESP)
Thanasi Kokkinakis v 29-Juan Martin del Potro (ARG)
John Millman v 4-Rafael Nadal (ESP)
Andrew Whittington v TBA
Women's singles
20-Daria Gavrilova v qualifier
Ashleigh Barty v 4-Elina Svitolina (UKR)
AAP
