When you haven't played a tennis singles match for two years and don't even have a ranking any more, it perhaps really isn't the ideal preparation to face the greatest player of all-time at the Olympic Games.
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But at least Australian veteran Matt Ebden can see the funny side of his luckless first-round draw against Novak Djokovic, which will kick off Australia's challenge at Roland Garros on Saturday.
The Perth-based 36-year-old, who's a genuine medal shot in the two doubles events but was only drafted into the singles as a last-minute replacement, was dumbfounded to learn he'd play top seed Djokovic first up - and possibly meet Rafa Nadal in the second round in the wholly unlikely event he wins.
It all prompted Ebden to put up a post on social media of his increasingly goggle-eyed reaction to learning of the news of his potential double header to the theme tune of 'Mission Impossible'.
"There was nothing I could do except sort of laugh and, make fun of myself and make fun of it. I'll try to make it entertaining and at least put on a good match for the crowd," smiled Ebden after practice at Roland Garros on Friday.
Ebden was once good enough to be ranked in the top 40 in the men's game six years ago, but these days concentrates solely on his doubles, even reaching the world No.1 spot in February.
He hasn't actually played a tour-level singles match since taking on Dutchman Tim van Rijthoven in a grass-court match in s-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands, more than two years ago.
"I play a little bit of practice singles at home when I'm still training and stuff, but I didn't play any matches in singles on the tour this last two years," said Ebden.
Yet he now finds himself up against a man on a mission on the main Court Philippe Chatrier stage, with Djokovic seeking the one title that's so far eluded him in his 24-grand slam-winning career.
Ebden has played the other big three - Roger Federer, Nadal and Andy Murray. "But I never got to play Novak in singles, which I regretted a bit.
"And I thought I'll get to play him one day in doubles, at least. But now this is magically coming about to play him in singles on Court Philippe Chatrier, as my last singles match. It'll be fun.
"But I know why I'm here. I know where my realistic chances for medals are - the doubles are my priorities," added world No.3 Ebden, who'll play alongside John Peers in the men's and Ellen Perez in the mixed.
"Lleyton (Hewitt, the team captain) said to me, 'Make sure you don't get injured, don't do anything silly in the singles!'"
Another Australian with a monstrously difficult opener on Saturday will be Rinky Hijikata, who's up against Russian No.4 seed Daniil Medvedev, whose last defeat at Roland Garros two months ago came against Aussie No.1 Alex de Minaur.
Australian Associated Press
