Tim Henman today urged the British public to be realistic about Andy Murray's prospects as the Wimbledon championships got under way.

The four-times semi-finalist at the All England Club does not believe that the young Scot will progress beyond the last eight in what has been a trying year curtailed by injury.

"There is only going to be one winner at Wimbledon - there will be 127 others that lose so does that mean there are 127 failures?" he said.

"Andy has never been past the last 16 in a Grand Slam, and getting to the quarters right now would be a good tournament for him.

"Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal are the clear favourites but it is possible. He will want to put himself in that position to see how he performs."

Five-times champion Federer begins his defence of the men's singles title on Centre Court this lunchtime against Slovakian Dominik Hrbaty.

Murray takes on Fabrice Santoro tomorrow with Britain represented today by three players - Elena Baltacha, Alex Bogdanovic and Melanie South - who all received wild cards into the tournament.

In all, six of the nine Britons in the men's and women's draws were given a free entry by the All England Club - a practice Henman believes should end.

Only Murray and Anne Keothavong secured their spots through their rankings, while teenager Chris Eaton came through qualifying.

Henman, who retired from the game last year, said: "What frustrates me is the players are always shirking the responsibility.

"Wild cards are a luxury. If you rely on them year after year, you are probably not good enough."