Emma Raducanu has been dealt a difficult path at the Eastbourne tournament after Saturday's draw placed her against Ann Li in the opening round.
The seventh-seeded former US Open champion faces the prospect of meeting two-time Wimbledon finalist Ons Jabeur as early as the second round.
The 22-year-old could also potentially encounter Lulu Sun, who defeated her at Wimbledon last year.
Raducanu enters the Sussex tournament following a quarter-final run at Queen's last week, where she fell to Qinwen Zheng.
The challenging draw comes as Raducanu continues to manage back problems that have troubled her in recent weeks. She reached the French Open second round earlier this year but managed just three games against Iga Swiatek in Paris.
British players across the board face formidable opponents in the Eastbourne draw. Harriet Dart has been paired with reigning Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova in her opening match.
Emma Raducanu was defeated at Queen's last week
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Sonay Kartal's challenge appears equally daunting as she prepares to face 2017 French Open winner Jelena Ostapenko.
The Latvian reached the Wimbledon semi-finals in 2018 and advanced to the quarter-finals at the All England Club last year.
The men's draw features several high-profile names including Taylor Fritz, Tommy Paul and Ugo Humbert. British wildcard Cam Norrie will begin his campaign against Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, whilst Jacob Fearnley faces Flavio Cobolli in his opening match.
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Dan Evans, another British wildcard recipient, has been drawn against Miomir Kecmanovic in the first round.
Raducanu's participation comes amid ongoing fitness concerns after she required medical attention during her Queen's defeat. "I have been struggling with my back since Strasbourg, and it's just been something that's been on and off," she revealed following that match.
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Emma Raducanu has been struggling with back issues recently
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The back issue has persisted for several weeks, requiring careful management throughout her recent matches. "I have been managing it pretty well over the last few weeks, but I guess as the week goes on and I have played five matches now, even if two were doubles. I think it just tests it out - and I just felt it as the load goes up," Raducanu explained.
Medical staff provided on-court treatment including taping for stability and pain relief. "It has been lingering for the last few weeks and I have had back issues before. It's just a vulnerability of mine. I know I need to take good care of it," she added.
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Qualifying rounds began on Saturday, with main draw action scheduled to commence on Monday. The tournament finals are set for next Saturday.
Daria Kasatkina returns as the defending women's champion after defeating Leylah Fernandez in last year's final. Fritz holds the men's title following his victory over Max Purcell in the 2024 championship match.
Dan Evans has not been given an easy draw on the men's side of the tournament
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The tournament serves as crucial preparation for Wimbledon, which begins in just over a week. For Raducanu, maintaining fitness through the Eastbourne event will be paramount given her recent back troubles.
The draw presents significant challenges for all British participants, with each facing accomplished opponents from the outset. The Sussex event traditionally attracts strong fields as players fine-tune their grass-court games ahead of the All England Club championships.
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