Former Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic believes Andy Murray will face some "hungry" competition for the SW19 crown this year.

The 6ft 4in Croatian - runner-up at the All England Club three times before securing a memorable victory as a wildcard entry in 2001 - thinks all the leading men's players have what it takes to make for a fierce contest when the action starts next week.

French Open champion Rafael Nadal, fit again following a knee injury, could be a potential quarter-final opponent for Murray, who is also likely to have to overcome the man who beat him in last year's final - Roger Federer.

World number one Novak Djokovic will also stand in the way of Murray becoming the first British winner of the Wimbledon men's singles crown since Fred Perry in 1936.

Ivanisevic, 41, is expecting one of the most exciting competitions of recent times to unfold over the 2013 Wimbledon fortnight.

"Everyone is hungry, everyone wants to win, and it will be a very interesting tournament," Ivanisevic said at the launch of the BNP Paribas Tennis Classic from The Hurlingham Club.

"Djokovic will be disappointed with only getting to the semi-finals at the French Open and will want to win this title. He is always ready and is the best player in the world.

"Nadal is full of confidence now, while Roger, after a poor French, won in Halle and is coming to London ready, wanting to defend his title."

Murray, ranked number two in the world, warmed up for Wimbledon with what was a third AEGON Championships title at Queen's, and is set to play at the BNP Paribas Tennis Classic later this week.

The 26-year-old, who missed the French Open because of a back injury, endured an emotional rollercoaster at Wimbledon last year, but went on to secure a famous victory over the Swiss player when they met again on Centre Court to contest the Olympic final.

Expectation of a nation will again be firmly on Murray's shoulders over the next couple of weeks.

Ivanisevic believes the Scot can take confidence from his efforts of last summer, when he went on to secure a first Grand Slam title in the United States.

"He played well last year and was close to winning, now it can be a bit easier after winning the Olympics at Wimbledon, then the US Open," Ivanisevic said.

"However, even though everyone will be expecting him to win, it will not be easy.

"Andy knows what it is like to be in the final of Wimbledon now, also what it is like to win a grand slam.

"He just needs to play his best tennis now, then he can go through the competition."

Ivanisevic added: "It is destiny for somebody to break the tradition of 70 years (without a British winner) and the best chance is Andy.

"They said it was destiny for Tim (Henman), but he never made the final. Andy did last year, so he will want one more step this time."

Croatian Marin Cilic has so far been unable to follow his compatriot and deliver a grand slam title.

There is great hope that 16-year-old Donna Vekic, coached by Henman's former mentor David Felgate, can make the breakthrough.

Ivanisevic said: "David Felgate is doing a great job with her, she was the youngest person in the top 100, and is now going to be around 60, which is unbelievable for Croatian tennis.

"She is just going to progress more and more, she is one day going to be in the top 10.

"We have some real talented girls now, like Vekic and (Ajla) Tomljanovic also, so Croatian tennis is looking very well."