Paolini said she prefers sunny conditions and will aim to stay well hydrated in temperatures forecast to push 33 degrees Celsius.

"We'll see. I like hot. It's better when it is sunny for everybody," Paolini told reporters.

"Drink a lot, I guess. That's the main thing because if the match goes long, it's tough ... In Hamburg was hot, Berlin was also hot," she said, referring to the tune-up tournaments ahead of Wimbledon.

Last year during rain Paolini played undercover at Wimbledon, which has retractable roofs on Centre Court and Court Number One in case of weather disruptions.

"Last year I have to say I really liked when the roof was closed. Still, you have to play on this court to have the roof," she said.

The 29-year-old Paolini, the first Italian woman in the Open Era to reach the Wimbledon final, returns to the Grand Slam with modest expectations, though she remains Italy's best hope for a Wimbledon women's singles breakthrough.

--Reuters--