Wimbledon: The top eight men and women seeds

1 PETE SAMPRAS

Born: Washington DC 12 August, 1971. Home: Orlando, Florida. Height: 6ft 1in. Weight: 12st 2lb. Plays: Right-handed. Winnings: pounds 20.25m. Wimbledon record: 1st rd (1989), 1, 2, SF, W, W, W, QF, W.

The great one's motivation has been called into question of late, but he regards the lawns as a second home. Another disappointing French Open on the slow clay of Paris will be forgotten as he puts his mind to winning a fifth Wimbledon title, which would extending his Grand Slam total to 11.

2 MARCELO RIOS

Born: Santiago, Chile, 26 December, 1975. Home: Santiago. Height: 5ft 9in. Weight: 10st. Plays: Left-handed. Winnings: pounds 2.65m. Wimbledon record: 1st rd (1995), -, 4.

Was Boris Becker's last Wimbledon victim, losing to old "Boom Boom" in straight sets in the fourth round a year ago. Has a superb groundstroke style, which - if the mood takes him - could see him through the draw, at least until faced with a natural serve-volleyer.

3 PETR KORDA

Born: Prague, Czechoslovakia, 23 January, 1968. Home: Monte Carlo and Florida. Height: 6ft 3in. Weight: 11st 6lb. Plays: Left-handed. Winnings: pounds 6.16m. Wimbledon record: 3rd rd (1988), -, 1, 1, 2, 4, 2, 4, , 4.

Came closest to eliminating Sampras last year, pushing the world No 1 to a fifth set in the fourth round. The talented Czech subsequently defeated Sampras in five sets in the fourth round at the US Open and scissor-kicked his way to glory at the Australian Open. Has the pedigree and experience.

4 GREG RUSEDSKI

Born: Montreal, Canada, 6 September, 1973. Home: London. Height: 6ft 4in. Weight: 13st 8lb. Plays: Left-handed. Winnings: pounds 1.99m. Wimbledon record: 1st rd (1993), 2, 4, 2, QF.

But for an ankle injury would have been fancied to become Britain's first men's singles champion since Fred Perry in 1936. He has the game: provided the serve is consistent and the return is working: and the determination, but lack of practice and concern about the injury might impair his confidence.

5 CARLOS MOYA

Born: Palma, Majorca, 27 August, 1976. Home: Barcelona. Height: 6ft 3in. Weight: 12st 9lb. Plays: Right-handed. Winnings: pounds 1.85m. Wimbledon record: 1st rd (1996), 2.

Won the French Open as the No 12 seed, defeating a Spanish compatriot, Alex Corretja, in the final. Brought up on clay courts, and also adept on medium-pace concrete, as he showed in advancing to the final of the 1997 Australian Open. Success on grass would be major surprise.

6 PAT RAFTER

Born: Mount Isa, Queensland, Australia, 28 December, 1972. Home: Pembroke, Bermuda. Height: 6ft 1in. Weight: 12st 7lb. Plays: Right-handed. Winnings: pounds 3.053m. Wimbledon record: 3rd rd (1993), 2, 1, 4, 4.

The popular Australian appears to have gone into under-drive since defeating Greg Rusedski to win the US Open last September. Has been unable to lift his game so far this year, but is the type who could play his way into form and light up the tournament.

7 YEVGENY KAFELNIKOV

Born: Sochi, Russia, 18 February, 1974. Home: Sochi. Height: 6ft 3in. Weight: 12st 3lb. Plays: Right-handed. Winnings: pounds 6.29m. Wimbledon record: 3rd rd (1994), QF, 1, 4.

Has spoken confidently about his prospects since winning the grass- court tournament in Halle, Germany. Has been drawn against the big-serving Australian Mark Philippoussis in the first round, which is the sort of match calculated to give the victor heart for a stirring campaign.

8 CEDRIC PIOLINE

Born: Neuilly-sur-Seine, France, 15 June, 1969. Home: Paris. Height: 6ft 2in. Weight: 12st 7lb. Plays: Right-handed. Winnings: pounds 4.53m. Wimbledon record: 2nd rd (1991), 2, QF, 1, QF, 4, F.

Swears by his grass-court preparation, but was disqualified for remarks to an umpire at Nottingham last week. One of the sport's bridesmaids, he has been a beaten finalist in 12 tournaments. Was runner-up to Sampras at Wimbledon last year and also at the 1993 US Open. May run out of steam.

1 MARTINA HINGIS

Born: Kosice, Slovakia, 30 September, 1980. Home: Trubbach, Switzerland. Height: 5ft 7in. Weight: 9st 2lb. Plays: Right-handed. Winnings: pounds 3.99m. Wimbledon record: 1st rd (1995), 4, W.

The youngest champion since Lottie Dod in 1887, Hingis arrives, as last year, after the disappointment of defeat at the French Open. On this occasion the world No 1 was outplayed in the semi-finals by Monica Seles. Otherwise, Hingis has dominated the major championships. Now Graf is a factor.

2 LINDSAY DAVENPORT

Born: Palos Verdes, California, 8 June, 1976. Home: Newport Beach, California. Height: 6ft 21/2in. Weight: 11st 10lb. Plays: Right-handed. Winnings: pounds 2.77m. Wimbledon record: 3rd rd (1993), QF, 4, 2, 2.

One of the most powerful players, she has worked hard on her fitness and mobility. Projected to meet Graf or Seles in the semi-finals, the first seed in her path is Amanda Coetzer, the diminutive South African, who she has beaten in their past five matches. May reach the last four.

3 JANA NOVOTNA

Born: Brno, Czechoslovakia, 2 October, 1968. Home: Antwerp, Belgium. Height: 5ft 9in. Weight: 9st 9lb. Plays: Right-handed. Winnings: pounds 5.46m. Wimbledon record: 1st rd (1986), 4, 2, 4, QF, 2, 3, F, QF, SF, QF, F.

One of the grass-court stylists, but the nearest she has been to the crown is the Duchess of Kent's shoulder. Lost her nerve and double-faulted on game point for 5-1 in the final set against Graf in the 1993 final, and could not capitalise after winning the first set against Hingis in last year's final. Time is running short.

4 STEFFI GRAF

Born: Bruhl, Germany, 14 June, 1969. Home: Bruhl, and Boca Raton, Florida. Weight: 5ft 9in. Weight: 9st 4lb. Plays: Right-handed. Winnings: pounds 12.58m. Wimbledon record: 4th rd (1984), 4, -, F, W, W, SF, W, W, W, 1, W, W, -.

Will she confound her rivals, young and not so young, by winning an eighth title after being out of the game for the best part of a year? Has shown encouraging fitness and form in the few matches she has been able to play in preparation, and is not here just to wave to the well-wishers.

5 ARANTXA SANCHEZ VICARIO

Born: Barcelona, 18 December, 1971. Home: Andorra. Height: 5ft 6in. Weight: 8st 8lb. Plays: Right-handed. Winnings: pounds 8.4m. Wimbledon record: 1st rd (1987), 1, QF, 1, QF, 2, 4, 4, F, F, SF.

Few would bet against the Spanish retriever battling through to contest a third final with Graf, particularly as she arrives fresh from winning the French championship. Her most memorable match at the All England Club was the defeat in 1995, when she and Graf fought for 20 minutes over one game with the Spaniard serving at one set all and 5-5.

6 MONICA SELES

Born: Novi Sad, Yugoslavia, 2 December, 1973. Home: Sarasota, Florida. Height: 5ft 10in. Weight: 10st 9lb. Plays: Left-handed (two-handed both sides). Winnings: pounds 7.30m. Wimbledon record: 4th rd (1989), QF, -, F, -, -, -, 2, 3.

Can look forward to a rousing reception for her first match against Maria Sanchez Lorenzo. Has shown immense resolve in rebuilding her career after being stabbed in Hamburg in 1993. Advancing to the French Open final two weeks ago, but has yet to fulfil her potential here.

7 VENUS WILLIAMS

Born: Lynwood, California, 17 June, 1980. Home: Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Height: 6ft 11/2in. Weight: 12st. Plays: Right-handed. Winnings: pounds 670,945. Wimbledon record: 1st rd (1997).

Pretends she is making her debut and that last year's first-round defeat by Poland's Magdalena Grzybowska did not happen. Certainly looked a beginner on grass at Eastbourne last week. Has the height and power, and has improved all round since losing to Hingis in the US Open final last year.

8 CONCHITA MARTINEZ

Born: Monzon, Spain, 16 April, 1972. Home: Barcelona, and San Diego, California. Height: 5ft 7in. Weight: 9st 4lb. Plays: Right-handed. Winnings: pounds 4.65m. Wimbledon record: 2nd rd (1992), SF, W, SF, 4, 3.

Beaten in the third round last year by Helena Sukova, but is nicely placed to cause some damage this time. Whether we can recapture the form which brought her the title in 1994, denying the great Navratilova with breathtaking cross-court groundstrokes, is open to doubt.