1. Roger Federer

Born: 8/8/81 Nationality: Swiss Seeded: 1 World ranking: 1 Wimbledon best: Champion (2003/2004) Recent record: 2004: Champion 2003: Champion 2002: 1st round

Roger Federer returns to Wimbledon looking to join the likes of Pete Sampras and Bjorn Borg as a winner of three successive titles.

And the Swiss star is an overwhelming favourite to do just that after cementing his position as the world's best player in the last 12 months.

Since winning Wimbledon last year, he has added the US Open title as well as five Masters Series events and the Masters Cup.

There have been occasional signs of hope for his rivals, however.

The first came with Marat Safin's epic win over the Swiss in the Australian Open semi-finals, and Rafael Nadal ended Federer's hopes of a first French Open title earlier this month.

But back on the grass of SW19 there is little to suggest anyone has the game to threaten Federer if he is anywhere near his best.

He can hit winners off both the forehand and backhand, control a match from the back of the court and mix up his game with an improving serve-and-volley style.

And, above all, he is highly motivated, saying that given the choice he would not swap a single French title for an eighth or ninth Wimbledon crown.