DOB: 24.02.1981 Nationality: Australian World Ranking: 1 Previous Wimbledon results: 2001 :: fourth round 2000 :: first round 1999 :: third round 1998 :: did not play

The feisty Australian clocked up seven tour titles while still a teenager, including the US Open last year, when he blew Pete Sampras away.

Hewitt finished last season as the world number one, taking the Tennis Masters Cup in front of his home crowd in Sydney.

Despite being under six foot tall, he has a strong serve and an all-round game that does not have an obvious weakness.

His uncompromising desire to win does not always endear him to his opponents but he will scrap to the end and can never be accused of not giving his all.

Grass holds no fears for this all-surface performer - he has won the Wimbledon warm-up at Queen's for the past two years.

Last season's Queen's victory was followed up with another grass title at 's-Hertogenbosch - it clearly proved his ability on the surface but many believed it tired him out ahead of Wimbledon, where he succumbed in round four.