ROGER FEDERER (SUI)

World ranking: 1
Birthdate: Aug 8, 1981
Birthplace: Basel, Switzerland
Residence: Oberwil, Switzerland
Height: 6'1'' (185 cm)
Weight: 177 lbs (80 kg)
Plays: Right-handed
Turned Pro: 1998

Career singles titles: 55
Grand Slam singles titles: 12
Career prize money: $40 979 981
Best Wimbledon result: Champion (2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007)

After the trauma of his French Open humiliation, Federer returns to the safer territory of the All England Club where he has not lost since the first round in 2002. Starts as favourite to win an historic sixth successive title, but Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic will guarantee the path is far from smooth.

RAFAEL NADAL (ESP)

World ranking: 2
Birthdate: June 3, 1986
Birthplace: Manacor, Mallorca
Residence: Manacor, Mallorca
Height: 6'1'' (185 cm)
Weight: 188 lbs (85 kg)
Plays: Left-handed
Turned Pro: 2001

Career singles titles: 28
Grand Slam singles titles: 4
Career prize money: $17 987 823
Best Wimbledon result: Runner-up (2006, 2007)

The undisputed king of clay, now confident of dethroning Federer on grass especially with a first Queen's title under his belt and with a career record of 11 wins in 17 matches against the world number one. Bidding to be the first man since Bjorn Borg in 1980 to win French Open and Wimbledon back-to-back.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC (SRB)

World ranking: 3
Birthdate: May 22, 1987
Birthplace: Belgrade, Serbia
Residence: Monte Carlo, Monaco
Height: 6'2'' (187 cm)
Weight: 176 lbs (80 kg)
Plays: Right-handed
Turned Pro: 2003

Career singles titles: 10
Grand Slam singles titles: 1
Career prize money: $8 035 331
Best Wimbledon result: Semifinalist (2007)

The Australian Open champion and second-best player on the tour this year behind Nadal but ahead of Federer. Buoyed by first Grand Slam title, Djokovic can trouble both top seeds but having lost to Nadal last year and at Queen's, he is having trouble escaping the Spaniard's shadow.

ANDY RODDICK (USA)

World ranking: 6
Birthdate: August 30, 1982
Birthplace: Omaha, Nebraska
Residence: Austin, Texas,
Height: 6'2'' (187 cm)
Weight: 195 lbs (88 kg)
Plays: Right-handed
Turned Pro: 2000

Career singles titles: 25
Grand Slam singles titles: 1
Career prize money: $14 069 938
Best Wimbledon result: Runner-up (2004, 2005)

Twice a runner-up, former world number one Roddick has become one of the biggest casualties of the all-consuming Federer-Nadal surge. Recently sidelined by a back injury, he still has the perfect game for grass and will be hoping for a kind draw.

ANDY MURRAY (GBR)

World ranking: 11
Birthdate: May 15, 1987
Birthplace: Dunblane, Scotland
Residence: Dunblane, Scotland
Height: 6'3'' (190 cm)
Weight: 175 lbs (79 kg)
Plays: Right-handed
Turned Pro: 2005

Career singles titles: 5
Grand Slam singles titles: 0
Career prize money: $2 407 154
Best Wimbledon result: 4th rd (2006)

An outside hope but expects to be carried along on a wave of patriotism by a nation whose desperation has been made more acute by the absence of all home nations from the ongoing Euro 2008. Has a thumb injury but fiery, competitive nature should see him at least into second week.