Tennis: Wimbledon '93: The top eight women's seeds

Steffi Graf

Born: Bruhl, Germany (14 June 1969)

Home: Bruhl and Boca Raton, Fla

Height: 5ft 9in

Weight: 9st 4lb

Plays: Right-handed

Winnings: pounds 7.2m

Wimbledon record: 4th rnd (1984), 4, -, F, W, W, SF, W, W

THE defending champion frequently arrives under a cloud, which often disappears before the second Saturday. On this occasion, a foot injury dampened her celebrations after winning the French Open and regaining the world No 1 position a fortnight ago. The knife attack on Monica Seles has also played on her mind. If the forehand is working, she will take some stopping.

Martina Navratilova

Born: Prague, Czech(18 Oct 1956)

Home: Aspen, Colorado, US

Height: 5ft 8in

Weight: 10st 3lb

Plays: Left-handed

Winnings: pounds 11.68m

Wimbledon record: 3rd rnd (1973), 1, QF, SF, QF, W, W, SF, SF, W, W, W, W, W, W, F, F, W, QF, SF

THE most prolific champion, with a record nine titles from 20 consecutive appearances. A quarter-final defeat by the 15-year-old Jennifer Capriati in 1991 seemed to signal the beginning of the end for the great serve-volleyer. Not so. She pushed Monica Seles to three sets in the semi-finals last year and returns, at 36, as the chief challenger to Graf.

A Sanchez Vicario

Born: Barcelona, Spain (18 Dec 1971)

Home: Andorra, Spain

Height: 5ft 6 1/2 in

Weight: 8st 8lb

Plays: Right-handed

Winnings: pounds 2.65m

Wimbledon record: 1st rnd (1987), 1, QF, 1, QF, 2

A member of Wimbledon's Last Eight Club, but yet to add to her triumph at the 1989 French Open when she was just 17. The impressive retriever has had a profitable year on the tour so far without cracking the majors. Was defeated by in the semi-finals of the Australian Open and by Mary Joe Fernandez at the same stage of the French.

Gabriela Sabatini

Born: Buenos Aires, Arg (6 May 1970)

Home: Buenos Aries and Key Biscayne, Fla

Height: 5ft 8in

Weight: 9st 2lb

Plays: Right-handed

Winnings: pounds 4.03m

Wimbledon record: 3rd rnd (1985), SF, QF, 4, 2, SF, F, SF

HAS everything except a forceful serve, and this cost her the title in 1991, when she was lost to Graf in the final. Graf beat her comfortably in last year's semis. Must repair the psychological damage of losing a 6-1, 5-l lead against Mary Joe Fernandez at the French. If she can, anything is possible.

Mary Jo Fernandez

Born: Dominican Republic (19 Aug 1971)

Home: Miami, Florida, US

Height: 5ft 10in

Weight: 10st

Plays: Right-handed

Winnings: pounds 1.73m

Wimbledon record: 1st rnd (1986), 4, 4, 4, -, SF, 3

LOST to the unseeded American, Amy Frazier, in the third round last year, but has worked hard to improve her stamina and the range of her game, which used to be rooted to the baseline. The results were seen at the French Open. She not only made an amazing comeback to defeat Gabriela Sabatini but had opportunities in the final against .

Conchita Martinez

Born: Monzon, Spain (16 April 1972)

Home: Barcelona, Spain

Height: 5ft 7in

Weight: 9st 4lb

Plays: Right-handed

Winnings: pounds 1.06m

Wimbledon record: 2nd rnd (1992)

VENTURED on to Wimbledon's lawns for the first time last year, losing to Natalia Zvereva in the second round. Most assured on clay, she has reached the quarter-finals of the French Open for the last five years. Last month she won the Italian Open, defeating Gabriela Sabatini in the final. It will be interesting to see how she adapts to grass this time.

Jennifer Capriati

Born: New York, US, 29 March 1976

Home: Saddlebrook, Florida

Height: 5ft 8in

Weight: 9st 6lb

Plays: Right-handed

Winnings: pounds 854,359

Wimbledon record: 4th rnd (1990), SF, QF

AFTER losing to Gabriela Sabatini in the quarter-finals last year, the prodigy lifted her spirits by winning the Olympic gold medal in Barcelona, defeating in the final. Her form slumped at the United States Open, but after losing to Graf in the quarter- finals of the Australian and French championships this year she could be ready for another breakthrough.

Jana Novotna

Born: Brno, Czechoslovakia, 2 Oct 1968

Home: Brno

Height: 5ft 9in

Weight: 10st 1lb

Plays: Right-handed

Winnings: pounds 1.85m

Wimbledon record: 1st rnd (1986), 4, 2, 4, QF, 2, 3

HAS the serve-volley style to succeed at Wimbledon, but has fallen short. Was eliminated in the third round last year by the unseeded American, Patty Fendick. An excellent doubles player, she has failed to translate her skills into singles performances at the Grand Slams. Almost upset on a fast indoor court at Brighton in October.

(Photograph omitted)