WIMBLEDON '95: SERVICE RECORD OF; THE WOMEN'S SEEDS

1 STEFFI GRAF

GERMANY

26

1

Five titles since 1988. But in difficult conditions made a shock first-round exit last year at the hands of Lori McNeil

In spite of chronic back problem and frequent bouts of illness, has won all five of the tournaments she has entered, including the French Open

Athleticism, discipline, a fierce forehand, and a sliced backhand that provides her with one of the most effective approach shots in grass court tennis

Impatience, and occasional nervousness. The forehand is a go-for- broke shot with which she can often miss

Darling of German tennis who now spends most of her time out of the country - in Boca Raton, Florida, or New York. Boyfriend is Michael Bartels, a German racing driver

Meryl Streep

"I still love the game so much that I hope to be able to compete for a little while"

2 ARANTXA SANCHEZ VICARIO

SPAIN

23

2

Debut 1987. Never got beyond the quarter-finals

Twice a runner-up in Grand Slams: to Mary Pierce in Australia, and Steffi Graf in Paris. Won two tournaments

Tremendous fighting spirit and rarely troubled by self-doubt. Is tough, aggressive with a great ability to retrive from the beyond the baseline

Clay is what matters to Sanchez, and thus it is the French Open, not Wimbledon, that is the focus of her season. Volleying not her strong point - but then usually it doesn't have to be

At the heart of the thriving tennis scene in Barcelona, city of her birth. Member of an illustrious family of tennis players

Demi Moore

"It's a weekday. People are in their offices." (Explaining the lack of adoring fans on her return from winning the French Open last year)

3 CONCHITA MARTINEZ

SPAIN

23

3

Surprise winner last year, after reaching the semis in 1993 and second round in 1992, her other two appearances

Unbeaten in four tournaments on clay (Hilton Head, Amelia Island, Hamburg and Rome) until Graf knocked her out in semi-finals of French Open

Strong all-court game with a booming backhand, which was mainly what did for Martina Navratilova in last year's final

Her mind can play tricks with her. Lacks the ability to take a grip against the toughest opponents

Another Barcelona girl, though she was born in Monzon, 150 miles to the west. Great friends with Gigi Fernandez

Julie T Wallace

"I know everyone wanted Martina to win, but I'm not sorry she didn't"

4 JANE NOVOTNA

CZECH REPUBLIC

26

5

Famously runner-up to Graf in 1993 when she led 4-1 in the third set. Beaten in last year's quarter-finals

Won in Linz; beaten by Chanda Rubin in third round at French Open after being 5-0 up in the final set and 40-0 on her opponent's serve

Has always looked good at Wimbledon, and her success in reaching 1993 final was no fluke. Clean striker of the ball who moves well and has plenty of class

Tenative and prone to lose hr rhythm. After her latest collapse in the French Open, her status as the No 1 choker of the women's is unchallenged

Born in Brno, lives in Belgium. Coached by Hana Mandlikova. Likes a royal shoulder to cry on

Vanessa Redgrave

"It can happen to anybody" (on losing from a winning position)

5 MARY PIERCE

FRANCE

20

4

None, having made late withdrawals from both the past two tournaments

Won first Grand Slam title in Australia. Lost in quarter-finals of French Open

Player of moods who has the strength of shot to blast opponents off the court. Tall, imposing, and a flamboyant hitter with a forehand that, on its day, is even better than Steffi Graf's

Inexperienced on grass. The spotlight will be on her after her two previous non-

appearances, and she probably will not enjoy it

Vivid. Survived upbringing at hands of violent father to represent country of her mother's birth, although she was born in Canada and grew up in the United States

Laura Dern

"They are very nice guys and I like to have them with me." (On her bodyguards)

6 KIMIKO DATE

JAPAN

24

6

Third round last year was her best effort in five attempts

One title, runner-up to Steffi Graf at Lipton tournament in Florida, semi-finalist in French Open

Durability, footwork, concentration. Has an interesting, forehand rarely seen these days - hit flat rather than with top-spin, which is the Japanese style. Steady serve

Yet to feel comfortable as a top player. Goes into Wimbledon tired after her Paris performance, she says, and unsettled by newspaper allegations about her love life

Born Kyoto, lives in Tokyo. Naturally left-handed, but had to change according to Japanese custom

Setsuko Hara (the Garbo of Japanese cinema)

"There is no special meaning in my smile"

7 LINDSAY DAVENPORT

UNITED STATES

19

7

Quarter-finalist last year at only her second attempt

Quarter-finalist in Australian Open. Beat Date to win in Strasbourg before losing to her in fourth round of French Open

Gives it all she's got - which is quite a lot from a 6ft 2in, 12st frame. Meaty forehand and effective serve make her a tough proposition on grass

Easily outmanoeuvred, partly because of her physique, partly because she has yet to learn the finer points of tennis tactics

Born and lives in California. Approved of by women's tour for remaining in school after she had turned professional

Kathy Bates

"I couldn't miss my high school prom"

8 GABRIELA SABATINI

ARGENTINA

25

8

Has played every time since first appearance in 1985. Runner-up in 1991, fourth round last year

Won in Sydney at start of year. Beaten by Graf in quarter-finals of French Open

Backhand was great; it is still good. Now one of the most experienced players on the Tour, who will be out to prove that she can reproduce the glorious form of 1991

A testing serve is a pre-requisite in the modern game. Sabatini's tends to the wishy-washy, and her mental outlook is sometimes as much of a handicap

Born and lives in Buenos Aires. Bought a full working ranch in Argentina in 1992 and appointed her father, a former General Motors executive, to run it

Geena Davis

"I like to spend time with my pet dog Clayton"

9 ANKE HUBER

GERMANY

20

10

Never got further than fourth round in five attempts since 1990

Twice a semi-finalist, in Delray Beach and Hamburg. Beaten by Graf in fourth round of French Open

Improved consistency, greater aggression. Hits a mean two-fisted backhand. Has benefited from growing up while her country's attention was all on Steffi Graf

Lack of self-belief. Head tends to drop when the points are not going her way. Still too young to stand much chance of inflicting any serious damage

Born Bruchsal, near Heidelberg. Still lives in Germany. Another dog-lover: hers is a Tibetan terrier named Buru

Teresa Russell

"I try to play my own game, but sometimes it's difficult"

10 NATALIA ZVEREVA

BELARUS

24

11

Played every year since 1987. Three times a quarter-finalist

Runner-up to Mary Joe Fernandez in Indian Wells, but made a surprise first-round exit from the French Open

Fluent strokemaker with plenty of flair, who even the best players need to be wary of. Prepared to gamble

Inconsistency and lack of concentration. There is a limit to how much work she is prepared to put into her tennis

Born and lives in Minsk. One of the more independent-minded women on the Tour, with a cheerful, take-it-or-leave-it attitude that appeals to her fellow-pros

A young Wendy Craig

"I need to enjoy myself. If I'm not, my tennis suffers"

11 IVA MAJOLI

CROATIA

17

12

Lost in the first round last year, her only appearance

Confirmed her status as rising star of world game. Knocked Mary Pierce out of French Open before losing in quarter- finals

Sound technique allied to much greater tactical awareness than might be expected of one so young

Virtually no experience on grass. Can hardly be expected to be a dominant figure at Wimbledon - yet. Even Martina Navratilova took five years before she won it

Born in Zagreb. Joined Nick Bollettieri Academy in Florida but missed family and friends and came home

A young Flora Robson

"It's pretty boring in Florida. There are so many old people"

12 AMY FRAZIER

UNITED STATES

22

13

Six appearances. Fourth round in 1991 and 1992. Knocked out in first round last year

Beat Kimiko Date to win Japanese Open. Semi-finalist in Oklahoma City. Lost in third round of French Open

Big-hitting right-hander who beat Monica Seles in 1990 and has wins over most of the other top players

Erratic. Numerous early-round exits and moderate form on grass suggests Wimbledon is probably not for her

Born St Louis, Missouri, lives in Michigan. High achiever academically who began playing tennis when she was three

Farrah Fawcett Majors

"My favourite colour is blue"

13 MARY JOE FERNANDEZ

UNITED STATES

23

13

Eight appearances. Best was 1991 when she reached the semi-final

Won in Indian Wells, but lost in first round of French Open

Tall (5ft 10in) and stately presence about the court, whose flowing game has brought her success before and can do so again

Often fails to punch her weight. Not the quickest mover and, with the exception of 1991 a mostly indifferent performer on grass

Born Dominican Republic, lives in Miami. It's Joe with an "e" because her name is an anglicised version of Maria-Jose

Andie MacDowell

"We should try to stop kids dropping out of school early"

14 NAOKO SAWAMATSU

JAPAN

21

15

Played every year since 1990. Fourth round in 1992 and 1994

Quarter-finalist in Australian Open, semi-finalist in Indian Wells, third round in French Open

Tidy, efficient, gutsy competitor whose quiet progress has been overshadowed by the rise of compatriot Kimiko Date

In spite of reasonable amount of experience, has never shown the power and speed to be a serious contender on grass

Born and lives in Nishinomiya, near Kobe. Read Japanese literature at Kobe University. Plays the piano

Syliva Chang (Eat Drink, Man Woman)

"I want to do well at Wimbledon because my aunt won the doubles there in 1975"

15 BRENDA SCHULTZ-MCCARTHY

HOLLAND

24

16

Never got further than fourth round in seven attempts

Won in Oklahoma City, semi-finalist at Delray Beach, second round at French Open

With a serve that regularly clocks in at 120mph-plus - the fastest on the circuit - Schultz is made for grass. Decent run is somewhat overdue

At 6ft 2in, mobility can be a problem. Can be a little slow off the mark, and over- reliant on her serve

Born in Haarlem. Homes in Holland and Florida. Has learnt tae kwan do, not that anyone is likely to want to take her on

Sigourney Weaver

"It doesn't matter if you win or lose until you lose"

16 HELENA SUKOVA

CZECH REPUBLIC

30

17

More than any other seed. Five quarter-

finals from 13 appearances.

Has played very little. Semi-finalist in Rome. Lost in first round of French Open

Experience. Still a graceful mover and strokemaker who will feel relaxed and at home on the All England courts. Height gives her a big advantage overhead

Seems to have reached a point beyond which it will be difficult for her to progress. Tends to be over-run by younger, hungrier players

Born Prague, lives in Monte Carlo. Mother Vera was finalist in 1962. Father was president of Czech Tennis Federation

Judi Dench

"It's the history and tradition of Wimbledon that makes me come back"