Wimbledon 2019 draw: Why Roger Federer is seeded above world No2 Rafael Nadal at SW19

Wimbledon awarded Federer the second seed, behind the top seed Novak Djokovic, with Nadal seeded third and the big-serving South African Kevin Anderson fourth

Roger Federer has been seeded above Rafael Nadal for the 2019 Wimbledon Championships despite being below his old rival in the current world rankings.

Wimbledon awarded Federer the second seed, behind the top seed Novak Djokovic, with Nadal seeded third and the big-serving South African Kevin Anderson fourth.

For other major tournaments seeding follows the ATP world rankings, but at Wimbledon those rankings are adjusted for each player’s form on grass. It means Nadal is guaranteed to be in the same half of the draw as either Federer or Djokovic, the defending champion.

As the All England Club explains: “The seeds are the top 32 players on the ATP ranking list, BUT then rearranged on a surface-based system. Since 2002 a seeding committee has not been required for the Gentlemen’s Singles following an agreement made with the ATP.

“The seeding order is determined using an objective and transparent system to reflect more accurately an individual player’s grass court achievements. It is based on giving additional credit for grass court performance in the two year period immediately before the date used for seeding for The Championships. The formula is:

- Take the ATP Ranking points at 24 June 2019

- Add 100% of the points earned for all grass court tournaments in the immediate past 12 months period prior to 24 June 2019

- Add 75% of the points earned for the best grass court tournament in the 12 months prior to that.”

Anticipating the possibility of being seeded below Federer, Nadal said this week that Wimbledon’s system was disrespectful.

Nadal won the French Open last month (Getty)

“I think it’s the usual thing,” Nadal said. “Wimbledon is the only tournament of the year that they do what they want in that sense, with their own criteria. Whether I’m two or three, I’ll have to play at my best. I will accept being three if they see it that way and I will fight to try to win my matches.

“The only thing that does not seem right to me about this story is that it is only Wimbledon that does it, only one tournament. ‘It has not only happened to me, it has happened to other players. They do not respect the status that some players have earned throughout the season.”

Anderson is seeded fourth, well ahead of his world ranking of eight, after reaching the final for the first time last year, with Dominic Thiem, Alexander Zverev and Stefanos Tsitsipas all bumped down one position.

Kei Nishikori, John Isner and Karen Khachanov round off the top 10 while British No 1 Kyle Edmund is seeded 30th, one place above his ranking.

The women’s seedings are the same as the rankings, with French Open champion Ashleigh Barty top of the pile for the first time at a grand slam ahead of Naomi Osaka. Defending champion Angelique Kerber is seeded fifth, Serena Williams 11th and British number one Johanna Konta 19th.