Wimbledon:Defending champion Rafael Nadal was named Wimbledon top seed today ahead of five-time winner Roger Federer with Scotland's Andy Murray installed as third seed following last week's win at the Queen's club.
Wimbledon officials employ a unique seeding system where they take into account previous results at the grasscourt championships and there was a strong case for Federer to be named top seed because he has contested the last six finals.
But the committee opted to stick to the world rankings with Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic, Juan Martin del Potro and Andy Roddick completing the top six.
Russia's Marat Safin was the main beneficiary after being bumped up from his world ranking of 23rd to 15th seed following his unexpected run to the semi-finals 12 months ago.
Wimbledon is the only grand slam tournament which does not stick strictly to the ATP ranking list in deciding seedings. In allocating the slots the seeding's committee takes into account performances on grass over a two-year period.
Former women's champion Maria Sharapova has also been boosted up to 24th seed despite being ranked 59th. The Russian returned to the tour last month after a nine-month layoff with a shoulder injury and she has been rewarded for impressive record at the All- England Club.
The women's top 16 seedings have stuck rigidly to the world rankings with Dinara Safina, Serena Williams and Venus Williams heading the field.
Wimbledon begins on Monday and the draw takes place on Friday.
Wimbledon seeds 2009
Men
1. Rafael Nadal, Spain
2. Roger Federer Switzerland
3. Andy Murray, Britain
4. Novak Djokovic, Serbia
5. Juan Martin del Potro, Argentina
6. Andy Roddick, US
7. Fernando Verdasco, Spain
8. Gilles Simon, France
9. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, France
10. Fernando Gonzalez, Chile
11. Marin Cilic, Croatia
12. Nikolay Davydenko, Russia
13. Robin Soderling, Sweden
14. Gael Monfils, France
15. Marat Safin, Russia
16. Tommy Robredo, Spain
Women
1. Dinara Safina, Russia
2. Serena Williams, US
3. Venus Williams, US
4. Elena Dementieva, Russia
5. Svetlana Kuznetsova, Russia
6. Jelena Jankovic, Serbia
7. Vera Zvonareva, Russia
8. Victoria Azarenka, Belarus
9. Caroline Wozniacki, Denmark
10. Nadia Petrova, Russia
11. Agnieszka Radwanska, Poland
12. Marion Bartoli, France
13. Ana Ivanovic, Serbia
14. Dominika Cibulkova, Slovakia
15. Flavia Pennetta, Italy
16. Zheng Jie, China