Djokovic and Sharapova share top billing

Defending champion Novak Djokovic and French Open winner Maria Sharapova are the top seeds for this year's Wimbledon Championships.

It is the first time that either player will head into the tournament as top seed, with Djokovic looking to defend the title he won in 2011 and Sharapova eyeing back-to-back Grand Slams after her success at Roland Garros. The Russian ace claimed the SW19 showpiece at the age of 17 back in 2004 but has reached the final on only once occasion since - losing to Petra Kvitova in straight sets in 2011. However, she is now right back at the top of her game and, with the Williams sisters seemingly in terminal decline, will be the player to beat at the All England Club. The women's seedings match the world rankings, with Victoria Azarenka in second, Agnieszka Radwanska third and defending champion Kvitova seeded fourth. US Open champion Sam Stosur is fifth, one place ahead of four-time champion Serena Williams, while Caroline Wozniacki is seventh. In the men's draw, Rafael Nadal is second as he looks to take his clay-court form on to the grass, with six-time champion Roger Federer third, and British number one Andy Murray seeded fourth. Australian teenager Bernard Tomic climbs from 27th to 20th after reaching the quarter-finals last year, while three-time finalist Andy Roddick is seeded 30th as he continues to struggle on most surfaces.