Before they were famous

Ask American Andre Agassi's father Mike about why his son began playing tennis and he'll tell you how the number 3 seed had huge eyes as a baby and would follow a ball waved in front of him in his crib. At two, he was able to serve a ball overhead.

The number 1 ranked player Lleyton Hewitt set his alarm clock to watch fellow Aussie Pat Cash win the 1987 Wimbledon final at the age of six - a moment he still cites as his inspiration.

As Briton Tim Henman steps out on to the court he will no doubt remember that at the age of five he watched Bjorn Borg and wished he could play.

Pete Sampras started playing tennis at the age of seven in California. His boyhood idol was Rod Laver, and at 11 he got the chance to play with his hero.

Yevgeny Kafelnikov's childhood idol was Ivan Lendl. When not playing tennis he likes to relax by fishing in the clear Black Sea and by watching his favourite football team, Spartak Moscow.

Another Russian, Marat Safin, began playing at the age of three and his mother was a top 10 player in their homeland.

Venus and Serena Williams's father, Richard, spotted their talent in their early childhoods and coached them to win at the highest level. When they were just six or seven, their parents took them aside and explained the huge sacrifices required to become a star.

Belgian Kim Clijsters had to take time off school to play tournaments when she burst on to the international scene three years ago. Clijsters, whose boyfriend is Lleyton Hewitt, comes from a sporting family - her father is the former international footballer Leo Clijsters.

Justine Henin, ranked number six, already had a private coach by the time she was five.

Her fourth ranked opponent, Monica Seles, learnt to play tennis at six by hitting balls with her father between the cars at a nearby parking lot. He had to draw cartoons on the balls to keep her interested.

Her father Stefano was so determined Jennifer Capriati would succeed as a multi-million dollar superstar he even encouraged his wife to perform sit-ups while pregant so the newborn baby would be fitter.

The one thing in common all the players have is a desire to live the dream and win the ultimate prize in tennis.