Nadal, Federer again top Wimbledon seeding

Defending champion Rafael Nadal, who has been fighting knee problems, was made the No. 1 seed for the Wimbledon Championships, which begin Monday.

Nadal is the No. 1-ranked player in the world but, in his last two tournaments, lost in the final of the Madrid ATP stop to Roger Federer before being beaten in the fourth round of the French Open to Robin Soderling. That loss ended Nadal’s 31-match winning streak at the French Open.

Nadal won Wimbledon last year in a five-set battle with Federer that was immediately called one of the greatest matches of all time. If the pairings play to form this year there could be a rematch as Federer, the world No. 2, was given the No. 2 seed.

Federer, who completed his career Grand slam by winning the French Open, has 14 major tournament titles, tying the record set by Pete Sampras. Federer is looking for his sixth Wimbledon title.

Scotland’s Andy Murray was installed as the third seed while Novak Djokovic is fourth.

The second tier has Juan Martin del Potro seeded fifth, followed by Andy Roddick at No. 6, seventh-seed Fernando Verdasco and Gilles Simon at No. 8.

The Wimbledon Championships open Monday in England and finish up with the men’s singles title match July 5.