EastbourneTennis.com

Residence: Krakow, Poland
Date of birth: March 6, 1989
Birthplace: Krakow, Poland
Height: 5' 8" (1.72 m)
Weight: 123 lbs. (56 kg)
Plays: Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Status: Pro (April 23, 2005)

Website

Former Eastbourne champion, the crafty baseliner made her Grand Slam main draw debut at 2006 Wimbledon and become the inaugural Polish player to reach women's fourth round. Won first career title at 2006 Stockholm event and added three more titles in 2008 to become first Polish woman to crack the world's top 10. Won Junior 2005 Wimbledon and has since reached Wimbledon quarter-finals.

Residence: Moscow, Russia
Date of birth: July 15, 1989
Birthplace: Moscow, Russia
Height: 5' 11" (1.81 m)
Weight: 159 lbs. (72 kg)
Plays: Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Status: Pro (August 2003)

Website

Russian ace made senior tennis debut aged 14 in 2003 and won the first ITF tournament she entered, since won two WTA titles and briefly cracked world's top 20 in February 2010. Impressive Grand Slam fourth round appearances at Australian Open and Wimbledon. Remembered at Devonshire Park for her 2008 exploits of reaching the quarter-finals as a qualifier.

Residence: Basel, Switzerland
Date of birth: November 6, 1987
Birthplace: Belgrade, Serbia
Height: 6' 1" (1.86 m)
Weight: 152 lbs. (69 kg)
Plays: Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Status: Pro (August 2003)

Website

An offensive baseliner whose game relies heavily on the power, depth and placement of her forehand strokes . The Serbian star has tumbled from the world's top 10 since capturing the 2008 French Open by utilising her two-handed backhand and huge serve with well-timed aces. Performances suffer ups and downs from one match to another, and tends to show difficulty in adapting her strategy.

Residence: Moscow, Russia
Date of birth: July 3, 1991
Birthplace: Samara, Russia
Height: 5' 10" (1.77 m)
Weight: 159 lbs. (72 kg)
Plays: Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Status: Pro (December 2005)

Website

Fresh face on the WTA circuit and swiftly rising up the world ranking. Started 2011 with a semi-final appearance at Brisbane International then reached 3rd round at the Australian Open. The Russian won third WTA career title at Monterrey Open but has since been unable to find her peak form with poor results at BNP Paribas Open and Sony Ericsson Open. Considered to be hard-court specialist with a superb serve.

Residence: Darmstadt, Germany
Date of birth: September 09, 1987
Birthplace: Tuzla, Bosnia
Height: 5' 11" (1.80 m)
Weight: 152 lbs. (69 kg)
Plays : Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Status : Pro (2006)

Website

Petkovic emigrated to Germany when she was five, and turned pro in 2006. Relishes the influences of both cultures on her life - both on and off the tennis courts. Continues to study political science, literature and music. Famous for her "Petko Dance" that accompanies her victories was in danger of becoming more famous than her but her tennis has been catching up this year.

Residence: Neuchatel, Switzerland
Date of birth: March 14, 1987
Birthplace: St. Etienne, France
Height: 5' 5" (1.65 m)
Weight: 137 lbs. (62 kg)
Plays: Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Status: Pro (January 1, 2005)

Website

Rezai's previous run by winning her third singles title with 2010 Madrid Open crown, which saw her surprise Venus Williams in the final having dismissed Justine Henin and Jelena Jankovic in the draw. The Iranian-French ace's Rezai's game is built around blasting the ball with amazing power and depth. Currently French No2 , having taken up tennis after a childhood stint as her older brother's ball girl.

Residence: Monte Carlo, Monaco
Date of birth: April 23, 1983
Birthplace: Poprad, Slovakia
Height: 5' 11 1/4" (1.81 m)
Weight: 137 lbs. (62 kg)
Plays: Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Status: Pro (May 1999)

Website

Possesses an attractive and flowing playing style that relies on timing and technique rather than raw power. Solid backhand and forehand with second serve often a valuable point winner. The frail Slovakian's biggest weakness is her lack of mobility around the court. Introduced to tennis at three by her grandmother, a former Czechoslovakian tennis champion, who signed her into the Slavia STU tennis club.

Residence: Milan, Italy
Date of birth: June 23, 1980
Birthplace: Milan, Italy
Height: 5' 5 1/2" (1.66 m)
Weight: 141 lbs. (64 kg)
Plays: Right-handed (one-handed backhand)
Status: Pro (1998)

Website

Possesses her own unique style of play with heavy spin shots and fast running to become a big fighter on court, especially after being crowned 2010 French Open champion - the first Italian woman to win a Grand Slam singles title. Her nickname of "Scavio", the 5ft 5in imp, is now a familiar face to tennis fans. Should feel at home at Eastbourne as based in London, although grass isn't her favourite surface.

Residence: Melbourne, Australia
Date of birth: April 26, 1987
Birthplace: Bratislava, Slovakia
Height: 5' 7" (1.74 m)
Weight: 148 lbs. (67 kg)
Plays: Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Status: Pro (May 2005)

Website

Currently playing the best tennis of her career, despite the turmoil of a messy divorce from Sam Groth in April 2011, which made headlines in Australia. World ranking soared over 100 places from January 2010 and her coach Gavin Hopper - who worked with Monica Seles and Anna Kournikova - has high hopes for the gritty ace who possesses one of the biggest serves and forehands on the WTA Tour.

Residence: Hannover, Germany
Date of birth: November 2, 1988
Birthplace: Bad Oldesloe, Germany
Height: 5' 11" (1.80m)
Weight: 154 lbs. (70 kg)
Plays: Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Status: Pro (July 2005)

Website

Gorgeous German is set to use her fabulous touch on the grass, having found fame for 2011 back-to-back victories in 10 days over ex-Eastbourne champion Caroline Wozniacki and stunning former world no1 Dinara Safina. Although Goerges had a stuttering start to the 2011 season, she came back strongly and impressed. Certainly has the confidence in her game play and abilities.

Residence: Tallinn, Estonia
Date of birth: June 10, 1985
Birthplace: Haapsalu, Estonia
Height: 5' 11" (1.81 m)
Weight: 163 lbs. (74 kg)
Plays: Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Status: Pro (2000)

Website

Aggressive and strong player who has broken many records as the first Estonian to: win a WTA Tour title (2010 Palermo); reached Grand Slam quarter-finals (three times) and; crack world's top 20. Kanepi builds up her game around her powerful groundstrokes, which took her to world junior no1 before turning professional in 2000. Utilises a game style that is heavy with a powerful serve.

Residence: Wuhan, China
Date of birth: February 26, 1982
Birthplace: Wuhan, China
Height: 5' 7 3/4" (1.72 m)
Weight: 143 lbs. (65 kg)
Plays: Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Status: Pro (1999)

Became China's first Grand Slam singles finalist after finishing runner-up at 2011 Australian Open thanks to her powerful and deep groundstrokes, although the backhand is best weapon. Tends to play from the baseline but is comfortable at the net and adjusts well on all playing surfaces. Weakness is her high number of unforced errors and lacks variety, as hits hard and flat so is rarely producing topspin or slices - needed on grass courts.

Residence: Brno, Czech Republic
Date of birth: February 4, 1987
Birthplace: Brno, Czech Republic
Height: 5' 9" (1.77 m)
Weight: 137 lbs. (62 kg)
Plays: Left-handed (two-handed backhand)
Status: Pro (2002)

Not the greatest mover around court, the left-hander possesses an impressive serve and solid two-handed backhand. Can vary strategies and styles of play in a competitive situation. Swift to spot opportunities and take the initiative, delivering powerful groundstrokes. Prefers slow surfaces to grass and carpet. Can compete with the best, but lapses of concentration have proved costly.

Residence: Barcelona, Spain
Date of birth: August 12, 1982
Birthplace: Yecla, Spain
Height: 5' 9 1/4" (1.76 m)
Weight: 150 lbs. (68 kg)
Plays: Left-handed (two-handed backhand)
Status: Pro (1996)

Unorthodox as she does not neglect volleys and touch for sheer power. Her clever spin variety and aggressive game wins points and fans. Spanish serve-and-volleyer bamboozles opponents, and her delicate touch with a sprinkling of drop shots delivers a dose of miser. Her style was influenced by the Martina Navratilova and has inspired her to race off the baseline to attack the net .

Residence: Geneva, Switzerland
Date of birth: October 2, 1984
Birthplace: Le Puy en Velay, France
Height: 5' 6 3/4" (1.70 m)
Weight: 139 lbs. (63 kg)
Plays: Right-handed (two-handed both sides)
Status: Pro (February 2000)

Unorthodox and intense attacking baseliner whose key to success key is her ability to hit the ball earlier than others - especially on the return of serve - by getting behind the ball that rarely gets pushed back. Possesses wondrous timing along with fast and excellent adjustment steps around the ball, which allows her to strike clean, early and have weight behind all her shots.

Residence: Miami, FL, USA
Date of birth: June 8, 1982
Birthplace: Moscow, Russia
Height: 5' 10 1/4" (1.78 m)
Weight: 143 lbs. (65 kg)
Plays: Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Status: Pro (September 6, 1999)

Website

All-court aggressive player who relies largely on a strong serve, solid volleying skills and powerful groundshots that are well suited to grass courts. Eastbourne regular who likes to take control of matches, dictate points and put pressure on her opponent. Her signature shot is her serve because of both her height and powerful build. Can vary strategies and mix styles of play with baseline probes.

Residence: Fulnek, Czech Republic
DOB: March 8, 1990
Birthplace: Bilovec, Czech Republic
Height: 6' (1.83 m)
Weight: 154 lbs. (70 kg)
Plays: Left-handed (two-handed backhand)
Status: Pro (2006)

Hit-or-miss style of play is currently paying dividends for the youngest Czech ace in the world's top 100, but the lanky six-footer has nerves way above her years by reaching a Wimbledon semi-final despite previously never won a grass court match before her 2010 run at SW19. Hits a very flat ball and a confusing left-handed serve help to provide a glimpse of a potential world no1.

Residence: Gold Coast, Australia
DOB: March 30, 1984
Birthplace: Brisbane, Australia
Height: 5' 7 3/4" (1.72 m)
Weight: 143 lbs. (65 kg)
Plays: Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Status: Pro (1999)

Website

Ex-doubles world no1 has made a fantastic transition to singles, proved by her march to 2010 French Open final. Stosur recently lost weight after catching a salmonella bug in Rome during the Italian Open, but her strength was not been compromised and she can still rely on her aggressive groundstrokes. Has the ability to smash forehand winners from every corner of the tennis court.

Residence: Palm Beach Gardens, FL, USA
DOB: September 26, 1981
Birthplace: Saginaw, MI, USA
Height: 5' 9" (1.75 m)
Weight: 150 lbs. (68 kg)
Plays: Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Status: Pro (September 1995)

Website

Serena Williams, arguably one of the greatest women's tennis players of all-time despite hampered by injuries throughout her career, will make her Devonshire Park debut after watching big sister Venus from the stands in 1998. Williams has won more career prize money than any other female athlete and will be aiming to add the winner's cheque to her millions.

Residence: Macabim, Israel
DOB: May 01, 1987
Birthplace: Jerusalem, Israel
Height: 5' 7" (1.70 m)
Weight: 132 lbs. (60 kg)
Plays: Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Status: Pro (2004)

Website

Fitness fanatic who is an Eastbourne regular but took a knock to her confidence with opening round defeat at 2011 French Open as first seed to exit women's draw. ! During matches often turns her back to opponent between points to face the back of the court, close her eyes and wipe her mental slate clean if losing. Defensive baseliner with fast footwork and exceptional speed to reach the ball.

Residence: Tian Jin, China
DOB: January 8, 1986
Birthplace: Hunan, China
Height: 5' 8" (1.73 m)
Weight: 135 lbs. (61.2 kg)
Plays: Right-handed (two-handed both sides)
Status: Pro

Can vary strategies and styles of play in a competitive situation, but possesses a balanced style despite mainly playing from the baseline. Favours hard courts because of their and the forehand to put away winners. Cracked the world's top 100 in September 2010 after reaching her debut WTA Tour semi-final (at Guangzhou). First came to the public eye as the world no226 wildcard at Beijing in 2009.

Residence: Plovdiv, Bulgaria
DOB: September 13, 1987
Birthplace: Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Height: 5' 11" (1.80 m)
Weight: 143 lbs. (65 kg)
Plays: Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Status: Pro (2002)

Website

Coached by her father (a canoe champion), she is extremely light on her feet and displays graceful footwork. Her style of play is artistic and stunning to watch. Made world headlines by delivering the knockout blow to legendary Venus Williams at 2010 Wimbledon despite her native Bulgaria not even possessing a grass tennis court! Her scurrying style is inconsistent, though her game is not suited to clay.

Residence: Palm Beach Gardens, FL, USA
DOB: June 17, 1980
Birthplace: Lynwood, CA, USA
Height: 6' 1" (1.85 m)
Weight: 160 lbs. (72.5 kg)
Plays: Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Status: Pro (October 31, 1994)

Website

Venus Williams' best surface is grass, resulting in five Wimbledon titles and having reached the final at SW19 eight times in the past decade. The low bounce on that grass helps to make her first serve the most powerful weapon, and her movement on grass is among the best on the WTA Tour - courtesy of developing into a skillful volleyer - despite being a powerful baseliner.

Residence: Boynton Beach, FL, USA
DOB: February 3, 1989
Birthplace: Monterey Park, CA, USA
Height: 5' 5" (1.65 m)
Weight: 128 lbs. (58 kg)
Plays: Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Status: Pro (July 5, 2006)

American ace Vania King won maiden WTA Tour singles title as a 16-year-old and swiftly broke into world's top 20. But she is most impressive at doubles and made her first Grand Slam final in the 2009 French Open Mixed Doubles with Marcelo Melo. Fed Cup player King is relatively short at 5'5" and plays a European style thanks to European coaches Tarik Benhabiles and before him Erwann Lerident.

Residence: Moscow, Russia
DOB: September 7, 1984
Birthplace: Moscow, Russia
Height: 5' 7 3/4" (1.72 m)
Weight: 130 1/2 lbs. (59.1 kg)
Plays: Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Status: Pro (September 2000

Website

Unlike several of her compatriots, she has yet to convert her early promise into success at the highest level despite plenty of dangerous shots. The one major factor that goes against her is the mental frailty - has been known to cry on court when things have not gone her way. A baseline counter-puncher with great offensive capabilities, assisted by her speed around court and a passion for fitness.

Residence: Scottsdale, AZ, USA
DOB: July 31, 1989
Birthplace: Minsk, Belarus
Height: 5' 10" (1.80 m)
Weight: 132 lbs. (60 kg)
Plays: Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Status: Pro (2003)

Website

Loud grunter who is a very defensive baseliner and rarely approaches the net as tends to triumph in baseline battles. Covers the court well and dominates every point although each match clearly depends on her form going into each event. Known for her well-timed and powerful groundstrokes. Ararenka admits: "I'm blonde, I'm tall, I play tennis and I like clothes and fashion!"