Despite being top seed, Hewitt finds himself pitched into the clash of the first round against Sweden’s Jonas Bjorkman, who was the winner in Nottingham last week.

Federer, beaten by Britain’s Tim Henman 12 months ago, should have an easier time against Croatian Mario Ancic.

Both, though, will do well to outperform Andre Agassi, who took just 18 minutes to record a 6-0 opening-set against Israel’s Harel Levy before finishing him off 6-4 6-4.

At 32, Agassi looks to be performing as well as he did when he took the Wimbledon crown a decade ago.

His fitness levels have been lauded by the likes of Henman, who is trying to follow the American in prolonging his career by looking after his body.

‘‘It’s a huge compliment to me that anybody would use me as an inspiration for anything,’’ he said.

‘‘It’s hard to keep healthy in tennis. Your body takes a beating because it is a year-round sport.

‘‘I’ve trained a lot over my career with weights and I’ve protected the important parts of my body such as the shoulders, knees and back.

‘‘I’ve been lucky too in that I have avoided injury. My body hasn’t taken the same punishment as other players.’’

The same could not be said of Sampras, who damaged ribs in an exhibition event at the weekend and feared he may have had to pull out of the tournament altogether.

Instead a pre-match knock-up before his tussle with Britain’s Martin Lee convinced the seven-times champion of his fitness - although he did survive an amazing 18 break points before reaching round two.

‘‘It’s a big concern when you feel anything,’’ said Sampras.

‘‘There’s always a little bit of soreness here and there, but these are things you can usually just play through.

‘‘I was concerned to pick something up two days before the tournament. You don’t want to be feeling anything.

‘‘You want to feel fresh and ready, and if you can’t practise it’s a bit unsettling.’’

While Sampras claimed he had overcome his own minor problem, both Krajicek and Mark Philippoussis - victors over Franco Squillari and Julien Boutter respectively - have seen their careers virtually wrecked by injury over the last few years.

Krajicek admitted he thought of quitting the sport just a month ago after constant arm muscle problems.

‘‘Three or four weeks ago my arm was still bothering me, and we had to set a deadline - not just for Wimbledon but for my whole career,’’ said the Dutchman, who like last year’s champion Goran

Ivanisevic was handed a wild card into the competition.

‘‘About two weeks ago it suddenly improved very quickly.

‘‘I might not be in the best shape because it is difficult to motivate yourself when there is no sign of playing in a tournament again.’’

Philippoussis would have been one of the favourites this year but for an injury-ravaged 18 months when he has been plagued by leg problems.

‘‘I came back for the Australian Open and then got injured again trying to rush things,’’ he said.

‘‘I realise I can’t do that now. I’ve got to let my legs gradually get stronger.

‘‘I spent two months in a wheelchair, and when something like that happens it makes you open your eyes and realise you never know when your career can end.’’