Tennis: Ash Barty, Novak Djokovic named Wimbledon top seeds

Ashleigh Barty has formally been named women's top seed for Wimbledon but Rafael Nadal is less than pleased after being demoted to third seed in the men's event.

With the All England Club following the rankings for the women's tournament, new world No.1 Barty heads the 128-player draw ahead of Japanese star Naomi Osaka.

But using a special criteria that factors in previous grass-court results, officials have promoted eight-times champion Roger Federer from third in the rankings to second seed behind men's world No.1 and titleholder Novak Djokovic.

Federer's elevation means he will be on the opposite side of the draw to Djokovic, who could well run into Nadal in a rematch of their epic five-set semi-final from last year.

Wimbledon is the only one of the four annual grand slams not to follow world rankings and Nadal, fresh off winning his 12th French Open crown, believes the controversial system is disrespectful.

"Whether I'm two or three (seed), I'll have to play my best. I will accept being three if they see it that way and I will fight to try and win my matches," said the Spanish great as he chases a third title on the famous London lawns.

"The thing that does not seem right to me about this story is that it is only Wimbledon that does it, only one tournament.

"It has not only happened to me, it has happened to other players. They do not respect the status that some players have earned throughout the season."

South African Kevin Anderson, runner-up to Djokovic last year after eliminating Federer in the quarter-finals, has been seeded fourth in 2019 despite being ranked eighth.

That means demotions for world No.5 Dominic Thiem, who was runner-up to Nadal at Roland Garros this month, as well as Alexander Zverev, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Kei Nishikori, who have also all been seeded one spot below their ranking.

Alex de Minaur, seeded 25th, is the only Australian men's seed this year.

Nick Kyrgios is unseeded for the first time since 2014 having fallen to No.43 in the world rankings.

Women's titleholder Angelique Kerber is the fifth seed, with seven-times Wimbledon champion Serena Williams seeded 11th.

LEADING SEEDINGS FOR WIMBLEDON STARTING ON MONDAY:

WOMEN

1.Ashleigh Barty (AUS)

2.Naomi Osaka (JPN)

3.Karolina Pliskova (CZE)

4.Kiki Bertens (NED)

5.Angelique Kerber (GER)

6.Petra Kvitova (CZE)

7.Simona Halep (ROM)

8.Elina Svitolina (UKR)

MEN

1.Novak Djokovic (SRB)

2. Roger Federer (SUI)

3.Rafael Nadal (ESP)

4.Kevin Anderson (RSA)

5.Dominic Thiem (AUT)

6.Alexander Zverev (GER)

7.Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE)

8.Kei Nishikori (JPN).