Wimbledon's once unchallenged pre-eminence as a premier sporting occasion is being threatened, not by the lure of soccer's World Cup which offers a high-profile counter-attraction this summer, but because it is in danger of being engulfed by its own history, the charm and romance of yesteryear.

The world's elite once again congregate at the All-England club for the next two weeks seeking to reinforce a great British institution; but for all but the most diehard of fans the tournament, or more pointedly the men's singles, has been tarnished by the evolution of the sport, through physique and equipment.

The wheel has turned full circle. Where once it was the male players who enjoyed fame and fortune and whose battles, recorded in folklore, thrilled a generation, it is now Martina Hingis, Anna Kournikova, the William sisters, Venus and Serena, Monica Seles, Steffi Graf and Mary Pierce that are likely to command most of the headlines, for their's is the premier product from a viewing perspective.

The Wimbledon men's singles, unlike any of the other Grand Slam tournaments, has been hampered by the development of physics and physiques. The power harnessed by the modern tennis player, epitomised by Greg Rusedski, Mark Philippoussis, Goran Ivanisevic, Richard Krajicek and players of their ilk, augmented by speed of the grass surface renders some contests as nothing more than testosterone-filled serving duels.

Slow-motion replay can barely capture the flight of the ball so it is questionable whether the spectators manage to see anything other than the billowing of the net or the ball gently re-entering the court having first thudded off the backboard. The modern men's game has spawned a cloning of which Dolly the sheep would be proud: big serving Goliaths who rumble to the net and back.

The non-partisan or occasional viewer harkens for the days of Bjorn Borg, John McEnroe, Jimmy Connors, Vitus Gerulaitis the last era of true superstars where touch, vision, the sheer artistry of the all-court game were cherished and prevalent far more than the thundering serves of a Roscoe Tanner.

People demand to be entertained and it is questionable whether that is possible when all that recommends the majority of men's matches is the number of aces achieved, where rallies are but an occasional visitor to a contest.

Pistol Pete Sampras, world number one, transcends the label of a mere big server. A wonderful athlete, it is his ability to deflect and control the missiles of his opponents that have provided him four titles in the past five championships. Despite a poor year by his standards he must still be regarded as the man to beat.

Ostensibly the main challenge should be mustered by those who can knock a ball down at over 130 miles per hour, Australians Mark `Scud' Philippoussis and Pat Rafter, former champion Richard Krajicek, Russian Yevgeny Kafelnikov and the king of the exocets, Canadian Englishman Greg Rusedski. The latter holds the record: a serve of 149 m.p.h. on March 13th at Indian Wells on his way to beating Thomas Muster earlier this year.

Rafter is probably the most naturally gifted with Krajicek and Kafelnikov vying for the role of most dangerous. Rusedski, beaten by Rafter in the US Open final last year, has been hampered by an ankle injury and much will depend on his fitness.

Sampas may have to hurdle some difficult stumbling blocks in his half of the draw, notably Kafelnikov, Australian Open champion Petr Korda, and Rafter. Tim Henman is also there as is a rejuvenated number 13 seed, Andre Agassi, a man with the charisma and ability to capture a second title.

In the other half Ivanisevic is still an explosive server, Rusedski, Krajicek and last year's beaten finalist France's Cedric Pioline are all capable; and it would be foolish to dismiss the number two seed, volatile Chilean Marcelo Rios, as a clay specialist.

Sampras remains the player to beat with Rafter the man to do it.

The diversity of genuine contenders, the quality and greater breadth of shot-making makes the women's event more compelling. This season Martina Hingis has displayed feet of clay and that will fuel the desire of the `dream teens' Venus and Serena Williams, Anna Kournikova (should she play) and Croatian Mirjana Lucic.

Clothes-horse, Mary Pierce, Iva Majoli and world number two Lindsay Davenport should be too brittle mentally for ultimate glory but the same cannot be said of the recently-rehabilitated Steffi Graf and Monica Seles both of whom boast the mental stamina if not the optimum conditioning.

Perennial contender, Jana Notovna, possesses an ideal game for Wimbledon but as in the men's event it would be brave to ignore the claims of the defending champion, Hingis.

The women's singles suggests an enthralling contest, while for the men it sadly appears to be a case of send in the clones.