Top-ranked Serena Williams, a last-minute withdrawal last year at Melbourne Park, was confirmed atop the women's seeding for next week's Australian Open.

Men's No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt, bidding to become the first Australian in 27 years to win the major on home soil, heads the men's seedings announced on Wednesday by the Australian Open organizers.

Andre Agassi, a seven-time Grand Slam titlist who pulled out of his defence of the Australian Open due to a wrist injury last January, is seeded No. 2 among the men.

With the exception of injured Briton Tim Henman, ranked No. 8, the rest of the top 10 followed the ATP entry rankings leaderboard.

From 3rd to 8th, the men's seedings were: Marat Safin of Russia, Juan Carlos Ferrero and Carlos Moya of Spain, Roger Federer of Switzerland, Jiri Novak of the Czech Republic and Albert Costa of Spain.

American Andy Roddick is seeded 9th when Henman withdrew and No. 12-ranked David Nalbandian, last year's losing Wimbledon finalist, is seeded 10th after world No. 11 Tommy Haas withdrew.

Defending champion Thomas Johansson of Sweden is injured and won't be defending his title, while Pete Sampras, the reigning U.S. Open champion and a two-time winner Down Under, won't be competing in Melbourne.

Chilean Marcelo Rios, runner-up here in '98, Greg Rusedski of Britain and Frenchman Arnaud Clement, runner-up in 2001, are all sidelined with injuries.

Serena Williams is chasing her fourth consecutive major. An ankle injury forced her out of the season-opening Grand Slam last year but she returned to win the French Open, Wimbledon and U.S. Open.

Her sister Venus Williams, losing finalist at the French and U.S. Opens and Wimbledon in 2002, is seeded No. 2 ahead of two-time defending Australian Open champion Jennifer Capriati.

Belgian pair Kim Clijsters, who upset Serena Williams to win the season-ending WTA Championships last November, and Justine Henin are seeded fourth and fifth.

Amelie Mauresmo of France is ranked sixth but will miss the Australian Open, as will No. 9 Jelena Dokic and No. 10 Martina Hingis, who lost the last three finals at Melbourne Park after winning the previous three titles.

 From 6th to 10th, the seeded women are: Monica Seles of the United States, Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia, Russia's Anastasia Myskina and American pair Lindsay Davenport and Chanda Rubin.

The Australian Open starts next Monday and will conclude with the men's final on January 26.