1. Maria Sharapova - Opponents will no doubt be wondering how to solve a problem like Maria when Wimbledon starts on June 25. Sharapova famously won the women’s singles title in 2004 and her tennis talent and model looks ensure she’ll serve and volley her way to search success.
2. Ricky Hatton - Manchester’s finest export since Boddingtons takes another step towards boxing greatness as he takes on Jose Luis Castillo in Las Vegas on June 24. Despite being a lifelong Manchester City fan, Hatton will be led to the ring by Manchester United talisman Wayne Rooney.
3. Monty Panesar - Spin sensation Panesar will play a key role when England take on India in a three test series that starts at Lord’s on July 19. India’s superstar batsmen Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid will provide the toughest test yet for England's “Sikh of Tweak”.
4. Lewis Hamilton - With two Grand Prix wins under his belt only six races into his first season and World Champion Fernando Alonso under extreme pressure, the Lewis Hamilton fairy tale shows no sign of abating. His progress to an unprecedented world title victory in his rookie season looks set to get you searching through the summer.
5. Bradley Wiggins - Just one of Great Britain’s excellent crop of track cyclists, Olympic pursuit champion Wiggins has a shot at road race glory when the Tour de France prologue comes to London for the first time. Could he claim the race’s first yellow jersey?

6. Roger Federer - Switzerland’s Federer Express is once again favourite to lift the Wimbledon men’s singles title. Should he be successful, he will equal Bjorn Borg’s record of five successive Wimbledon wins. However, after beating Federer in the French Open, Rafael Nadal will be looking to spoil the party.

7. Kelly Sotherton - Great Britain’s best all-round female athlete since Denise Lewis will be among the favourites for Heptathlon gold at the IAAF World Athletics Championships which get underway on August 25. Swedish star Carolina Kluft blocks her path to glory.

8. Brian O’Driscoll - With Ireland confirmed as the best of the home nation’s rugby teams, O’Driscoll will take centre stage as the boys in green go after Rugby World Cup glory. The tournament starts on September 7 in France, a possible advantage for the northern hemisphere sides.

9. Carlos Tevez - There’s only two football stories certain to keep you searching until the new season starts in August. One is the ongoing wrangle surrounding West Ham United and Argentinian maestro Tevez that looks set to run and run. While the best Sheffield United can hope for is compensation for being relegated, the fallout from their legal challenge will continue to fill the back pages.

10. David Beckham - Thanks to his fairy tale redemption over the last 6 months, Beckham’s first game for LA Galaxy will no doubt send searches for the former England captain soaring. With the Galaxy struggling in Major League Soccer’s Western Division, he shouldn’t have to wait too long for his LA debut.
Discover the remaining 10 potential sporting search stars of the summer