Photos: Players prepare for 2014 Wimbledon

Author:
Courtney Nguyen
Publish date:
Jun 22, 2014

LONDON — Wimbledon is set to begin on Monday and the All England Club has seen a busy weekend. Unlike the other three majors, Wimbledon is closed to the public during the weekend before the tournament starts, so players and staff can finish their preparations outside of the wandering public eye.

As Rafael Nadal said, Wimbledon is the most dangerous tournament of the season given its just two weeks after the French Open. The practice courts at Aorangi Park as well as the non-show courts have packed as the players try to cram in as much time on the fresh grass courts as possible.

More photos from the practice courts below:

2014 Wimbledon Practice Courts gallery

Maria Sharapova

It's been 10 years since the Russian beat Serena Williams in the final to win her maiden Slam at 17-years-old. "I don't think about that victory very often," Sharapova said. "Just sometimes when I need a little pick me up or when I look back at my achievements. When I do think about it, it seems so fresh and it seems like it almost happened yesterday. It's been 10 years and I'm here, yeah, still competing at a high level and still have the motivation."

Novak Djokovic

The Serb hasn't lost before the semifinals since 2010.

Roger Federer (left) with his coach Stefan Edberg

That would be 23 Grand Slams right there.

Caroline Wozniacki

The Dane comes in after a confidence-boosting run to the Eastbourne semifinals last week.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga

Now ranked No. 17, Tsonga could move back up the rankings with a good run here. He retired with injury in the second round last year.

Rafael Nadal

Rafa-Nadal-(2).jpg — Al Bello/Getty Images

He was the last man to complete the French Open/Wimbledon double in 2010. Can he do it again?

Li Na (left) with Wozniacki

Li hasn't played a match since her first round loss at the French Open.

Federer

Even Roger hits the deck once in a while.

Ana Ivanovic

A semifinalist in 2007, is Ivanovic a dark horse here? "After thinking that in French Open, I'll don't want to ever think about that again," Ivanovic said in Birmingham, where she won the title two weeks ago.