It's the grass season...

Change of season. Change of surface. In tennis, that is. This week, the All England Club welcomes the world to the 2010 edition of The Championships, more commonly known as the Wimbledon.  Of the year's four grand slams, it is the oldest and is still being played in the original surface - grass.  This sports tradition began in 1877 and today, it is regarded as the most prestigious, most neat (all players dressed in white) and the most rainy.  But no worries, with the recent innovation on the tournament's prized structure, the show must go on on the Center Court come rain or bloody weather.

Defending champs Roger Federer and Serena Williams are the top seeds in Men's and Women's draw.  Following Roger is current World No. 1, Rafael Nadal so expect another Swiss-Spaniard showdown in the final.  Third to fifth spots are occupied by Serbia's top player Novak Djokovic, Britain's brightest hope Andy Murray and last year's finalist American Andy Roddick who desperately thirsts for one more major title before he finally hangs his racquet.

In the women's side, an All Williams Club is looming in the finals, a repeat of last year's, as older sister Venus is seeded second.  Venus, at 30, is the most experienced female player in the draw.  The Sisters may face tough challenges from Denmark's rising star, Caroline Wozniacki seeded 3rd, former World No. 1 from Serbia, Jelena Jankovic seeded 4th, and the reigning queen of Roland Garros, Francesca Schiavone from Italy, seeded 5th.

Segue. Besides the hand skills, tennis demands a great deal of foot work. This is where running becomes a key element of the game. Whether you're chasing overhead or drop shots, cross-court or down the line, you run after the ball.  Noticed how Nadal and Clijsters do those sprints? I think more than half the time, your moves in the court from side to side, back and forth are done with those fast, quick strides.  Simply put, you're running all the time. 

These days, it's the roads I am exploring instead of the courts.  But to be cheesy about it, tennis remains my first love (at least I have the balls to admit it).  Hopefully, I can return when the hard court season begins.  I miss my running forehand (the two really together, see).  And by then, I would have run my first ever half-mary (fingers-crossed, hand and toe). Wish me luck.

Meanwhile, enjoy all the action from London!

photo credits: zimbio.com, samaw.com, shumii.wordpress, telegraph.co.uk, dailymail.co.uk, seattletimes.nwsourse, halohalo.ph, abc.net.au, braden.com, topnews.