By Kamakshi Tandon

Almost all of the top contenders for Wimbledon this year opted not to play warmup events on the grass, preferring to hit the practice courts instead. They also took time out to make a few public appearances. Did the approach pay off? Here's how five of the stars made news during the two weeks before Wimbledon and how they've fared at the Championships.


Maria Sharapova
Status: Out
Warmups played last year: 1 (Birmingham)

Before: Sharapova attended the NBA finals in Los Angeles the week after the French Open, wearing a "We Love LA Lakers" t-shirt. Once in England, she did a press event for one of her sponsors, Gatorade and attended the Sony Ericsson WTA players' party at the Kensington rooftop gardens the Thursday before Wimbledon.

At Wimbledon: After a steady opening win, the former champion produced some scratchy play and was taken down in two sets by bold compatriot Alla Kudryavtseva.

Ana Ivanovic
Status: Out
Warmups played last year: 1 ('s-Hertogenbosch)

Before: Fresh off winning the French Open and becoming No. 1, Ivanovic was feted by large crowds when she returned to her hometown in Belgrade. She took some time to let the achievement soak in, pulling out of the WTA event in Eastbourne the following week. Ivanovic also attended the pre-Wimbledon WTA player party, and like Sharapova, was much in demand for TV interviews.

At Wimbledon: After a quick opening win, she was about two millimetres away from going out to Natalie Dechy in the second round - she saved the second of two match points against her with a letcord winner that hit the tape and only just bounced over. But she couldn't pull off a miracle twice in a row, and her error-prone performance wasn't good enough against Jie Zheng's hard-driving shots in the third round.

Jelena Jankovic
Status: Out
Warmups played last year: 2 (Birmingham, 's-Hertogenbosch)

Before: Jankovic pulled out of Birmingham and took a rare vacation after the French Open, spending some time in the Serbian mountains before returning for the players' party.

At Wimbledon: She struggled in her third round match with Caroline Wozniacki, getting treatment for her knee before winning in three sets. Then grass-lovingveteran Tamarina Tanasurgarn took out the hobbled Serb in the last 16.

Serena Williams
Status: Into quarterfinals, played one tight set
Warmups played last year: 0

Before: Serena practiced on hardcourts with sister Venus at home in Florida before spending some time promoting the WTA's new ad campaign and attending the player party.

At Wimbledon: She has plenty of practice playing Grand Slams without warmups, and was only briefly challenged by former champ Amelie Mauresmo in the third round.

Venus Williams
Status: quarterfinals, played four tight sets
Warmups played last year: 0

Before: Venus has been a familiar image around London thanks to a photography book that features her in some classic tennis-style pictures. Like the rest of the top players, she too attended the players' party.

At Wimbledon: Like last year, she's started in patchy form, but is capable of going into high gear at any time. And once the four-time champion gets grooved, watch out.