Only a 10-minute walk from the entrance gate and you will bump into big name players like Andre Agassi, Andy Roddick, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal or Maria Sharapova and Martina Hingis.

And unlike anything people see on television, things are a little more relaxed and casual and the players are within reach here. You can also discover things about the top players that you won't learn from cable TV.

Those who want to see the stars up close have to turn up a few days before the tournament starts and get to the courts about 10am - that's when they start training.

Fans can spot world No 1 Federer wandering between the player's lounge and the practice courts without any security. Of course this will not be the case when the tournament starts. Then he will be surrounded by officials who would not look out of place in the front row of England's rugby team.

People who watch Federer's intense practise sessions will quickly realise why he has won almost 40 trophies, including seven Grand Slam titles. While some players hit with one man, "Fed-Ex" is fast enough to return volleys from two, one his present coach, legendary Australian player Tony Roche.

Agassi, who announced he will retire after the US Open, still pulls a big crowd. The crowd soon grew at his court as fans wanted to get a glimpse of one of the most popular players ever to carry a racquet. One tip. If you want to take a photo with him, he prefers not to be too close.

Also drawing a big number of fans - mostly teenage boys or 20-something men - was Russian glamour girl Sharapova. Of all the players, Sharapova was the hardest to get close to. She walks fast and looks at no one.

Still aged only 25 and with five Grand Slam titles under her belt, Martina Hingis was accompanied by her mother Melanie Molitor, just like the old days.

Lerpong Amsa-ngiam

The Nation

Wimbledon