Photos show how much Wimbledon’s grass changes over two weeks

One of the most beautiful sights in sports is the perfectly manicured grass on day one of The Championships at Wimbledon. But by the end of the tournament, that gorgeous grass has a decidedly more worn look that perfectly reflects what the players go through during the fortnight.

Before the tournament starts, the grass is absolutely pristine.

Wimbledon grass before the tournament starts.Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

It almost doesn’t look real and nobody is allowed to walk on it.

Wimbledon grass before the tournament starts.Steve Bardens/Getty Images

But over the next two weeks, the constant pounding from the world’s best tennis players will take its toll.

These photos from Reuters show how the grass at Centre Court at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club looked on each day of the 2015 Wimbledon Championships (click on image for a larger version).

A look at how the grass at Wimbledon changes over two weeks.Stefan Wermuth/Reuters

Here is a closer look at Day 1:

Stefan Wermuth/Reuters

And here is the final day of the tournament:

Stefan Wermuth/Reuters