Serena Trains With Nick

Serena Williams' road to Roland Garros begins in Bradenton.

The 2002 French Open champion hit the red clay today, training with legendary coach Nick Bollettieri at the IMG Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Bradenton.

The 10-time Grand Slam champion, who has worked with Bollettieri in preparation for Grand Slam tournaments in the past, is gearing up for another run at Roland Garros. Serena is scheduled to play both Rome next week and Madrid the following week before the French Open starts on May 24.

She recently worked on her serve against a world-class opponent — Colts quarterback Peyton Manning. Venus and Serena and Peyton and brother Eli Manning, the New York Giants quarterback, convened on Boynton Beach for an Oreo Double Stuff promotion. Serena was surprised by Peyton's return of serve skills.

"I loved the fact that it was brothers against sisters. Since, Eli is the younger of the two, I always support the younger sibling because I am the youngest," Serena writes in her blog. "Eli and Manning are such nice guys. I was totally excited because I got to hit balls with Peyton. He is an amazing athlete. But, get this he actually could return my serve! Guys we know that he is not an amazing tennis player (sorry Peyton) but he is an amazing athlete. I mean his tennis skills weren't totally horrible but I just kept thinking, 'he is actually returning my serves' well a couple of times which is pretty cool. What an amazing athlete, I was so impressed! What was MOST exciting is the fact that I got to throw the ball with Peyton Manning!"