Showing results for "History" in Tennis

Pristine lawns, tennis whites, strawberries and cream, tennis is synonymous with the upper echelons of society, but scratch beneath the surface and you'll quickly discover a different history, one of untold struggles on and off the courts. From the birth of modern tennis in Victorian Britain to the present day, we bear witness to struggles around sexuality, gender, race, and class that have transformed the nature of tennis and sport itself.

They never won the trophy. They won everything else. While Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic defined one of the greatest eras in tennis history, four Frenchmen were writing a different kind of story. Richard Gasquet's one-handed backhand became one of the most beautiful shots of his generation. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga brought explosive power and unforgettable big-match performances. Gaël Monfils transformed defense and athleticism into pure theater. Gilles Simon out-thought opponents with a remarkable brand of patient, analytical tennis.