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Non-Tennis Gifts for Tennis Players Great Christmas Gifts for Tennis Players (2024 Edition) Ultimate Stocking Stuffer List for Tennis Players (2024 Edition) Secrets of Winning Tennis The USTA Encourages Double Dipping The Speed Ladder Tennis Beyond the Headlines: November 18, 2024

It Takes Effort to Find Tennis on TV

On By Teresa Merklin

Televised tennis in the United States is not at all viewer friendly. Fragmented coverage is spread across whatever network happens to own the rights to the sport in any given week. It is a is a real problem for the overall tennis ecosystem. In order to increase participation in any sport, prospective players have to be exposed to it. Television broadcasts are an effective way to raise awareness and attract participation. All sports are filled with stories of how a player watched it in their youth that sparked their dreams to play at the highest level.

The Press Conference in a Parking Lot

On By Teresa Merklin

Yesterday we discussed how the organization known as the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) was established as an influential force in tennis via the Wimbledon player boycott of 1973. When the ATP was first founded, the fledging organization considered creating their own tour. However, the ATP lacked both the financial resources and confidence to make it happen at that time. The Men’s Tennis Council (MTC) was formed to fill the void and oversaw the professional men’s tennis tour from 1974 to 1989. The demise of that arrangement is a fascinating tale of power and politics in tennis.

The Wimbledon Player Boycott of 1973

On By Teresa Merklin

The organization known as the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) was founded in 1972. Initially the ATP membership consisted of only the players and the organization didn’t have all that much power. That all changed in when the ATP membership pulled together to boycott Wimbledon in 1973. It was one of the most effective labor strikes in the history of professional sports.

On The Ball: Doubles Tennis Tactics for Recreational Players

On By Teresa Merklin

Unless another book comes tumbling off the shelf at me again, Gyata Stormon’s volume on tennis doubles is the final installment in the series of books that I happen to own on the topic. For what is likely to be a brief window in time, I can stake the claim that I have read all the tennis doubles books that I own. It is an accomplishment, no matter how fleeting the moment ultimately turns out to be.

Breakfast at Wimbledon

On By Teresa Merklin

Strawberries and Cream at Wimbledon is arguably the most iconic food associated with any of the Grand Slam tournaments. Noshing on strawberries and cream is the perfect way to get into the spirit when watching the final rounds of the tournament this week. Despite the claims of many recipes on the internet, at Wimbledon fresh strawberries are served with unsweetened (and not whipped) cream. It couldn’t be easier to prepare.

Titles and Towels at Wimbledon

On By Teresa Merklin

In 2019 Wimbledon announced that female players would no longer be referred to by titles that reflected their marital status when announcing the score during matches. The change to “move with the times” was a result over controversy at the tournament the previous year when “Mrs. Serena Williams” was used after she was married. Since she did not take the name of her husband, it would have been incorrect to refer to her as Mrs. Alexis Ohanian.

Unlimited Doubles!!

On By Teresa Merklin

This week’s book on how to play doubles in tennis is one that I forgot that I owned when this series was originally mapped out. Last weekend it came tumbling off the shelf at me when I was looking for another unrelated book. The sting of the book was experienced on multiple dimensions. In addition to literal physical impact, it brought on the realization that my anticipated break from the topic of tennis doubles had extended an additional week. I would also be remiss if I failed to mention that the double exclamation point at the end of the title offends my sensibilities.