The masters
Let the Sunshine (Double) in
Jannik Sinner’s pursuit of the long-coveted ATP world number one ranking—still held by his arch-rival Carlos Alcaraz—has recently shifted into high gear. This surge is thanks to the Italian’s back-to-back victories in the Masters 1000 tournaments of Indian Wells (California)…
Roy Emerson: In the Right Place at the Right Time
Roy Emerson in 1962 Only four tennis players in history have achieved the feat of winning every Grand Slam singles title at least twice: Rod Laver, Rafael Nadal, Novak Đoković, and Roy Emerson. The record-holder for total titles (28), the…
A gem from the depths: the story of Althea Gibson
"I always wanted to be somebody" This is the title Althea Gibson chose for her autobiography, published in 1958, shortly after her second Wimbledon victory. It is certainly no secret that she succeeded in her endeavor: Gibson was, in fact,…
‘The Unpleasant Becomes Jimmy the Bastard’
September 9, 1977. Forest Hills, New York: US Open semifinal. Jimmy Connors defeats Corrado Barazzutti 7-5, 6-3, 7-5. It could have been considered routine business for the then four-time Slam champion 'Jimbo' Connors, yet the 1977 US Open semifinal turned…
“Er Francia” shines in Paris: Nicola Pietrangeli becomes Slam champion
Gianni Clerici was perhaps the world’s foremost expert on Nicola Pietrangeli—so much so that he even refused to write a biography of him, as he himself claimed. He knew him so well that he could dissect every single technical move…
25 May 1976: “Panatta, miraculously saved”
Can you picture someone climbing to the top of the Madonnina, slipping, and sliding from spire to spire all the way down to the churchyard? Without a scratch or a bruise, just a lot of fear and cold sweat? You…