Latest news with #AllEnglandLawnTennisChampionships
Chicago Tribune
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Billie Jean King on today's tennis, the media and a new play at Chicago Shakespeare about her life
'Billie Jean' is the name of the new play by Lauren Gunderson now in its world premiere at Chicago Shakespeare Theater. This show about the tennis great Billie Jean King is currently in The Yard on Navy Pier through Aug. 10, and then is widely expected to have a life beyond Chicago. King spoke to the Tribune in a telephone interview just after returning from the All England Lawn Tennis Championships, better known as Wimbledon, where she sat next to Princess Kate in the Royal Box for the women's singles final and watched Iga Świątek defeat Amanda Anisimova by a score of 6-0, 6-0. Our conversation has been edited for clarity and length. Q: That final was quite the wipeout. A: Świątek was amazing. She couldn't even get through the qualifier last time. But you know, we don't have two dominant players anymore. It used to be Steffi (Graf) and Monica (Seles), or Chris (Evert) and Martina (Navratilova). Now on a given day, any of the top 200 women can beat any of the others. Q: The women's game has come a long way. A: I put on the tennis channel and I can't believe all the cities we are in now. We've really been the leaders in women's sport since the 1970s. The Ladies Professional Golf Association was founded a year before the Women's Tennis Association but we've eclipsed them. Q: Could you have beaten Świątek or Anisimova when you were in your prime? A: No. My brother played professional baseball for 12 years. Our parents taught us both that every generation gets better. I them to be better. When we women signed our first one-dollar contract, we wanted three things: a place to compete, to be appreciated for our accomplishments and not only for our looks, and to be able to make a living playing the sport we love. Now you see all the other women's sports people are starting to invest in. My former husband and I used to own the Chicago tournament. I've been involved in Chicago for a very long time. Q: You still have your place here, right? A: I do. Q: Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz also played an amazing match. A: They did. Italy and Spain right now have the best male players in the world. And Jannik is such a great guy. You could not ask for a more thoughtful, smarter human being. He walked all the way over as we were leaving Wimbledon and introduced himself to my entire group, one by one. He didn't have to do that. There really has been a changing of the guard with Sinner and Alcaraz and all the others. I've been through six generations of players now. And don't forget the Italian woman, Jasmine Paolini. She loves to perform. Q: You are very easy to talk with. A: I have always talked to the media. When younger players complain about doing so, I've always said, 'Have you ever thought that this is how these people make their livings? And that if you don't talk to them they might lose the job they are in?' No players ever answer yes to that. I always say you have to know the business you are in. I could come up with other names for you to interview if you like. Q: Most athletes don't look at things that way. A: True. Most players also have no clue how much things cost. The top players are just starting to understand they should run their own businesses, not just get money from endorsements. I've invested in sports since 1968. Q: Now Chicago gets to see a play about you. A: When the producer, Harriet (Newman Leve), said she wanted to start in Chicago, I said that's fantastic. Aside from the apartment, I am so invested there. Q: This is not your first go-around in terms of dramatizations of your life. There was the movie, 'The Battle of the Sexes,' about your beating Bobby Riggs. A: We are still friends with Emma Stone (who played King). She married a great guy we love. She had a baby. The baby loves tennis. Did you know tennis was the healthiest sport in the world? They've done research. Q: I can believe it. A: I still love to hit balls against the wall. Q: I can believe that too. So you are involved in this play? A: Are you kidding me? We've been involved. I've met all the actors. I've made suggestions. Lauren (Gunderson) has done a really great job. Q: Chilina Kennedy, a musical star I've seen many times, plays you. A: I want her to sing. She's so talented. Q: Plays about sport can he hard unless you have incredible actor-athletes. Tough to pretend to play like you did. A: Sure. But this play isn't about tennis as much as it is about life. It's off the court that matters here. It's about my trying to figure out my sexuality. I think it's a great platform for the community. Tennis is a part of it, of course. But for me, it's really about the audience so that when they leave they are inspired by something. I hope they can derive something from it that makes their lives better. I think it expresses my journey through the thick and the thin. We've all been going like a bat of hell. Of course. It's about women's sports.
Indian Express
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Wimbledon in words: The best books about tennis' most iconic tournament
'Ladies and gentlemen, quiet please…' It is that time of the year when those words ring out at the All England Lawn Tennis Championships, or, as the world fondly knows it, Wimbledon. Easily the most prestigious tennis tournament in the world, Wimbledon has an aura of its own, complete with celebrity galleries, members of the British monarchy in royal boxes, ball boys and girls in special uniforms, inevitable rain interruptions, a special dish of strawberries and cream, and, of course tennis played strictly in predominantly white attire. For a fortnight in late June and early July, tennis rubs shoulders with tradition and tabloids, and is the centre of the sporting world. Unsurprisingly, numerous books have been written about the tournament. Nearly every tennis player's biography features at least a few pages dedicated to Wimbledon. If you are looking to dive deeper into the event, its stars, and its magic, here's a selection of books that serve up Wimbledon in all its glory. The best book to start reading about Wimbledon is John Barrett's rather weighty and spectacular Wimbledon: The Official History. This is the story of the tournament as told by veteran tennis player and commentator John Barrett, who first brought out the book in 2001, and has been regularly updating it since. At almost 600 pages, it is a slightly lengthy read, but sprinkled liberally among the very immaculate prose (including an introduction by the Duke of York) are dozens of fantastic and rare photographs, and even maps of the courts. You have pretty much everything you wish to know about the tournament here, from history to key matches and players. Barrett tells the story of Wimbledon in chronological order, but intersperses history with lighter sections on interesting aspects of the tournament, such as the presence of royalty at the courts, why the tournament is still played on grass, tennis fashions (the famous dresses of Suzanne Lenglen) and the roles of different members of staff. While the prose is very good, we can see many people getting the book just for the amazing pictures. Our favourite is Bunny Austin, the first man to wear shorts on Centre Court, nonchalantly sipping a cup of tea, watched by an amused policeman. The book has not been updated since 2020, but it remains the one book to read on Wimbledon. If Barrett's tome feels too intimidating, try Richard Jones' The People's Wimbledon: Memories and Memorabilia from the Lawn Tennis Championships. It is a more compact and light-hearted take on the tournament's legacy, filled with archival photos not just of players, but also of old tickets, snacks, toys, and magazine covers. There's even a delightful section called Wimbledonia, which covers the tournament's presence in films, postcards, and print. Although less comprehensive than Barrett's, Jones' book is perfect for those wanting a breezier, nostalgia-tinged read. Like The Official History, however, it could use an update as it ends in 2019. A more personal look at the tournament and its players can be seen in Sue Barker's recent release Wimbledon: A Personal History. Barker, once a top player and now best known as a sports presenter, offers affectionate portraits of Wimbledon legends. She begins with Rod Laver, who she says is the 'one player alone who is responsible for Wimbledon becoming the magical fortnight of history-creating tennis that we all know and love today' and Billie Jean King, and goes on to the likes of the Williams sisters, Emma Raducanu and of course, Roger Federer. At 320 pages, this is an easy read, with a memorable introduction that gives you a feel of the place. You can almost smell the grass and the sound of balls flying off racquets as Barker describes watching the 2023 men's final sitting next to Hollywood star Sir Ian McKellan. It may be rich in tradition and atmosphere, but for many, the greatest attraction of Wimbledon is the tennis itself. Abi Smith's Wimbledon's Greatest Games takes this view and lists fifty of the greatest matches played in the tournament. There are the usual suspects: Borg vs McEnroe in 1980, Nadal vs Federer in 2008 and Agassi vs Ivanesevic in 1992, but also some relatively lesser-known encounters such as Louise Brough vs Maurice Connolly in 1952 and Althea Gibson vs Darlene Hard in 1957. Smith includes several doubles matches, reminding us that the tournament's magic is not limited to singles. You might question the rankings (Nadal vs. Federer at 39?!) or the inclusion of some matches (Becker vs. Curren in 1985 wasn't exactly a thriller), but the storytelling keeps you turning pages. Those wanting to experience a classic match through the pages of a book should grab Malcolm Folley's Borg vs McEnroe: The Greatest Rivalry, The Greatest Match. Folley walks one through the epic 1980 Wimbledon final between the two rivals, which many (us included) consider to be the greatest match of tennis ever played. Folley uses the first 160 pages or so of this slim 220 page volume building up the rivalry of the two legends, and devotes the last thirty odd pages to the match itself, with the 18-16 tie-breaker (remembered as the single greatest game in the history of the sport) getting an entire, nail-biting chapter. It is riveting reading right down to the last page. If you're more into modern rivalries, L Jon Wertheim's Strokes of Genius does a similar job for the Nadal–Federer 2008 final. While it does not quite reach the gladiatorial intensity of Borg vs. McEnroe, it's still essential reading for fans of either legend. Finally, if you are wondering what it takes to win Wimbledon, pick up Analyzing Wimbledon: The Power of Statistics by Franc Klaasen and Jan R Magnus. This offers a statistical viewpoint on what it takes to win matches at Wimbledon. From first-serve percentages to tie-breaker tendencies, this book explores the numbers behind Wimbledon victories with almost forensic precision. While Klaasen and Magnus provide some amazing facts, they get too mathematical at points. Still if you are a stat and trend chaser, this is an absolute treasure trove.
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Harris puts defeat aside to focus on doubles
Tennis player Billy Harris said although he was "gutted" to be out of the Wimbledon singles competition, he is looking forward to getting back on court in the doubles on Thursday. There was disappointment for the 30-year-old on Wednesday when he lost 6-3 6-4 7-6 (9-7) in the second round to Portugal's Nuno Borges. Advertisement Harris said although it was a "frustrating" defeat, his opponent had been "pretty solid from his serve and from the baseline, so it was a tough match". "But it is what it is and we move on to the doubles now," he said. More on this story Reaching the second round at the All England Lawn Tennis Championships marked the player's best run at the event, after losing in the first round on his debut in 2024. Reflecting on Wednesday's match, Harris said: "I had my chances and I think I missed one passing shot on set-point by an inch. "I had a couple more set-points, so you've got to take those kind of chances in these matches, but that's tennis, it's always like that. Advertisement "He's a very solid player from the back of he court, so if you're not doing enough with the ball he's going to move you around all day. "In the third set I think I was feeling the ball a lot better, had a bit more rhythm in my service games, but I couldn't take the tie-break in the end." Harris praised the "great support from the crowd" as well as the messages from friends and family on the Isle of Man. "Big thanks to them and I was just gutted that I couldn't take it further," he said. Looking ahead to his doubles match on Thursday against Kazakhstan's Alexander Bublik and Flavio Cobolli of Italy, Harris said playing alongside fellow British player Marcus Willis was something he was relishing. Advertisement "Marcus is a great doubles player and if we put a great performance together we can win some matches." Harris was defeated in straight sets in his second round match on Wednesday [PA Media] Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X. Related internet links
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Harris puts defeat aside to focus on doubles
Tennis player Billy Harris said although he was "gutted" to be out of the Wimbledon singles competition, he is looking forward to getting back on court in the doubles on Thursday. There was disappointment for the 30-year-old on Wednesday when he lost 6-3 6-4 7-6 (9-7) in the second round to Portugal's Nuno Borges. Advertisement Harris said although it was a "frustrating" defeat, his opponent had been "pretty solid from his serve and from the baseline, so it was a tough match". "But it is what it is and we move on to the doubles now," he said. More on this story Reaching the second round at the All England Lawn Tennis Championships marked the player's best run at the event, after losing in the first round on his debut in 2024. Reflecting on Wednesday's match, Harris said: "I had my chances and I think I missed one passing shot on set-point by an inch. "I had a couple more set-points, so you've got to take those kind of chances in these matches, but that's tennis, it's always like that. Advertisement "He's a very solid player from the back of he court, so if you're not doing enough with the ball he's going to move you around all day. "In the third set I think I was feeling the ball a lot better, had a bit more rhythm in my service games, but I couldn't take the tie-break in the end." Harris praised the "great support from the crowd" as well as the messages from friends and family on the Isle of Man. "Big thanks to them and I was just gutted that I couldn't take it further," he said. Looking ahead to his doubles match on Thursday against Kazakhstan's Alexander Bublik and Flavio Cobolli of Italy, Harris said playing alongside fellow British player Marcus Willis was something he was relishing. Advertisement "Marcus is a great doubles player and if we put a great performance together we can win some matches." Harris was defeated in straight sets in his second round match on Wednesday [PA Media] Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X. Related internet links
BBC News
03-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Harris puts defeat aside to focus on doubles
Tennis player Billy Harris said although he was "gutted" to be out of the Wimbledon singles competition, he is looking forward to getting back on court in the doubles on was disappointment for the 30-year-old on Wednesday when he lost 6-3 6-4 7-6 (9-7) in the second round to Portugal's Nuno said although it was a "frustrating" defeat, his opponent had been "pretty solid from his serve and from the baseline, so it was a tough match"."But it is what it is and we move on to the doubles now," he said. Reaching the second round at the All England Lawn Tennis Championships marked the player's best run at the event, after losing in the first round on his debut in on Wednesday's match, Harris said: "I had my chances and I think I missed one passing shot on set-point by an inch."I had a couple more set-points, so you've got to take those kind of chances in these matches, but that's tennis, it's always like that."He's a very solid player from the back of he court, so if you're not doing enough with the ball he's going to move you around all day."In the third set I think I was feeling the ball a lot better, had a bit more rhythm in my service games, but I couldn't take the tie-break in the end."Harris praised the "great support from the crowd" as well as the messages from friends and family on the Isle of Man."Big thanks to them and I was just gutted that I couldn't take it further," he ahead to his doubles match on Thursday against Kazakhstan's Alexander Bublik and Flavio Cobolli of Italy, Harris said playing alongside fellow British player Marcus Willis was something he was relishing."Marcus is a great doubles player and if we put a great performance together we can win some matches." Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook, external and X, external.
