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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
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
John Barrett of Great Plains Communications Named Chairman of Nebraska Telecommunications Association Board of Directors
Blair, Nebraska, May 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Great Plains Communications (GPC), the leading Midwestern telecommunications provider, is proud to announce that John Barrett, the Company's Vice President of Government Affairs, has been elected Chairman of the Nebraska Telecommunications Association (NTA) Board of Directors. In this leadership role, Barrett will help guide and shape strategic initiatives aimed at expanding broadband access across Nebraska. 'John has been a thoughtful and effective leader of our government affairs efforts at GPC, working to support the expansion of broadband and the long-term benefits of fiber connectivity,' said Todd Foje, CEO of Great Plains Communications, who served as NTA Chairman from 2013-2015. 'His natural leadership ability, experience and understanding of public policy make him well-suited for this role.' With more than 30 years of experience in government affairs, Barrett plays a critical role at GPC, working closely with elected officials in Nebraska, Indiana and Washington D.C. to advocate for policies and funding programs that expand broadband access including the Nebraska Universal Service Fund (NUSF) and other state and federal broadband initiatives. His efforts help drive the deployment of high-speed fiber infrastructure that supports economic development, education, healthcare and overall quality of life across the Midwest. 'I'm honored to serve as Chairman of the NTA Board of Directors,' said John Barrett, Vice President of Government Affairs at GPC. 'Expanding reliable, high-performance broadband to all areas of Nebraska requires coordinated policy, smart investment and ongoing collaboration. I look forward to working with fellow NTA members to strengthen programs like the Nebraska Universal Service Fund and support infrastructure development that meets the long-term connectivity needs of our state.' 'We are excited to have John Barrett as the new NTA Chairman,' said NTA President Tip O'Neill. 'He is well-known by policymakers in Lincoln, Nebraska and Washington, D.C. and will be an effective spokesperson and leader for the NTA's efforts to provide advanced and sustainable service to our customers.' About Nebraska Telecommunications AssociationThe Nebraska Telecommunications Association represents the local telecommunications industry in Nebraska. Members of the Nebraska Telecommunications Association (NTA) provide quality, affordable, and reliable communications services to all Nebraskans. From urban to rural areas, the services we provide enhance our communities by investing in the critical communications infrastructure that empowers Nebraskans to connect and compete on a global level. NTA members are committed to accelerating the deployment of broadband across Nebraska. About Great Plains Communications Great Plains Communications (GPC) is the leading privately-owned communications and fiber technology provider in the Midwest. The company prides itself on a high performing network and high performing people, delivering world-class technology solutions that connect, inspire and empower customers, communities, employees and partners. With over a century of experience, the company delivers fiber-based services including high-speed internet, Ethernet, GPC Cloud Connect, SD-WAN, video and voice solutions to business and residential customers in over 200 communities in Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky and Nebraska while also meeting the unique needs of regional and national telecommunications carriers, LECs, ISPs, wireless carriers, hyperscalers and other service providers. All services are powered by the company's growing MEF-certified 19,000+ mile fiber network that reaches 13 states, monitored by the company's 24/7/365 Network Operations Center. Learn more at CONTACT: Laura Kocher Great Plains Communications 4024566429 lkocher@ in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
The Independent
08-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Abbey Road reopens legendary Studio One after six month renovation
Abbey Road has reopened its legendary Studio One recording space after a sixth month multi-million pound refurbishment; the first renovation since the studio opened almost a century ago. A site of cinema history, award-winning soundtracks for The Lord of the Rings, Skyfall, Harry Potter, The Shape of Water and Gravity were all recorded at Studio One. Most recently, songs for Greta Gerwig's Barbie and the musical fantasy film Wicked were laid down on its decks. Six to seven out of every 10 Hollywood films are scored at Abbey Road and Studio One has long been favoured by Hollywood composers as the 4,844 square feet room is the world's largest purpose-built recording space and can comfortably hold a 100-piece orchestra and 100- person choir at the same time. Preserving Studio One's signature sound, which can be heard on further scores for much-loved films including Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Return of the Jedi and The Last Emperor, was a key priority when conducting the renovation, says engineer John Barrett. 'One of the main things that made Studio One incredible was the acoustic,' he said. 'What's unique is it's very reverberant, but it's not too much.' Studio One's signature reverb has been maintained at 2.3 seconds by leaving the room's Art Deco walls from the Seventies untouched. Technological upgrades have instead been made in the control room, where an 84 channel console has been installed to capture a more 'immersive' sound from performers. 'I think we're pretty lucky because we've got this amazing history and past but we're always trying to be current – cutting edge,' adds Barrett, who's worked at the studio for almost twenty years. 'You can't underestimate how much emotion music brings to film,' he adds, pointing to one instance where he was scoring Dobby's tragic death with a full orchestra for the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. 'I just remember that sequence coming to life as soon as the orchestra played,' he said. 'Those sort of moments are incredible – 100 musicians in a room – it just takes you somewhere else.' 'It feels incredible to be in the room where you can imagine the music that's bounced off the walls in the past,' adds award-winning composer Steven Price, who first started working at the studio decades ago after landing a job with Labyrinth score composer Trevor Jones in his youth and went on to record his own Oscar-winning scores in the same space. 'I remember there was a huge day working on [Alfonso Cuarón's] Gravity because we wanted the hairs to stand up on the back of everyone's neck,' he said of his greatest moments in Studio One. Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 30-day free trial 'You've had tension for 85 or 90 minutes and then there's this glorious moment where the astronaut's been stuck out in space and starts to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere. We used to say: 'If we get to see that being played by the orchestra, we'll know we've landed. It's come together,'' he said. 'We've survived.' 'The best possible thing is when a director comes in and experiences the buzz of all those human beings playing together,' Price adds. 'The way it combines everything, the sound bounces around, the music becomes emotional rather than this very flat thing. I was working with Edgar Wright on Last Night in Soho and we needed a different tempo – a different mood – so, I got some of the principal players in the control room with me and in 10 minutes suddenly a totally different version of the music was being played.' Of the importance of human artistry in an increasingly digital world, Barrett echoes: 'It's the craft of shaping music. Everyone's so worried about AI but the uniqueness you get from having a room full of musicians is amazing,' he says. 'You need people to make the magic that brings recordings to life.'
