Couverture / Jaquette

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. A People's History of Tennis is populated by diverse voices, recounting the sport's gay origins, 'Workers' Wimbledon', battles for gender equality and more.Going beyond centre court, this book reveals the hidden history of the game, providing a rich account of the challenges faced and victories won.

Note biographique

David Berry is a writer, journalist and filmmaker. He has written about health and leisure for a variety of publications, and for twenty-five years he was a documentary director for the BBC. He has been playing tennis since he was eleven years old.

Table des matières

Introduction
1. Mavericks
2. Feminists
3. Members
4. Stars
5. Players
6. Socialists
7. Entrepreneurs
8. Performers
9. Enthusiasts
10. Immigrants
11. Outsiders
12. Trailblazers
13. Professionals
14. Amateurs
Conclusion
Timeline of (Lawn) Tennis
Notes
Bibliography
Acknowledgements
Index

Détails