Tennis Players as Works of Art
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Tennis Players as Works of Art features original artworks, innovative writing, creative collaborations, and new perspectives on all things tennis.
Tennis Players as Works of Art
1w ago
Note on “Tennis Trails” (from Apeksha’s website): My collection of 6 AI-generated images of tennis courts explores the unique landscapes and environments in which this sport can be played. From lush greens to rugged deserts, these digitally created scenes push the boundaries of what we traditionally associate with a tennis court. Trail 1: In the ..read more
Tennis Players as Works of Art
3w ago
Coco’s Backhand, her money shot. Bessie Smith’s voice. When you heard that voice, as they said of Armstrong’s trumpet, “you put your money down.” Coco flying to her first grand slam title at the US Open in NYC where people on subways see Ringgold’s heroes and heroines– performers, painters, athletes, activists, writers—all “Flying Home” to ..read more
Tennis Players as Works of Art
1M ago
Note on Kaffir Boy: “Kaffir” is now classified as hate speech. The K-word in South Africa is roughly equivalent to the N-word in America. Kaffir Boy, which won a Christopher Award for inspiring hope, has been one of the most popular books in America’s public schools since its publication in 1987, despite nationwide efforts to ban it as “pornography.” Teachers use ..read more
Tennis Players as Works of Art
1M ago
Listened to the new Ash Barty biography while driving eight hours to Austin. She hated traveling to tournaments. That’s why she quit tennis as a top junior prospect. That’s why she quit the second time when she was just 25 and the #1 player in the world. Only one in a million would do that ..read more
Tennis Players as Works of Art
2M ago
I cry when I see that picture of me as a little girl. Helpless and alone after the surgery, she must lie on her stomach for a week. No one told mom or dad she might need a wheelchair. Alone in the bathroom after another gold medal, I must produce for the mandatory doping test ..read more
Tennis Players as Works of Art
2M ago
First few days of February. The weather cold and windy, colder in Phoenix, Arizona than in all of Arkansas. I wasn’t happy about and I didn’t dress for it. Few did. Fans and teammates shivered (and cursed) through the first two days and nights of watching the highest national level of senior tennis in the 65 ..read more
Tennis Players as Works of Art
2M ago
Sport as religion, community ritual. Turin, Italy, 2023. Medvedev so fast he’s a blur, a blue-green flame in the dark. We are not honed machines like Medvedev is, his ungodly speed at 6’6” under complete control. His nickname’s the octopus. He covers the court like he has eight arms, eight legs. His blue-green sleek shirt ..read more
Tennis Players as Works of Art
3M ago
My philosophy of parenting is not unlike Ostapenko’s game. Try for too much. Fail often in hopes of greater success. Read philosophy, poetry to the baby in the womb. Always talk over their head. “A man’s reach must exceed his grasp, or what’s a heaven for?”* One of the worst ways to play tennis is ..read more
Tennis Players as Works of Art
3M ago
4,500 rpm on the forehand. Borg’s topspin revolution doubled, squared. All that topspin means net clearance, safety, angles. The perfect weapon for clay, its wars of attrition. Not far from the arena of Roland Garros lay the caves of Lascaux. In the womb of their history lay hundreds of familiar, mysterious beasts. Rafa’s afraid of ..read more
Tennis Players as Works of Art
3M ago
Leading 4-1, 40-30 in the final set for the Wimbledon title, Novotna’s second serve sails halfway to the baseline. Double fault. Deuce. Tension. Novotna pokes a sitter forehand volley way over the baseline. Ad-out. Jana’s legs imperceptibly heavier move back on a lob, her shoulder metamorphosing tightening up slowing down as it strikes the ball ..read more