TennisWorthy

75 years ago this week, Althea Gibson broke the color barrier at the U.S. National Lawn Tennis Championships, becoming the first Black player permitted to compete. Her boldness set the stage for continued change, opening the door for Arthur Ashe's groundbreaking Wimbledon title and her own three major titles in the years to come.

We revisit several seminal moments in tennis history in this episode of the TennisWorthy podcast, original published in Feburary. Chris Bowers outlines these change-making moments and the forces behind them, and shares more about the mentor who supported Althea and Arthur along the way - Hall of Famer Dr. Robert Johnson.

The International Tennis Hall of Fame thanks the Arthur Ashe Legacy at UCLA and Oral History Director Yolanda Hester for contributions to this episode:

Mark Mathabane, interviewed by Yolanda Hester, Sept 4, 2020, for the Arthur Ashe Oral History Project an initiative of Arthur Ashe Legacy at UCLA. The oral history is from the Center for Oral History Research, University of California.

Donald Dell, interviewed by Yolanda Hester, Feb 10, 2020, for the Arthur Ashe Oral History Project an initiative of Arthur Ashe Legacy at UCLA. The oral history is from the Center for Oral History Research, University of California.

Owen Williams, interviewed by Yolanda Hester, March 5, 2021, for the Arthur Ashe Oral History Project an initiative of Arthur Ashe Legacy at UCLA. The oral history is from the Center for Oral History Research, University of California.

The TennisWorthy Podcast is presented by the International Tennis Hall of Fame. For more information and full episode transcriptions, visit tennisfame.com/podcast.

Patrick McEnroe and the TennisWorthy Podcast hosted Hall of Famer Chris Evert live in the Fame Fest village at the Induction Celebration: a weekend full of festivities celebrating the Hall of Fame induction of Maria Sharapova and Bob & Mike Bryan.

The legendary player turned broadcaster chatted with her friend and colleague McEnroe on a wide range of topics, including the Chris Evert Learning Center at the Hall of Fame, where the TeamFAME youth program is housed. TeamFAME is an after-school program that provides a safe haven for underserved youth and helps them with academics and tennis. She shares how her father used tennis as a way to "keep kids off the streets" and how that influenced her passion for giving back to the community.

Evert also shares her thoughts on fellow Hall of Famers Bob and Mike Bryan and Maria Sharapova. The tennis legend also reflects on her career, including the pivotal 1985 French Open match against Martina Navratilova, which taught her the importance of changing strategy and taking risks.

Follow along with the Induction Celebration at tennisfame.com/induction. Full episode transcripts are available at tennisfame.com/podcast.

Three days before they're officially inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame, Bob and Mike Bryan detail their incredible career as arguably the greatest men's doubles team of all time.

Chris Bowers and the twins share stories from their upbringing, which was immersed in tennis due to their parents, Wayne and Kathy Bryan. From a young age, they were taught the value of sportsmanship and gratitude. They also reveal how their parents' philosophy of prioritizing doubles and avoiding competition between them helped their partnership flourish.

The episode highlights the brothers' career milestones, including their first major title at the 2003 French Open, their Davis Cup victory in 2007, winning the gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics, and reaching 100 tour-level titles in 2014. The Bryan Brothers also discuss the challenges they faced, from handling losses to physical altercations and a hip injury that sidelined Bob. They reflect on their legacy, hoping to be remembered for their infectious love for the game and for helping popularize doubles.

Follow along with all that's in store during the weekend's Induction Celebration at tennisfame.com/induction. Full episode transcripts are available at tennisfame.com/podcast.

It's induction week at the International Tennis Hall of Fame, and the TennisWorthy Podcast is celebrating the Class of 2025, Maria Sharapova and Bob & Mike Bryan. This week, we highlight their careers and accomplishments before they receive tennis' ultimate honor on August 23.

In this episode, Patrick McEnroe and Chris Bowers chart Maria's career, from her childhood in Russia to becoming a tennis legend. Sharapova and discusses her beginnings, including how her parents shaped her as both a player and a person, and how she developed her fierce competitive spirit from a young age.

She reflects on the mental and physical aspects of her journey to winning all five major titles, including how she overcame the challenge of playing on clay courts. The podcast also touches on her life after retirement, highlighting her focus on family and the challenges of balancing her new responsibilities with her career.

Follow along with all that's in store during the weekend's Induction Celebration at tennisfame.com/induction. Full episode transcripts are available at tennisfame.com/podcast.

Follow along with the 2025 Induction Celebration, August 21 -23, at tennisfame.com/induction. Full episode transcripts are available at tennisfame.com/podcast.

Take a trip back to the "most exciting decade in tennis" - the 1970s - with former player and current commentator John Lloyd. In this episode of the TennisWorthy podcast, Chris Bowers sits down with Lloyd, a major single, an Australian Open singles finalist, to discuss what separates a "good" player from a "great" one.

Lloyd shares his unique perspective as both a participant in the sport's open era and a ringside spectator, being married to one of the all-time greats, Chris Evert. He reveals the mindset of a true champion, the desire to win, and the lessons learned from his own career. Hear candid stories about his family's immersion in tennis and his biggest career regret. It's a fascinating conversation about what it truly takes to make it to the top, and lessons worth sharing.

John Lloyd is a former British No. 1 player, 1977 Australian Open finalist and three-time major champion in mixed doubles. He captained the British Davis Cup team from 2006 to 2010, and commentates for BBC. He is the author of the best selling autobiography "Dear John".

Andre Agassi made bravery a key part of his game, learning to use his elite ball-striking abilities to make gutsy shots and keep his opponents on their toes. Andre details what bravery means to him, and how tennis can test character more than any other sport.

This episode is part of the International Tennis Hall of Fame's TennisWorthy short-form series. View more TennisWorthy stories at tennisfame.com/tennisworthy

In the aftermath of the 50th anniversary of Arthur Ashe's groundbreaking Wimbledon title, Charlie Pasarell remembers the champion. Before they were at the top of the game, they were friends and teammates. Charlie reflects on Arthur's impact beyond tennis.

This episode is part of the International Tennis Hall of Fame's TennisWorthy short-form series. View more TennisWorthy stories at tennisfame.com/tennisworthy

In this insightful episode of the TennisWorthy Podcast, Chris Bowers interviews Class of 2024 Hall of Famer and 18-time major champion Leander Paes. Beyond his remarkable career as one of tennis's greatest doubles players, Paes shares profound life lessons that transcend the sport.

Discover how a childhood dream of owning an ice cream factory led him to Wimbledon success. Paes also recounts growing up playing barefoot street sports in Calcutta, learning empathy, and the pivotal role his parents played in nurturing his dreams through unconditional love and unconventional methods, like using video games to hone his hand-eye coordination. Hear his captivating journey, including a mugging in New York and his preparation for the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, and understand how he embodies the idea that being a good human is more important than accolades.

The TennisWorthy Podcast is presented by the International Tennis Hall of Fame. For more information and full episode transcriptions, visit tennisfame.com/podcast.

In 1991, Michael Stich was a relative unknown, seeded sixth at Wimbledon where he powered through to meet three-time champion Boris Becker. The match was the first all-German major final in the Open Era.

This episode is part of the International Tennis Hall of Fame's TennisWorthy short-form series. View more TennisWorthy stories at tennisfame.com/tennisworthy

In a special roundtable edition, Chris Bowers, Blair Henley, and Joel Drucker relive the magic that was 2025 Roland-Garros. The panel dissects the "match for the ages" between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, highlighting its clash of styles and inherent drama.

The trio discuss what Joel views as three key elements for a "magical" match: a high-stakes occasion, two top contenders, and incredible drama and quality tennis. The match fit the bill: a clash of styles, personalities and history on the line kept fans riveted.

The discussion also touches upon Coco Gauff's significant win in the women's final, with Blair and Joel praising her mental fortitude and "elite level digging" in challenging conditions. The episode explores the legacy of these matches, the evolving dynamics of the men's and women's tours, and comparing tennis to exquisite cuisine. It all adds up to optimism and excitement for the future of tennis, thanks to these new rivalries.

The TennisWorthy Podcast is presented by the International Tennis Hall of Fame. For more information and full episode transcriptions, visit tennisfame.com/podcast