The Body Serve

It's episode 9, and we're looking at:- The perceived weakness of the WTA vs. one player's historic dominance.- Sexist double standards as they apply to dominance and parity.- Simona Halep's continued ascent and the question of rivalry with Serena.- Djokovic's bad behavior and the "boys will be boys" ethos.- Our new game: #NameTheTennisPlayer

In Episode 8, we revisit racism in tennis:- Re-assessing Serena's return to Indian Wells- Why we're just a tad skeptical- What it means to do anti-racist work- Rafa's struggles, Federer's future, and Djokovic's dominance- Why are we so obsessed with choking? Revisiting Jana NovotnaReferences:Louisa ThomasJana NovotnaTumaini Carayol

In Episode 8, we revisit racism in tennis:- Re-assessing Serena's return to Indian Wells- Why we're just a tad skeptical- What it means to do anti-racist work- Rafa's struggles, Federer's future, and Djokovic's dominance- Why are we so obsessed with choking? Revisiting Jana NovotnaReferences:Louisa ThomasJana NovotnaTumaini Carayol

We're back for episode 7:- What makes an effective tennis commentator?- The assorted errors, gaffes, and malapropisms of the ESPN set (or: The McEnroe Effect).- Tennis' complex web of conflicts of interest.- Our takedown of Justin Gimelstob, the Teflon Commentator.- How has Gimelstob managed to keep his job(s)?- Failure of leadership, and the organizational chaos that keeps tennis directionless.

We're back for episode 7:

- What makes an effective tennis commentator?

- The assorted errors, gaffes, and malapropisms of the ESPN set (or: The McEnroe Effect).

- Tennis' complex web of conflicts of interest.

- Justin Gimelstob, the Teflon Commentator.

- How has Gimelstob managed to keep his job(s)?

- Failure of leadership, and the organizational chaos that keeps tennis directionless.

Late-Winter Blues:- Requiem for a fruitful tennis partnership: Serena & Big Sascha part ways- Caroline tried it, but Vika prevails yet again- The fortunes of the Big 4 heading into the Fifth Slam(s)- James' brush with fame: a tweet from his Queen- Checking in with Venus, Hingis, Daveed, and Juan Martin- James confesses his disgust at the current crop of ____ players.

Late-Winter Blues:- Requiem for a fruitful tennis partnership: Serena & Big Sascha part ways- Caroline tried it, but Vika prevails yet again- The fortunes of the Big 4 heading into the Fifth Slam(s)- James' brush with fame: a tweet from his Queen- Checking in with Venus, Hingis, Daveed, and Juan Martin- James confesses his disgust at the current crop of ____ players.

In this episode, we discuss Serena Williams' decision to return to Indian Wells:- The 2001 IW final and the Williams' ensuing boycott- How race and racism have shaped the Williams' careers- Serena's legacy and her evolving politics- Does the U.S. celebrate its black athletes like it does white athletes? Are there strings attached? - How do blackness, patriotism, and racial politics intersect?

In this episode, we discuss Serena Williams' decision to return to Indian Wells:- The 2001 IW final and the Williams' ensuing boycott- How race and racism have shaped the Williams' careers- Serena's legacy and her evolving politics- Does the U.S. celebrate its black athletes like it does white athletes? Are there strings attached? - How do blackness, patriotism, and racial politics intersect?

In this episode, we discuss Serena Williams' decision to return to Indian Wells:

- The 2001 IW final and the Williams' ensuing boycott

- How race and racism have shaped the Williams' careers

- Serena's legacy and her evolving politics

- Does the U.S. celebrate its black athletes like it does white athletes? Are there strings attached? 

- How do blackness, patriotism, and racial politics intersect?