The Tennis Court

Every one of the world's half a million tennis courts is, at its most basic, an identical blank canvas: a 78-foot by 36-foot rectangle, divided by a 3-foot-high net in its centre, and marked with eleven straight lines. But add in the elements of surface, space, wind, acoustics, crowds, shadows, humidity, and even air density, and every tennis court is unique-a work of art. And some are masterpieces.Nick Pachelli curates and profiles 200 of the world's most beautiful, iconic, significant, alluring, and idiosyncratic tennis courts from across the globe, each breathtakingly photographed. He explores the heavyweights, including Wimbledon's All England Lawn Tennis Club, which employs a hawk to keep stray birds from soiling the meticulous lawns. Arthur Ashe, the Grandstand, and Court 17 in Flushing, Queens, where hundreds of thousands of tennis fans gather every summer for the US Open. And there's Court Philippe-Chatrier at Roland-Garros, whose clay seems to take on a different shade-burnt orange, burnt red, burgundy, umber-every time you see it.We visit far-flung treasures, such as Waiheke Tennis Club in New Zealand, where you'll need to take a plane, then a ferry, then a car or bus, and then walk before arriving there. Indoor marvels, including the Tennis Club de Belgique, which evokes the hushed, reverent feeling of a theater, with skylights illuminating the court and leaving the spectators in the shadows. Hidden jewels, such as the tiny Tennis Club San Stin in Venice, a secret, single outdoor clay court tucked away behind a villa and a 15-foot wall shrouded with vines.There are urban courts, including the Knickerbocker Field Club, deep in the heart of Flatbush, Brooklyn. Academies, like Rafael Nadal's tennis temple in Mallorca, Spain. And the extreme: a single court completely isolated in the wilds of Scotland; a court in northern Spain revealed when the tide goes out, the sand hardens, and the metallic plates that serve as lines re-emerge; and a court in Kenya made out of termite mounds.Throughout, Pachelli not only conducts a masterful, once-in-a-lifetime tour of the world's best courts, but in his writing does something equally immersive: He captures the real passion-some might say obsession-that tennis inspires. Because it's on the court, no matter how grandiose or mundane, whether in an exotic locale or around the corner, where tennis players truly see themselves. Where we come face-to-face with our temperament, our drive, our frustration, our bliss, our longing....

Vorwort
A fresh approach to a beloved sport, The Tennis Court is a photographic journey of the 200 most breathtaking tennis courts around the world.

Autorentext

Nick Pachelli, an award-winning journalist, photographer, and producer, was raised on hot, cracked tennis courts in New Mexico. He played the junior circuit and was among the top-ranked singles and doubles players in the Southwest before stopping short of a college tennis career. He eventually returned to tennis competition and plays adult tournaments and leagues domestically and abroad. His work has appeared in the New York Times, Esquire, Vogue, the Guardian, and ESPN, among other outlets. Find him on Instagram at @nickpachells.

Klappentext

"There are tennis courts everywhere in the world, and Nick Pachelli has curated two hundred of the most beautiful and significant ones out there, from Arthur Ashe and Wimbledon to the stunning dusty red clay courts of the Tennis Club Argentino in Buenos Aires to the Il San Pietro, tucked into the magical cliffs of Positano, Italy. The Tennis Court is a stunning visual salute to the tennis court as not only a sporting destination, but a cultural gathering ground shared around the world. Through breathtaking photography and brief descriptions of each court, the book will take readers through the history, architecture, and the experience of being at each of the courts, for example, surface materials and what it's like to play on the crisp grass courts of the All England Club or watching the masters on red clay in Monte Carlo. Or how it feels to watch a match at the Roy Emerson Arena in Gstaad, nestled at the base of the Swiss Alps, or the Il San Pietro Positano, tucked into the rocky coastline of Southern Italy, both courts set against stunning vistas and dramatic backgrounds. The Tennis Court will appeal to students of the game, avid travelers, design enthusiasts, aspiring adventurers, and players, alike, whether stored on a shelf, in an overhead bin, or tucked inside a racquet bag"--

Zusammenfassung
*A fresh approach to a beloved sport, *The Tennis Court is a photographic journey of the 200 most breathtaking tennis courts around the world.

“Nick Pachelli takes us on court in every corner of the world with a sharp eye for what makes our game and the people who champion it so special.”
—Billie Jean King, sports icon and equality advocate

Every one of the world’s half a million tennis courts is, at its most basic, an identical blank canvas: a 78-foot by 36-foot rectangle, divided by a 3-foot-high net in its center, and marked with eleven straight lines. But add in the elements of surface, space, wind, acoustics, crowds, shadows, humidity, and even air density, and every tennis court is unique—a work of art. And some are masterpieces.
 
Nick Pachelli curates and profiles 200 of the world’s most beautiful, iconic, significant, alluring, and idiosyncratic tennis courts from across the globe, each breathtakingly photographed. He explores the heavyweights, including Wimbledon’s All England Lawn Tennis Club, which employs a hawk to keep stray birds from soiling the meticulous lawns. Arthur Ashe, the Grandstand, and Court 17 in Flushing, Queens, where hundreds of thousands of tennis fans gather every summer for the US Open. And there’s Court Philippe-Chatrier at Roland-Garros, whose clay seems to take on a different shade—burnt orange, burnt red, burgundy, umber—every time you see it.
 
We visit far-flung treasures, such as Waiheke Tennis Club in New Zealand, where you’ll need to take a plane, then a ferry, then a car or bus, and then walk before arriving there. Indoor marvels, including the Tennis Club de Belgique, which evokes the hushed, reverent feeling of a theater, with skylights illuminating the court and leaving the spectators in the shadows. Hidden jewels, such as the tiny Tennis Club San Stin in Venice, a secret, single outdoor clay court tucked away behind a villa and a 15-foot wall shrouded with vines.
 
There are urban courts, including the Knickerbocker Field Club, deep in the heart of Flatbush, Brooklyn. Academies, like Rafael Nadal’s tennis temple in Mallorca, Spain. And the extreme: a single court completely isolated in the wilds of Scotland; a court in northern Spain revealed when the tide goes out, the sand hardens, and the metallic plates that serve as lines reemerge; and a court in Kenya made out of termite mounds.
 
Throughout, Pachelli not only conducts a masterful, once-in-a-lifetime tour of the world’s best courts, but in his writing does something equally immersive: He captures the real passion—some might say obsession—that tennis inspires. Because it’s on the court, no matter how grandiose or mundane, whether in an exotic locale or around the corner, where tennis players truly see themselves. Where we come face-to-face with our temperament, our drive, our frustration, our bliss, our longing.

Inhalt
Courts include: 

Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne, Australia
Kia Stadium, Melbourne, Australia
Memorial Drive Tennis Club, Adelaide, Australia
Dubai Tennis Center, Dubai, UAE
Royal Tennis Club de Marrakech, Marrakech, Morrocco
Qizhong Stadium, Shanghai, China
Ariake Coliseum, Tokyo, Japan …