# Chapter 7: Geography & Culture

Tennis · Chapter 7: Geography & Culture · Insporta Book (https://book.insporta.app/tennis/interesting-facts/chapter-7-geography-culture/)

Tennis in fashion, film and custom: dresses that caused a stir, a shoe with two names, Hitchcock and Hollywood, a painting of a lawn party, the Royal Box, strawberries and The Queue.

## 7.71 Fashion on Court

Lenglen's dress, the lace of 1949, a bodysuit, a shoe with two names and Wimbledon's newest dress-code exception.

### Test 1: What players wore

- Tinling had been the club's player liaison; after the outfit he was not asked back for 33 years. (Source: International Tennis Hall of Fame, Ted Tinling (tennisfame.com))
- Free of the corset, she could run and leap in a way the long, stiff dresses of the day did not allow. (Source: Britannica, 'Suzanne Lenglen'; Sports Illustrated, 'Suzanne Lenglen, tennis's first diva')
- Patou designed her pleated skirts and sleeveless cardigans, and sold the look to women off court. (Source: Britannica, 'Suzanne Lenglen'; Sports Illustrated, 'Suzanne Lenglen, tennis's first diva')
- She wore the white Lycra bodysuit in a first-round match against Pam Shriver. (Source: The Washington Post, 'White's outfit is a big hit at Wimbledon' (1985); ESPN)
- Referee Alan Mills asked her to wear something more conventional; she lost the match the next day. (Source: The Washington Post, 'White's outfit is a big hit at Wimbledon' (1985); ESPN)
- The shoe took its current name in 1978, after the American champion whose face had been on the tongue for years. (Source: StockX, 'Stan Smith: a brief history'; Hypebeast, 'Who is Stan Smith?' (2022))
- The change came after players spoke of the stress of playing in all white during their periods. (Source: NPR, 'Wimbledon will allow women to wear colored undershorts' (2022); Forbes (2023))
- 1919, 1949, 1985 and 2023. (Source: Britannica; Hall of Fame; The Washington Post; NPR)
- For a few years both men were on the shoe: Haillet's name on the side, Smith's face on the tongue. (Source: StockX, 'Stan Smith: a brief history'; Hypebeast, 'Who is Stan Smith?' (2022))
- Photographers lay on the ground to catch the lace, and the press called her 'Gorgeous Gussie'. (Source: International Tennis Hall of Fame, Ted Tinling (tennisfame.com))

## 7.72 Screen and Canvas

Tennis in Hitchcock and in recent films, and a famous Victorian painting of a game among friends.

### Test 1: Films and a painting

- In Patricia Highsmith's novel Guy was an architect; the film made him a tennis star. (Source: TCM, 'Behind the camera: Strangers on a Train'; RogerEbert.com, 'Strangers on a Train' (1951))
- Every head turns from side to side with the rally except Bruno's, which stares at Guy. (Source: TCM, 'Behind the camera: Strangers on a Train'; RogerEbert.com, 'Strangers on a Train' (1951))
- A coach, Jack Cunningham, taught Farley Granger the strokes and played his opponent in the close shots. (Source: TCM, 'Behind the camera: Strangers on a Train'; RogerEbert.com, 'Strangers on a Train' (1951))
- It was his first Oscar; the film was also nominated for Best Picture. (Source: CBS Sports and Deadline, 'Will Smith wins best actor Oscar for King Richard' (2022))
- Emma Stone played Billie Jean King; the film was directed by Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris. (Source: WTOP News (AP review), 'Emma Stone, Steve Carell hold serve in Battle of the Sexes' (2017))
- Sverrir Gudnason played Borg and Stellan Skarsgard his coach, Lennart Bergelin. (Source: Tennis.com, 'Tennis on film: Borg vs. McEnroe (2017)'; The Skinny)
- An injury ended Tashi's playing career; the film follows her, her husband and his old best friend. (Source: Variety, 'Challengers review' (2024); Britannica, 'Challengers')
- 1951, 2004, 2021 and 2024. (Source: TCM; RogerEbert.com; CBS Sports; Variety)
- 1973, 1980 and 1994: the King Richard story ends with Venus turning professional. (Source: Britannica; Tennis.com; CBS Sports)
- The Tennis Party is in Aberdeen Art Gallery; it won a medal at the Paris Salon and made Lavery's name. (Source: Art UK, 'The Tennis Party' by John Lavery, Aberdeen Art Gallery; The Victorian Web)

## 7.73 Wimbledon Traditions

The bow to the Royal Box, strawberries picked at dawn, an 86-year drinks partner and The Queue.

### Test 1: Customs of the Championships

- Before 2003 players bowed whenever a member of the Royal Family sat in the box. (Source: Deseret News (AP), 'Wimbledon drops bowing to Royal Box' (2003); Wimbledon)
- The rule now covers only the two most senior royals. (Source: Deseret News (AP), 'Wimbledon drops bowing to Royal Box' (2003); Wimbledon)
- Hugh Lowe Farms at Mereworth plants about 100,000 new plants each spring for the tournament. (Source: Forbes, 'The details and history of Wimbledon's strawberries and cream' (2025); The Globe and Mail (2025))
- Pickers start at dawn; the berries reach the club by about 9 a.m. to be checked and hulled. (Source: Forbes, 'The details and history of Wimbledon's strawberries and cream' (2025); The Globe and Mail (2025))
- The 86-year deal was one of the longest in sport, second at Wimbledon only to Slazenger's. (Source: Insider Sport and Sportcal, 'Robinsons ends Wimbledon partnership after 86 years' (2022))
- The card is not a ticket: it shows your place in line and is needed to buy one. (Source: Yahoo Sports, 'The Queue at Wimbledon 2026: ultimate guide'; Londonist)
- Stewards check the cards; fans who camp overnight are woken at 6 a.m. to pack away their tents. (Source: Yahoo Sports, 'The Queue at Wimbledon 2026: ultimate guide'; Londonist)
- 1935, 2003 and 2022. (Source: Insider Sport; Deseret News (AP); Sportcal)
- Each berry goes from the plant to a bowl in a few hours. (Source: Forbes, 'The details and history of Wimbledon's strawberries and cream' (2025); The Globe and Mail (2025))
- That took over 55 tons of berries, about 2.5 million strawberries. (Source: Forbes, 'The details and history of Wimbledon's strawberries and cream' (2025); The Globe and Mail (2025))

## 7.74 Tennis in Books

A novel set at a tennis academy, an essay on Federer, Agassi's frank memoir and a book about one match.

### Test 1: Tennis on the page

- Wallace was a strong junior player in Illinois. (Source: Britannica (britannica.com), 'Infinite Jest')
- It is built around the 2006 Wimbledon final. (Source: The New York Times, 'Roger Federer as Religious Experience' (2006))
- It became one of the best-selling sports books of its time. (Source: ATP Tour (atptour.com), Andre Agassi; Britannica (britannica.com))
- He wrote that his father had pushed him into the game as a small boy. (Source: ATP Tour (atptour.com), Andre Agassi; Britannica (britannica.com))
- The Pulitzer-winning journalist later helped Prince Harry write Spare. (Source: Britannica (britannica.com), 'Open')
- It follows their 1968 US Open semi-final shot by shot. (Source: Britannica (britannica.com), John McPhee)
- He wrote it with Arnold Rampersad. (Source: International Tennis Hall of Fame (tennisfame.com), Arthur Ashe)
- 1969, 1993, 1996 and 2009. (Source: Britannica (britannica.com))
- 1931, 1943, 1962 and 1964. (Source: Britannica (britannica.com))
- Its long notes at the back include tennis drills and a game played on a map. (Source: Britannica (britannica.com), 'Infinite Jest')

## 7.75 Tennis Around the World

Champions who were firsts for their countries: Mexico, Ecuador, Chile, Brazil, Kazakhstan, Tunisia and Cameroon.

### Test 1: Firsts for nations

- He beat Andre Agassi in the final at the age of 30. (Source: Roland-Garros official site; International Tennis Hall of Fame (tennisfame.com))
- They were Chile's first Olympic golds; Fernando Gonzalez was his doubles partner. (Source: Olympedia; Chilean Olympic Committee)
- He was the first Mexican to win a major singles title. (Source: International Tennis Hall of Fame (tennisfame.com), Rafael Osuna)
- Born in Moscow, she had switched to Kazakhstan in 2018. (Source: WTA (wtatennis.com), Elena Rybakina)
- She reached the Wimbledon and US Open finals that year. (Source: WTA (wtatennis.com), Ons Jabeur)
- Ashe helped him go to train in France; Noah won the French Open in 1983. (Source: International Tennis Hall of Fame (tennisfame.com), Yannick Noah)
- Fans in Paris called him by his nickname, Guga. (Source: Roland-Garros official site; ATP Tour (atptour.com))
- 1963, 1990, 2004 and 2022. (Source: International Tennis Hall of Fame (tennisfame.com); Olympedia; WTA (wtatennis.com))
- From the Americas across the Atlantic to North Africa and Central Asia. (Source: Atlas)
- He drew it with his racket and lay down in it; he went on to win the title. (Source: Roland-Garros official site (rolandgarros.com))

## 7.76 Tennis and Politics

A boycotted final, a visit to apartheid South Africa, a defection in New York and a ban at Wimbledon.

### Test 1: When tennis met politics

- South Africa took the cup without a match being played. (Source: Davis Cup official site (daviscup.com))
- He had been refused a visa several times before. (Source: International Tennis Hall of Fame (tennisfame.com), Arthur Ashe)
- She left Czechoslovakia at 18 and became a US citizen in 1981. (Source: International Tennis Hall of Fame (tennisfame.com); WTA (wtatennis.com), Martina Navratilova)
- Roosevelt played often on the court he had built at the White House. (Source: White House Historical Association (whitehousehistory.org))
- She was honoured for her work for women's sport and equal rights. (Source: International Tennis Hall of Fame (tennisfame.com), Billie Jean King)
- The ban followed the invasion of Ukraine; it was lifted for 2023. (Source: Wimbledon.com)
- The event went ahead as usual, but without points for the rankings. (Source: ATP Tour (atptour.com); WTA (wtatennis.com))
- 1973, 1974, 1975 and 2022. (Source: International Tennis Hall of Fame (tennisfame.com); daviscup.com; Wimbledon.com)
- 2006, 2009 and 2020. (Source: International Tennis Hall of Fame (tennisfame.com); usopen.org; ITF)
- It was built on the South Lawn during his first term. (Source: White House Historical Association (whitehousehistory.org))

## 7.77 Screen Stories

Tennis on screen beyond the biopics: Match Point, the Tenenbaums, a week-long mockumentary, The Simpsons and Netflix.

### Test 1: Films and series

- His character becomes a coach at a smart London club. (Source: TCM; RogerEbert.com, 'Match Point')
- Its title is the point that can win a match. (Source: RogerEbert.com, 'Match Point')
- His breakdown on court is one of the film's best-known scenes. (Source: RogerEbert.com, 'The Royal Tenenbaums')
- It spoofs a Wimbledon match that lasts a week. (Source: HBO; Variety (2015))
- It followed players through a season on the tours. (Source: Netflix; Variety (2023))
- Homer builds a tennis court in the back garden. (Source: Fox; The Simpsons episode guide)
- She plays a rising American star who falls for a fading British player. (Source: Variety, 'Wimbledon' (2004))
- 2001, 2005, 2015 and 2023. (Source: Film and TV listings)
- About 22 minutes, 43 minutes, two hours and a whole series. (Source: Film and TV listings)
- The voice-over wonders which side the ball will fall on. (Source: RogerEbert.com, 'Match Point')

## 7.78 Tennis in Art and Design

A poster on every student's wall, the club colours of Wimbledon, artists' posters in Paris and the crocodile badge.

### Test 1: Tennis and design

- It sold in the millions and hung on student walls for decades. (Source: Victoria and Albert Museum; BBC News)
- The photographer was Martin Elliott; the dress was made by the model's friend. (Source: BBC News; Victoria and Albert Museum)
- The earlier colours were blue, yellow, red and green. (Source: Wimbledon.com, 'The club colours')
- Artists have included Joan Miro and Valerio Adami. (Source: Roland-Garros official site, 'The posters')
- She also runs an interior design firm. (Source: WTA (wtatennis.com), Venus Williams)
- She later launched her own clothing line. (Source: WTA (wtatennis.com), Serena Williams)
- Rene Lacoste founded the company after his playing career ended. (Source: Lacoste, history (lacoste.com))
- 1909, 1933, 1976, 1980 and 2007. (Source: Wimbledon.com; Lacoste; V&A; rolandgarros.com; WTA (wtatennis.com))
- Each year's poster becomes a collector's piece. (Source: Roland-Garros official site, 'The posters')
- George drew the crocodile that Lacoste had embroidered on his blazer. (Source: Lacoste, history (lacoste.com))

## 7.79 Words from Around the Court

Deuce in French, German and Spanish, where the word came from, and slang from the SABR to the tweener.

### Test 1: The language of tennis

- French umpires say 'egalite' when the players are level at forty-all. (Source: French Tennis Federation (fft.fr))
- An advantage is 'Vorteil'. (Source: German Tennis Federation (dtb-tennis.de))
- It means 'equals'; an advantage is 'ventaja'. (Source: Royal Spanish Tennis Federation (rfet.es))
- Italian umpires announce 'parita' at forty-all; an advantage is 'vantaggio'. (Source: Italian Tennis and Padel Federation (fitp.it))
- SABR stood for 'Sneak Attack By Roger'. (Source: ATP Tour (atptour.com), Roger Federer)
- Moonballs push the opponent back and slow the rally down. (Source: ITF, coaching glossary (itftennis.com))
- Tanking a match can bring fines and investigations. (Source: ATP Tour (atptour.com), rules on best effort)
- The moonball loops high and lands deep. (Source: ITF, coaching glossary (itftennis.com))
- It caught servers off guard at the 2015 US Open. (Source: ATP Tour (atptour.com), Roger Federer)
- It is used to chase down a lob that has passed overhead. (Source: ITF, coaching glossary (itftennis.com))

## 7.80 Going to Wimbledon

The station, the line, the park where fans queue, debentures, the ballot and the houses players rent.

### Test 1: A visit to the Championships

- Seats on the outside courts are unreserved; the show courts need their own tickets. (Source: Wimbledon.com, 'Tickets')
- Trains run every few minutes during the Championships. (Source: Transport for London (tfl.gov.uk))
- The Queue forms in the park across the road from the club. (Source: Wimbledon.com, 'The Queue')
- Debentures help pay for building work at the club. (Source: Wimbledon.com, 'Debentures')
- Fans apply months ahead and seats are drawn at random. (Source: Wimbledon.com, 'Tickets')
- Returned seats are sold cheaply to fans already in the grounds. (Source: Wimbledon.com, 'Ticket resale')
- Local families let their homes for the fortnight. (Source: Wimbledon.com; BBC News)
- Years ahead, months ahead and the same morning. (Source: Wimbledon.com, 'Tickets')
- Debentures can be traded between holders. (Source: Wimbledon.com, 'Debentures')
- The other marked station, Wimbledon, is further away, beyond the town. (Source: Transport for London (tfl.gov.uk))

Sources: Primary/official sources only, no Wikipedia citations: the International Tennis Hall of Fame, Britannica, The Washington Post, NPR, Forbes, TCM, RogerEbert.com, CBS Sports, Variety, Art UK, AP, Insider Sport, Yahoo Sports. The all-white rule's date and the Battle of the Sexes match itself are asked in Knowledge Testing and left out on purpose.

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