What makes a Hall of Famer? What is that unique something that led to their historic success? Was it innate? Or did they need to cultivate a winning mindset? TennisWorthy, a podcast presented by the International Tennis Hall of Fame, seeks to answer these questions and uncover what it takes to become the greatest of champions. These wide-reaching conversations go beyond on-court results, and reveal the mindset of the sport’s legends. Hear from greats like Lleyton Hewitt, Tracy Austin, Ivan Lendl and more on what it takes to set yourself apart.
What makes a Hall of Famer? What is that unique something that led to their historic success? Was it innate? Or did they need to cultivate a winning mindset? TennisWorthy, a podcast presented by the International Tennis Hall of Fame, seeks to answer these questions and uncover what it takes to become the greatest of champions. These wide-reaching conversations go beyond on-court results, and reveal the mindset of the sport’s legends. Hear from greats like Lleyton Hewitt, Tracy Austin, Ivan Lendl and more on what it takes to set yourself apart.
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
Stan Smith saw it coming. The world saw it coming. But no one knew it would happen that fast. In what felt like an instant, a 17 year old Björn Borg went from a promising young star to a dominating force in the sport. By 1974, the future of tennis had arrived.
This episode is part of the International Tennis Hall of Fame's TennisWorthy short-form series. View more TennisWorthy stories at tennisfame.com/tennisworthy.
Hall of Famer Justine Henin knew from a young age that her dream was to become a champion, in particular at Roland-Garros. She went on to win the tournament four times as part of a decorated career, making sacrifices and staying true to her dream all the while.
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 25th anniversary year of her milestone Roland-Garros singles title, the TennisWorthy Podcast revisits one of its original episodes with Hall of Famer Mary Pierce.
Mary discusses her remarkable career and personal journey with Chris Bowers. Pierce reflects on her early start in tennis, turning pro at 14, and attributes her success to perseverance and hard work.
A significant turning point in her life and career came in 2000, leading to her Roland Garros singles and doubles victories that year despite a shoulder injury. Pierce emphasizes the importance of unconditional love and support for young athletes, advising parents to treat their children the same regardless of their performance. She also shares her pride for her 2019 induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
This episode originally aired in 2023. The TennisWorthy Podcast is presented by the International Tennis Hall of Fame. For more information and full episode transcriptions, visit tennisfame.com/podcast.
Chris Bowers sits down for an inspiring interview with Rick Draney, a remarkable individual inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2023 as a wheelchair tennis champion and pioneer. Draney shares his powerful journey, which began with a car crash at 19 that left him in a wheelchair. He candidly discusses the struggles of adapting to a new life and how discovering wheelchair tennis became a pivotal turning point in his rehabilitation. Despite initial doubts and challenges with mobility and gripping the racket, Draney's determination led him to innovate his own taping method, which significantly improved his game and established a method for future generations of quad players.
This conversation goes beyond tennis, highlighting how sports can empower individuals to overcome adversity and become their best selves. Draney emphasizes that it's not about what happens to you, but how you choose to deal with it. His story is a testament to perseverance, the importance of support systems, and the vast opportunities available in adaptive sports today. Discover how a willingness to try can lead to incredible achievements and a renewed sense of purpose.
The TennisWorthy Podcast is presented by the International Tennis Hall of Fame. For more information and full episode transcriptions, visit tennisfame.com/podcast.
As protestors insisted on their rights in Tiananmen Square, Hall of Famer Michael Chang persisted in one of the hardest matches of his career: battling defending champion Ivan Lendl through cramps and doubt in the fourth round at 1989 Roland-Garros.
This episode is part of the International Tennis Hall of Fame's TennisWorthy short-form series. View more TennisWorthy stories at tennisfame.com/tennisworthy.
(00:00:15) - When did Michael Chang win the French Open?
Patrick McEnroe welcomes Amit Sood, head of Google Arts & Culture, to discuss Google's partnership with the International Tennis Hall of Fame. McEnroe highlights Google's work in digitizing the "American Lawn Tennis" magazine from the early 1900s, making this valuable historical resource accessible online on Google Arts & Culture's platform. Sood explains Google Arts & Culture's mission to provide access to cultural topics globally through partnerships with museums, archives, and foundations.
The conversation delves into how Google became involved in preserving sports history, starting with tennis in Australia, and the use of AI to enhance the "Serving Tennis History" platform. They also discuss the potential for technology to transform learning and the importance of collaboration between technology and cultural institutions.
View the platform, stories from the full archive of American Lawn Tennis and themes curated by the Hall of Fame and Google Arts & Culture in Serving Tennis History, available online at https://artsandculture.google.com/project/tennis-history.
Host Patrick McEnroe interviews Dana Mathewson, a celebrated wheelchair tennis player and the first American woman to win a major wheelchair title in doubles. Dana shares her journey into tennis, which began after a rare autoimmune disease left her paralyzed at age 10.
The conversation explores themes of overcoming setbacks, the importance of resilience, and Dana's experiences traveling the world for tournaments. Dana also reflects on the significance of representing her country in the Paralympics and her desire to raise the profile of wheelchair tennis in the United States. Dana shares her plans to stay involved in tennis through coaching and commentary, and her efforts to advocate for greater inclusion and accessibility for people with disabilities.
Dana Mathewson is a trailblazer in U.S. wheelchair tennis, recognized as one of the sport’s most prominent figures. A three-time Paralympian and the top-ranked American woman, Dana made history in 2022 as the first American woman to win a Grand Slam title with her doubles victory at Wimbledon. Over her illustrious career, Dana secured 16 singles titles and 32 doubles titles. At the 2023 Para PanAmerican Games in Santiago, Chile, she captured gold medals in both singles and doubles and was honored by her Team USA teammates as a flag bearer. In 2024, she broke new ground again as the first American to compete at the Miami Open Wheelchair Tennis Championship.
This month, the TennisWorthy Podcast explores the theme of dedication, and how champions overcame various challenges in the lives and careers to reach the top. Hear inspiring stories of dedication from three Hall of Famers from the Open Era – Virginia Wade, Goran Ivanišević and Justine Henin – who faced significant journeys to achieve their major goals.
Discover how Wade's early determination, sparked in South Africa, fueled her long-awaited Wimbledon triumph. Goran Ivanišević shares the emotions and belief he needed to capture the Wimbledon title after reaching three previous finals. Explore Henin's deep connection with the French Open and her perseverance to finally claim victory. These inspiring stories highlight the unwavering commitment required at the highest levels of tennis, offering captivating insights.
The TennisWorthy Podcast is presented by the International Tennis Hall of Fame. For more information and full episode transcriptions, visit tennisfame.com/podcast.
Hall of Famer and 48-time major champion Esther Vergeer shares her story of inspiration. After becoming paralyzed at age 8, Esther discovered a love of sport through her rehabilitation process. Following a record-setting wheelchair tennis career, Esther has found her mission in providing opportunities for children with a disability to access and participate in sports. Since 2004, the Esther Vergeer Foundation has transformed lives across the Netherlands.
This episode is part of the International Tennis Hall of Fame's TennisWorthy short-form series. View more TennisWorthy stories at tennisfame.com/tennisworthy.
Spanish tennis greats weren't necessarily known for their success on grass before Conchita Martinez made the final at Wimbledon in 1994. Conchita shares the emotions behind her Wimbledon title, and how establishing her legacy on Centre Court paved the way for her to make and impact in coaching some of the greats of the next generation.
This episode is part of the International Tennis Hall of Fame's TennisWorthy short-form series. View more TennisWorthy stories at tennisfame.com/tennisworthy
Host Patrick McEnroe catches up with Hall of Famer Gigi Fernandez, discussing her career in the framework of tradition. Patrick and Gigi go behind the scenes at Wimbledon and the other Majors, sharing stories and memories of their favorite traditions in tennis, such as wearing white at Wimbledon, the evolution of night tennis, and the debate over best-of-five sets in men's tennis.
Patrick and Gigi open the episode with takeaways from their experience at the launch event of Serving Tennis History, a digital collaboration between the International Tennis Hall of Fame and Google Arts & Culture featuring the full run of American Lawn Tennis magazine. Gigi also shares her personal connection to tennis and her efforts to give back through her foundation, Tennis for Hope, which supports those in the tennis community affected by natural disasters.
Gigi Fernandez is a 17-time major champion in doubles and a two-time Olympic gold medalist for the United States. She was named Puerto Rico's Female Athlete of the Century in 1999 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame alongside her longtime doubles partner Natasha Zvereva in 2010.
In April, we explore the delicate balance between tradition and progress in the world of tennis, focusing on the four major tournaments: Australian Open, Roland Garros, Wimbledon, and US Open. Each tournament, while steeped in history, has had to adapt to the changing times.
Chris Bowers delves into the decisions behind venue changes, like the Australian and US Opens' move to new, purpose-built facilities, and the choice of Wimbledon and Roland Garros to stay rooted in their historic locations.
He also explores the efforts to modernize while preserving the unique identities of these events, from addressing logistical challenges at Wimbledon to Philippe Chatrier’s vision for Roland Garros.
The TennisWorthy Podcast is presented by the International Tennis Hall of Fame. For more information and full episode transcriptions, visit tennisfame.com/podcast.
In 2021, the International Tennis Hall of Fame inducted the Original 9, pioneers who signed $1 contracts in 1970 to create the first women's tennis tour. Facing challenges, they paved the way for equity in sports.
Rosie Casals, Judy Tegart Dalton, and Ann Jones reflect on those early years with Blair Henley, discussing their risks, timing, and behind-the-scenes efforts. Later, Jones tells Chris Bowers how player camaraderie fueled progress on the Virginia Slims tour, uniting women across nationalities to make tennis a viable career.
This episode originally aired in 2024.
In celebration of Women's History Month, we dive into one of the most pivotal moments in tennis history—the story of the Original 9.
In 1970, nine courageous women, led by Billie Jean King and Gladys Heldman, signed $1 contracts and risked their careers to revolutionize women’s tennis. Facing discrimination and a male-dominated tennis establishment, their bold move laid the foundation for professional women’s tennis and equal prize money. This episode of the podcast recounts the iconic Houston tournament, and the lasting impact of these trailblazers.
Hear firsthand accounts from Hall of Famers King, Rosie Casals, Nancy Richey, and other members of the Original 9 as they reflect on the risks, rewards, and legacy of their fight for equality. This is a story of independence, resilience and a movement that transcended tennis.
The TennisWorthy Podcast is presented by the International Tennis Hall of Fame. For more information and full episode transcriptions, visit tennisfame.com/podcast.
Chris Bowers hosts special episode of the TennisWorthy Podcast as we pay tribute to Australian tennis legend Fred Stolle, who passed earlier this week at 86. In an interview recorded at Roland Garros in 2018, Fred reflects on his remarkable career—his rise from humble beginnings, Grand Slam triumphs, clashes with the legendary Harry Hopman, and his transition into coaching and broadcasting. With candid storytelling and sharp insights, this episode recognizes one of tennis’s greats.
Fred Stolle was a 19-time major champion, amateur world No. 1 and Australian Davis Cup standout. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1985.
Hall of Famer Cliff Drysdale joins the TennisWorthy Podcast ahead of Indian Wells to explore his legendary impact on the sport and talk current tennis happenings with host Patrick McEnroe.
From his early days as a top-ranked player to his role in founding the ATP, Drysdale shares behind-the-scenes stories about the fight for player rights and the evolution of professional tennis. The two also discuss Arthur Ashe’s legacy, the rise of modern greats like Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic, and the state of today’s game. With decades of experience as ESPN’s voice of tennis, Drysdale provides untold stories, inside perspectives, and a celebration of the sport’s past, present, and future—all from one of tennis’ most recognizable voices.
Cliff Drysdale is a former top-ranked South African tennis player, a pioneering advocate for professional players as a co-founder of the ATP, and a longtime ESPN commentator. He was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2013 in the Contributor Category.
The TennisWorthy Podcast is presented by the International Tennis Hall of Fame. For more information and full episode transcriptions, visit tennisfame.com/podcast.
February's theme of boldness continues with an insightful conversation surrounding Arthur Ashe's milestone Wimbledon title in 1975, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Host Patrick McEnroe relives the tournament and events surrounding it with two Hall of Famers who were there, Charlie Pasarell and Richard Evans.
The discussion explores Ashe’s strategic brilliance in defeating Jimmy Connors, the challenges he faced as a Black athlete in a predominantly white sport, and his impact beyond the court—including his role in breaking racial barriers, fighting apartheid, and shaping the future of tennis. With personal anecdotes and behind-the-scenes insights, this episode is a tribute to Ashe’s enduring legacy as both a champion and a statesman.
Class of 2024 Hall of Famer Richard Evans is a renown tennis journalist and administrator, author of more than 20 books. Charlie Pasarell, inducted in 2013, captured 23 singles titles during his playing career and later served as the Tournament Director at Indian Wells for nearly 30 years. Both Richard and Charlie were close fiends and colleagues of Arthur Ashe.
The TennisWorthy Podcast is presented by the International Tennis Hall of Fame. For more information and full episode transcriptions, visit tennisfame.com/podcast.
