Elation and Searing Defeat: Photographing Grand Slam Tournaments

I hated tennis camp as a kid (I would rather go indoors and read), but it started my interest in tennis and obsession with the psychology of the game.

Serena Williams and Roger Federer–who make tens of millions of dollars–are among the greatest of all time. But there are 14,000 professionals, where 80% make almost nothing.

Most toil in obscure tournaments with prizes of several hundred dollars which hardly cover hotel expenses in places such as Donetsk, Ukraine; Rimouski, Canada; or Champaign-Urbana, Illinois.

Qualifying rounds are necessary for some lower-ranked unseeded players to get the chance to compete in Grand Slam tournaments, which are often filled with young teenager newcomers or those at the end of their careers.

I will photograph qualifying tennis tournament(s) at an upcoming French Open, Wimbledon, or the US Open, capturing environmental portraits, behind-the-seen photos, and athletes before, after, and during play.

Some possible images could include:

• Teens, excited about playing for the first time but losing or nervous.

• Once high-ranked players at the end of their career, devastated by a loss resulting and forced retirement.

• Views of messy locker rooms, press centers, broadcast booths.

• Players preparing before the match lost in concentration or listening with earphones, blankly staring.

• Court preparation, including maintenance workers, groundskeepers, and cleaners.

• Capturing a player’s facial expression and body language on the court right after they win or lose.