Richard Evans on Perspective, Journalism and 65 Years of Tennis History

Hall of Famer Richard Evans discusses his fascinating career as a tennis journalist, which led him to the International Hall of Fame as an inductee in the Contributor Category. He reflects on the qualities that make a Hall of Famer, emphasizing achievement, personality, and character. With his longtime colleague Chris Bowers, Evans recounts how he got his start in tennis journalism at the age of 21, ghostwriting columns for tennis champions like Althea Gibson and Jaroslav Drobný. He shares a pivotal moment when he took Gibson to the Wimbledon Ball, highlighting the subtle discrimination she faced as a Black woman. Evans also talks about the role of tennis designer and player liaison, Ted Tinling, and his efforts to introduce color into Wimbledon's all-white dress code The Hall of Famer delves into his time as the European Director for the ATP, where he worked to professionalize tennis and advocated for players' rights against outdated amateur officials. He concludes by discussing his close relationships with players like Rod Laver and John Newcombe, and his belief that the modern game has lost something due to the disconnect between players and journalists. The TennisWorthy Podcast is presented by the International Tennis Hall of Fame. For more information and full episode transcriptions, visit tennisfame.com/podcast.