Welcome!

Welcome to “On Court, Off Court, and Always on Camera: Women’s Tennis and the Media.” This digital exhibit takes you through how female tennis players have been represented in the media during the Open Era, which is when tennis was professionalized, and since the formation of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) in 1973. This exhibit uncovers the intricacies of women’s tennis media coverage by examining how modes of social and political thought and the transformation of the WTA (such as the globalization and increasingly corporate environment of the organization) have shaped the perception of these athletes across five intersectional areas: 1) race, ethnicity, and nationality, 2) sexuality, 3) sexualization, commodification, and feminine representation, 4) youth sensationalization, and 5) mental health. Feel free to explore the Prezi, which showcases relevant images, videos, newspaper headlines, and stories, along with the accompanying text below it to guide you through the exhibit and the artifacts displayed. Enjoy!