TV Pick of the Week: Gods of Tennis - Review by Yvette Huddleston

In the opening episode it is Billie Jean King and Arthur Ashe who come under the spotlight, both pioneers in their different ways. King campaigned tirelessly for equal rights and pay for women tennis players, while Ashe (who died in 1993) was challenging racism in the game – he played in South Africa’s national championship in 1973 during apartheid on the condition that both the competition and audience were desegregated – and he became the first Black player to win Wimbledon in 1975.

There is footage of his ground-breaking match against Jimmy Connors in the Wimbledon final and of King’s legendary on-court encounter with American former top tier player Bobby Riggs, who challenged her to a match, claiming he would win because a woman would never be able to beat a man. Dubbed ‘the battle of the sexes’, King was the victor and it was another step towards equality. She speaks eloquently about her determination to effect change and warmly of Ashe as a player, activist and friend.

The second part explores the rivalry between Björn Borg and John McEnroe, with electrifying footage from some of their matches, including a few memorable McEnroe meltdowns, and hears from both men who have since enjoyed a close and lasting friendship. In the 70s and 80s Borg was like a rockstar, mobbed by screaming fans wherever he went, while McEnroe was the bad boy of tennis.

In the final episode, the attention turns to two superstars of the women’s game – Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova who held the top two spots for many years and who couldn’t be more different in playing style and temperament. Encouraged at the time to maintain a competitive distance, they too have forged an affectionate off-court relationship. Navratilova talks movingly about how she became a refugee, escaping the Communist regime in 1970s Czechoslovakia and leaving behind her family and homeland in order to pursue her tennis career.

There are contributions from other players such as John Lloyd, Pat Cash and Pam Shriver, commentators Sue Barker and Clare Balding, British and American sports journalists and celebrity tennis fans Miriam Margolyes and Jonathan Ross. Fascinating, thrilling stuff and a great tennis taster in the run-up to the return of the Wimbledon Championships at the end of this month.