The Tennis Channel and the award-winning media company Religion of Sports are partnering with tennis champion Coco Gauff on two original docu-shorts that will be part of the series “Tennis Story.” Gauff’s company IROC will co-produce the films, which premiere later this month, and Vashni Korin, a Harlem Junior Tennis and Education Program (HJTEP) alumna, directs.
The first film will explore the history of fashion in tennis, looking at game-changing moments and their impact on culture. “Tennis fashion is definitely in a Renaissance period right now,” said Korin. “This piece is told through a woman’s lens, highlighting how women have utilized their voice and their celebrity to bring attention to social justice moments.”
There will be mention of various bans female tennis players faced — from Gussie Moran, who caused a ruckus in 1949 for wearing a shorter skirt and lace-trimmed knickers at Wimbledon to Serena Williams wearing a black jumpsuit at the French Open. “I wanted to dig into the criticism that society has had on women’s bodies and show how far we’ve come,” said Korin. “I love how women are pushing boundaries.” Producer Chelsea Marotta noted there is a push-and-pull on athlete self-expression as athletes have adeptly challenged the system.
The second film spotlights former touring professional Zina Garrison. Garrison was a high-profile Black player on the pro circuit in the 1980s and 90s. Today, she is based in Houston, Texas, passionate about inspiring young people to take up tennis. Gauff has indicated that Garrison is one of her heroes.
“The piece on her is called ‘The Zina Effect,’” said Korin. “It follows her current life as she continues her work as a coach, mentoring students in Houston. It’s really a community-centered story: inner-city kids from Houston basically continuing her legacy.”
When Arthur Ashe passed away in 1993, his widow, Jeanne Moutussamy-Ashe, told Garrison that she needed to continue his community work. At the time, Garrison was only 29, and it seemed a huge responsibility that she didn’t feel ready to take on, but she acquiesced.
“She’s not just a coach; she’s a mentor; she calls herself an auntie in a sense,” said Korin. “She’s always there for her students. What was so compelling about her is how much she loves her community. … In a tennis world where Black representation isn’t as prominent…she’s fostered a support system.”
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