Flappers & Fiction

From the manicured lawns of Newport to the cricket grounds of Staten Island, this chronicle traces the swift ascent of lawn tennis in America. It captures a world where the “tongue of scandal” has never wagged, a gentleman’s pursuit requiring culture rather than the raw popularity of baseball. We follow the triumphs of champions like Mr. Sears and Mr. Slocum, and observe the quiet social revolution of ladies taking to the courts. Here is a portrait of a pastime that demands grace, pluck, and a very specific degree of civilization.