Rob Lake, Stephen Wagg and Carol Osborne are pleased to announce that contractual arrangements have been made with Routledge for publication of The Routledge Handbook of Tennis: History, Culture and Politics. Due to be released in mid/late 2017, it is an edited collection aimed at providing a comprehensive critical study of tennis, its history, culture and politics. So far, the editors have a stellar list of contributors, writing in total just over 40 chapters, but in response to reviewers feedback we are seeking further contributions in a small number of specific areas, detailed below. Chapters are to be 5000 words, and submitted by January 2017. If you are interested in contributing, please send an email, including a short 200-300 word abstract, to one or all of the editors:
- Stephen Wagg (Leeds Beckett University, UK): S.Wagg@leedsbeckett.ac.uk
- Carol Osborne (Leeds Beckett University, UK): C.Osborne@leedsbeckett.ac.uk
- Rob J. Lake (Douglas College, Canada): Laker1@douglascollege.ca
The areas we are seeking contributions are as follows:
- A 5000 word chapter on the development of tennis in the Middle East, focusing on its incipient emergence and history, key issues and a discussion of its contemporary position in Middle Eastern society. A case study of a particular region or country within the Middle East will be acceptable, providing it aims to situate it within the broader region, and within wider historical, cultural and political issues, processes and developments.
- A 5000 word chapter on the role and development of sponsorships in tennis, focusing on its historical emergence. A case study of a particular sponsor (e.g. Slazenger) or a particular nations’ attitudes toward tennis sponsorship will be acceptable, providing it aims to locate its development in the broader global contexts of sponsorship in general. The role of sponsorship in contemporary (21st century) tennis, and how it continues to influence particular cultural or political aspects of tennis, and tennis governance and power structures more generally, would be a welcome area to explore.
- A 5000 word chapter on tennis governance, focusing on the role of the ILTF/ITF, ATP, WTA and other important governing bodies in the world game. This chapter should span the period from the emergence of the ILTF before the First World War, and also detail the important transition period from amateur to “open” tennis in the late-1960s, and the power struggles that took place throughout the following two decades. A contemporary (21st century) examination of the role of tennis governing bodies, and how they have influenced tennis culture and politics, would be a welcome area to explore.
If you have any questions or queries, please feel free to contact Stephen, Carol or Rob. Also, please feel free to distribute this email and share will other colleagues who might be interested in contributing to one of these areas listed above.
