Tennis Channel’s First Full-Length Feature Film Earns Sports Emmy Nominations
April 10, 2019
LOS ANGELES, April 9, 2019 – Tennis Channel’s first full-length feature film, Strokes of Genius, has been nominated for two Sports Emmy Awards by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. The program is a finalist for the Outstanding Long Sports Documentary and Outstanding Musical Direction awards, which will be announced at the 40th Annual Sports Emmy Awards ceremony in New York City May 20.
Additionally, network announcer Ian Eagle was nominated for the Outstanding Sports Personality – Play-by-Play award for his work with Tennis Channel, CBS Sports and Turner Sports.
Tennis Channel produced Strokes of Genius in conjunction with Amblin Television, creative-production company Rock Paper Scissors and Wimbledon’s All England Lawn Tennis Club. Author Jon Wertheim (@jon_wertheim), whose 2009 book Strokes of Genius: Federer, Nadal, and the Greatest Match Ever Played inspired the film, also co-produced the documentary. The executive editor and senior writer for Sports Illustrated appears on Tennis Channel throughout the year. The film’s musical score was written by award-winning composer Jeremy Turner.
Strokes of Genius interweaves match footage, exclusive photos, personal videos, an original-music score, story-supporting graphics and revealing conversations with players, family members and Hall of Famers to compare the ongoing rivalry between Roger Federer and Raphael Nadal – considered one of the greatest in sports history. The story is told through the prism of their epic 2008 Wimbledon championship battle, thought by many to be the best tennis match and one of the most thrilling individual sports contests of all time. Strokes of Genius is supported throughout by new commentary from John McEnroe and Bjorn Borg, along with Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova, pairs of Hall of Fame rivals often discussed as tennis’ best.
Given unparalleled access to each player’s notoriously guarded inner circle, Tennis Channel looks at the impact of sustained individual rivalry and its place among the most powerful, universal drivers toward the summit of excellence. Though it follows the relationship between two great and contrasting champions, the inspiring tale of athletic achievement and the setting of new standards is a truly human one, able to be appreciated by tennis aficionados and non-sports fans alike.
Tennis Channel partnered with the BBC, CW Network and Apple iTunes to share Strokes of Genius with a worldwide audience beyond traditional tennis fans.