The Road to Russia

True humility is not thinking less of yourself. It's thinking of yourself less." For many sports people this is an almost impossible task, but there are also some true stars of the game for whom graciousness and humility go hand in hand

In tennis, the pressure to perform at their optimum over a season that lasts eleven months of the year and the outside demands that are placed on players today all can combine to effect game outcomes and tournament results.

Getting to the final of a Grand Slam, representing your country at the Olympics or in Davis or Fed Cup are moments of great pride for any tennis player. Making it to these heights is one thing but staying at the top and managing the expectations of coaches, fans and even your country can be even harder for players

So what makes a champion and what makes a great champion and what is the difference. There are names that will always be on the top of every players list when asked who is the best of the best.

This episode examines the people that bring a Grand Slam tournament to life. It all starts with a tournament director and the players, but there are so many other levels to make a tournament one of the best in the world, ball kids, drivers, umpires and of course the general public that come to see the best of the best compete against each other.

This episode examines the changing generations of both the game of tennis and it's champions. The rules, the game, the players styles, both on and off the courts has all evolved and developed over the years to be the game that we know today. From Laver and Court to Serena Williams, Roger Federer and a whole new breed. Tennis is a global game with personalities that change with the times.

This episode looks at the champions who have made it to Number One in the world – and stayed there. The work ethic required to become Number 1 in the world is imposing. But to become the best of the best and stay there can be a herculean task. This episode examines both the Top 5 in the history of the men's game and the Top 5 in the history of the women's game.

This episode looks at some of history's greatest tennis rivalries.It’s not always a rival that spurs a player to greatness. It can be one opponent on one day at one event that brings a sense occasion to a match or even uncertainty in a top player. From Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert-Lloyd to Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray.

This episode looks at the relationships that players build during their careers. Coaches, trainers, wives, husbands and children all play a part in the lives of the these athletes. While most of these relationships build on a player's on and off court strengths, not all relationships have had a positive or uplifting outcome.

This episode explores the commitment required to make it to the top and the resilience player’s display to comeback from injuries and often crushing defeats. Lleyton Hewitt has suffered painful foot surgeries to make it to No. 1 in the world. Spaniard David Ferrer has shown remarkable strength and fortitude, forging a wonderful career, but unable to secure the elusive Grand Slam tournament win.

This episode explores the lighter and brighter side of players on the tour. Rafael Nadal has routines and foibles that he is happy to have a laugh about when even the ballkids acknowledge their existence. World Number 1, Novak Djokovic isn’t called ‘The Joker’ for nothing, we have a look at some of his on-court and off-court moments.

This episode explores both the discipline and the preparation employed by tennis’ leading players during Grand Slam tournaments and their careers. Lleyton Hewitt explains his drive and determination to be at his best both physically and mentally going into any event. While Andy Murray speaks candidly about the struggle to continue playing while family drama’s unfolded during his 2016 season.

This episode explores the characteristic of courage by focusing on the careers and legacies of Grand Slam champions Michael Chang and Li Na. Chang reveals the attributes that propelled him to become the youngest male Grand Slam champion of all time during the '90s, while Li overcomes numerous setbacks to finally realise her dream of winning the Australian Open.