The Tennis Photography Exhibition at the Garden Cafe, sponsored by St Ann’s Tennis, is a celebration of parks tennis in Brighton & Hove over the last ten years. It features the work of two local professional photographers and tennis players: Luca Sage and Neil Stoddard.

The exhibition is curated by St Ann’s Tennis director Conrad Brunner, and also includes additional works by photographers Simon Dack and Joss Albert.

Conrad Brunner writes: “I have, for years, been begging favours off professional photographers to help showcase and promote the busy tennis life of our city. Neil and Luca have often been generous with their photographic skill, and this exhibition is a ‘thank you’ for their excellent work over many years.

“Many images were taken in and around the tennis courts at St Ann’s Well Gardens, covering juniors and disability groups, as well as local competitions. Several photos in the collection were taken at the annual Parks Cup Finals Day at Queens Park Tennis Club.

“Parks tennis is a very big deal in our city, where we enjoy a large volume of public courts—in fact, there are more public courts in Brighton & Hove than in Greater Manchester. The popular Brighton & Hove Parks League, which is contested between the different parks clubs, has been going strong for 96 years since it was first contested in 1930. Every team is made up of four men and four women, and St Ann’s puts out five teams every week. The Parks League was conceived with the aim of offering cheaper, more accessible tennis competition to players who cannot afford or choose not to join private clubs. Today, the League remains absolutely true to its original purpose.”

The McEnroe Photograph

One much older photograph, in black and white, was taken by local photographer Simon Dack, who worked for The Argus for many years. It captures a moment in perhaps the most famous tennis match ever played: the 1981 men’s singles final at Wimbledon between Björn Borg and John McEnroe. The photo captures the moment McEnroe finally defeated the five-time champion, 4–6, 7–6 (7–1), 7–6 (7–4), 6–4. Borg retired shortly after, aged just 26.

Simon joined the Worthing Gazette & Herald as a trainee photographer when he was just 16. In 1979, he started working for the Keystone Press Agency in London and—as a huge John McEnroe fan—was thrilled to cover his idol’s iconic victory at Wimbledon.

The following year, Simon joined the Brighton Evening Argus, where he worked for more than 30 years. He covered everything from the bombing at the Grand Hotel to the Great Storm of 1987, alongside a wealth of Brighton & Hove Albion fixtures and tennis tournaments at Eastbourne.

Simon, who has won multiple Photographer of the Year awards, has been freelance for the last 11 years. He continues to cover sports events at the Amex Stadium, Eastbourne, and beyond.

Simon reflects on the shot:

“I was a big McEnroe fan back in the day and just loved his serve-and-volley style—he always made great shots. I still have my Dunlop Maxply racket. This was the last wooden racket model that McEnroe ever used—although the strings are completely knackered on mine.”