The Archive
The Information Research Center’s collection of film, video and audio materials documents the great events, institutions and individuals from the history of tennis. Among the nearly 3,500 film, videotape, and audiotape records is major and historic match footage from around the world, as well as tournaments and Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies held here at the Newport Casino.
Researchers and students of the game will find a valuable resource on the history of tennis in the 20th Century in our collection of video and audiotape oral history interviews.
Great players, journalists, and industry leaders were all captured on tape, recounting pivotal matches, moments and memories of the sport. Take a listen to one such interview with Hall of Famer Don Budge. Budge was recorded in 1975 discussing his 1937 Wimbledon Championship and his 1937 Davis Cup match against fellow Hall of Famer, Gottfried von Cramm.
Our earliest footage dates to 1926 and highlights the only meeting between Hall of Famers and tennis legends, Helen Wills and Suzanne Lenglen. Featured here, the silent film shows the popularity of the historic match along with the grace and skill of both players. The bulk of our collection covers tennis in the 1970s up to the present day.
In 2008, the IRC received a grant from the William Randolph Hearst Foundation to begin a digitization program of more than 2,700 hours of videotape in our collection. The Digital Video Asset Project will help ensure the preservation and accessibility of decades of tennis video footage that might otherwise be lost.
Visit the Information Research Center
The Information Research Center (IRC) is located directly above the Museum at the International Tennis Hall of Fame on the 3rd floor of the historic Newport Casino, 194 Bellevue Avenue, Newport, Rhode Island. Visitors may make an appointment to conduct research in our library and archives, or our knowledgeable staff is available to provide assistance with research services.
Reservations required, contact the Curator of Collections, Nicole Markham at 401-849-3990 | Visitation fee per day: $50
20% discount applies to Advantage Program participants and students with proof of enrollment (or under age 17), military, seniors (60 and over), members of professional library/museum/archiving organizations (with proof of membership).
The facility is open year-round, 9:30am – 4:30pm, Monday through Friday (Excluding Thanksgiving and Christmas Days).