Courtesy: ESPN
ESPN Films’ Peabody Award-winning series 30 for 30 continues next Tuesday, October 29th with another brand new film. Next Tuesday, ESPN and ESPN films take audiences into the tennis world in This is What They Want. The film focuses on tennis star Jimmy Connors and his unbelievable run in the 1991 US Open.
Connors was thirty-eight years old when he entered the 1991 US Open, and was nearing his thirty-ninth birthday. At the time, he was ranked 174th in the world. And it had been eight years since he had earned his last Grand Slam singles title. For those not familiar with the tennis world, this is not a good sign for someone coming into one of tennis’ biggest events. Connors was close to being eliminated in the tournament’s first round. But then something incredible happened. Connors went on a tear that included a contest with Aaron Krickstein on his way to the semi-finals. Connors’run through the tournament is richly detailed and examined thanks to director Brian Koppelman and David Levien. The pair have been producing and directing movies since 1997. Their list of credits includes: Rounders, Oceans Thirteen, The Illusionist, and the new hit movie Runner, Runner. The pair included in this film, interviews with veteran tennis players John and Patrick McEnroe, Mary Carilo and Jim Courier along with Kirckstein. Through their interviews and classic footage, This is What They Want examines not just Connors’ run but also what made him such a talked about figure in the tennis and sports worlds. It shows how he helped make tennis the equally talked about sport that it is today.
All films in the 30 for 30 series will be available for download the day after their broadcast via iTunes and Amazon Instant Video. The remaining films in the series are listed below. A special six-disc collector’s edition Gift Set containing the first fifteen films from 30 for 30 Volume II will be available in stores and online Tuesday, November 26, 2013.
The remaining films of the fall slate will air as follows:
- Tuesday, Oct. 29, 8 p.m. –This is What They Want (Directors: Brian Koppelman and David Levien)
- Tuesday, Nov. 5, 8 p.m. –Bernie and Ernie (Director: Jason Hehir)
More information on all things 30 for 30 is available online at http://www.facebook.com/espn30for30, http://twitter.com/30for30, and http://www.espn.com/30for30. To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.
philspicks 