What does it take to become the highest ranked women’s tennis player in the world?
That is the question Francis Amat seeks to answer in the feature length documentary “Unraveling Athena” premiering in Australia at the Melbourne Documentary Film Festival on July 28th.
Four years in the making, the film features interviews with over 20 of the most recognizable women of the sport who have all been ranked No. 1 in the world by the WTA (Women’s Tennis Association) during their careers.
Featuring legends like Billie Jean King, Martina Navratilova, Chris Evert, Evonne Goolagong Cawley, and Caroline Wozniacki, “Unraveling Athena” is an unmissable look at the journey of becoming a champion that will satisfy and inspire any tennis fan who’s curious to know what it takes to reach the top.
With the recent win of 15-year-old Cori Gauff over Venus Williams at the 2019 Wimbledon Championships, the film couldn’t be more timely in its depicting the evolution of young player to professional athlete dominating the world circuit.
More than simply focusing on female athletic prowess, the film delves into the mental and emotional aspects of rising through the sport from the histories of those who have achieved the highest title.
Through the eyes of champions, viewers learn about the obsession, resilience, and sheer love it takes to hit the court day in and day out.
One of the biggest lessons viewers will take away from “Unraveling Athena” is that to win or succeed at anything, whether in life or sport, one has to persevere—get up when there’s defeat, and not dwell when down but to think past the ball or challenge.
The heroines in “Unraveling Athena” show us that with great tenaciousness and unwavering resolve the biggest dreams are possible to achieve, even those of becoming a champion.
See the Australian Premiere of “Unraveling Athena” July 28th at the Melbourne Documentary Film Festival. To learn more about the festival, visit: mdff.org.au.
