By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Wednesday, June 18, 2025
Photo credits and Video credits: Matthew Calvis
Accomplished photographer and videographer Matthew Calvis continues capturing the magic, majesty and manic moments of life on the pro circuit.
Now, long-time Tennis Now photographer Calvis is taking tennis fans behind-the-scenes with several top stars.
Matthew Calvis’ new project, Insiders Tennis, pulls back the curtain on how top pros train and prepare for tournament play with long-form video reports.
Insiders Tennis was created from Calvis’ mission to connect tennis fans with the true personalities of tennis pros.
“Insiders Tennis was born from a desire to fill a gap in tennis content—to create something more personal and more human,” Matthew Calvis told Tennis Now. “I was looking for the kind of storytelling that lets you connect with players beyond the surface – not just through traditional media days, but in real, unscripted moments.
“Break Point touched on some of that intimacy, but I felt there was room to go deeper. This project is about capturing those behind-the-scenes layers of what truly brings athletes to life.”
Indeed, recent episodes with Frances Tiafoe and Aleksandar Kovacevic take viewers right onto the court with players and their coaches for an intimate look at player preparation.
Through his years of traveling the pro circuit shooting tennis’ top athletes from the photo pit, Calvis said he’s gained a great sense of appreciation for the demands of the job off court.
“One thing that really stood out is just how intense the travel schedule is,” Matthew Calvis said. “The moment a player loses, they could be on a flight to a different country within hours.
“There’s hardly any time to reset – physically or mentally. Experiencing that up close gave me a real respect for these athletes. It’s not just about performing on court – it’s about adapting constantly to new environments, time zones, and pressures, week after week.”
If you’ve followed Matthew Calvis’ photography for Tennis Now, then you know he has a special skill for story telling beyond forehands and backhands.
Calvis said working closely with players has been both a learning experience and revelation.
“Frances Tiafoe really surprised me—in the best way,” Calvis said. “Based on press conferences, I expected him to be a bit more reserved or guarded. But in person, he was the complete opposite: incredibly warm, open, and full of this fun, light energy.
“I had the chance to film one of his private practice sessions, and what stood out was how much genuine fun he still has on court.
“He brings this playful spirit—but the moment it’s time to get serious, he flips a switch. That balance of fun and intensity was really cool to witness up close.”
Calvis takes you right on the court for the real, raw sounds of athletes at work building their games and confidence in front of our eyes.
The man who started his career as a fashion photographer says his vision is to peel back the game faces and give “players a space to show who they really are.”
“The vision for Insiders Tennis is to keep pulling back the curtain – giving players a space to show who they really are, beyond match highlights and media soundbites,” Calvis said. “We want to become the go-to platform for behind-the-scenes tennis content – the place fans go to feel closer to the game and its people.
“Looking ahead, we’re aiming to create more long-form video for YouTube, expand our storytelling, and hopefully team up with some like-minded brand partners to help bring it all to life.”
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