The WTA has partnered with photographer Radka Leitmeritz on “Her True Self”, aimed at showing players at their most authentic moments. The first set of photos released are those of the 2019 US Open champion Bianca Andreescu.
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Radka Leitmeritz explained why she finds athletes so inspiring:
I shot Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird for the ESPN Body Issue. Their bodies are their tools. They have bodies that are living something, doing something. I want to work with athletes. It was a really important moment for me. Since then, I’m way more attracted to real, healthy sporting bodies.
The photographer added that her goal is not only to make players look beautiful, but to capture them in an intimate, personal way that is also stylish. She doesn’t want to doll players up, rather, show them in a private setting and get to know them better.
Showing the intimate world of Bianca Andreescu wouldn’t be complete without her mother, Maria, who the photographer described as an amazing, very spiritual woman, and added: “We had a beautiful talk, a beautiful connection. I would love to do more.”
Tennis is one of Radka Leitmeritz’s specialties. Her famous work includes photos of Petra Kvitova and Barbora Strycova for Elle Czech and Racquet Magazine.
nice pictures! accessing their beauty and strength without being tacky like some of the others.