Fifth Set, The (ATOM Study Guide)

For a century, the Davis Cup has been one of the world's greatest tennis competitions. Despite the lure of big money on the professional circuit, the Cup continues to stand for sportsmanship, team spirit and national pride. For Australia, it has given us heroes like Norman Brookes, Ken Rosewall, Lew Hoad, Neale Fraser, Rod Laver, John Newcombe and Patrick Rafter. And it has helped define us as a nation, turning a rich person's game into a country's passion.

Introduction
The Fifth Set is a tennis history of Australia. The video uses film clips and interviews to bring to life the game's past and the personalities who have become icons of Australian sport. Along the way, The Fifth Set offers insights into broader social, political and economic issues and more recently, the psychological aspects of playing sport at a world level.

Curriculum Links
Teachers in a variety of areas at secondary and tertiary levels could use The Fifth Set to illuminate social and cultural changes in Australian society during the last hundred years. English teachers could show it to students who have few interests outside of sport. It offers opportunities for students to write about or depict their favourite tennis star or tournament using a variety of written and artistic genres. SOSE teachers can take up the discussion points where relevant. Australian History teachers may use it to provide alternative entry points to social changes in the twentieth century. Health and Physical Education teachers may take up issues such as fitness, behaviour at sporting events, parenting and sport, motivation, and dealing with stress. Tennis coaches could use segments to illustrate aspects of the game to young tennis players. At tertiary level, it provides useful examples for further research for students of Australian History, Cultural Studies, Media Studies, and Sport and Recreation.