Sports-themed movies frequently find commercial success. Additionally, during the past 10 years or so, we have witnessed how popular tennis has become in movies. Fun fact: Borg vs. McEnroe and Battle of the Sexes were two tennis movies that made their world premieres at the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival. In more recent years, King Richard garnered its fair share of Oscar adoration despite the Will Smith/Chris Rock slap controversy, which is still widely discussed today.
Hollywood has produced comical and serious tennis movies based on both genuine stories and fictitious interpretations. Hey, Woody Allen joined in on the fun when it comes to this international sport, which has just received attention in a new Break Point Netflix docuseries. See our list of the top tennis-related movies below for more information.
7 Days in Hell (2015)
For decades, mockumentaries have graced television. Then came the comic adventure that was 7 Days in Hell, which even inspired a follow-up HBO series called Tour de Pharmacy. However, the first episode is focused on the tennis world and depicts a rivalry between two fictitious all-stars, Aaron Williams (Andy Samberg) and Charles Poole (Kit Harrington, AKA Jon Snow from Game of Thrones). In this delightfully made-up story, Aaron, known as “The Bad Boy of Tennis,” is an American orphan who was found on the streets and taken in by Richard Williams. Charles, on the other hand, is a British child prodigy whose controlling mother forced him to pursue a tennis career (Mary Steenburgen). This entertaining 50-minute short, which is narrated by Jon Hamm, has a tonne of additional cameo appearances and will have you giggling the entire time. Bravo to HBO for supporting this innovative endeavour.
Battle of the Sexes (2017)
The 1973 tennis match between women’s world champion Billie Jean King (Emma Stone) and former men’s champion and serial hustler Bobby Riggs (Steve Carell) was billed as the Battle of the Sexes and one of the most watched televised sports events of all time. This was in the wake of the sexual revolution and the rise of the women’s movement. King and Riggs’ antagonism intensified as they engaged in more complicated and personal conflicts off the court. In addition to fighting for equality, the intensely private King was also coming to terms with her own sexuality as her friendship with Marilyn Barnett (current Oscar nominee Andrea Riseborough) grew. Despite some screenplay issues, it’s delightful to watch Stone and Carell return in Battle of the Sexes after Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011).
Borg vs McEnroe (2017)
It’s the Wimbledon tennis tournament from 1980. The best tennis player in the world and unquestioned monarch of Wimbledon is Björn Borg. A fifth consecutive victory would be a global first for him; he has won the competition four times in a row. But John McEnroe, a fresh face in the tennis world, poses a significant danger to Borg’s title ambitions. The focus of Borg vs. McEnroe is on the well-known professional rivalry between the tennis players at Wimbledon, which culminated in their meeting in the men’s singles final, which is still regarded as one of the sport’s most thrilling contests ever. LaBeouf’s portrayal of McEnroe was described as a career-high performance, and the movie opened the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival. It received plaudits for its camera work and actor performances.
Break Point (2014)
In 2014, a somewhat unknown tennis comedy became widely popular. It’s called Break Point and it centres on boisterous man-child Jimmy Price (Jeremy Sisto), who is aware that his career as a doubles tennis player is almost over. The movie is titled after a pivotal moment in a real tennis match. When his most recent partner dumps him, it’s a major blow because he has nearly burned all of his bridges on the professional circuit. Without any other choice, he makes an effort to restart his career by persuading his estranged brother, Darren (David Walton), a former tennis partner, to play alongside him. The pair attempt to win a grand slam tournament with the aid of an eccentric 11-year-old named Barry (a standout Joshua Rush). Break Point also succeeds because to Amy Smart and Oscar winner J.K. Simmons’ entertaining supporting roles.
King Richard (2021)
Richard Williams was resolved to immortalise his daughters Venus and Serena in history, and he did so with the help of a bold 78-page strategy and a clear goal. The girls are formed by their father’s dedication and their mother’s fair outlook as they train on Compton’s abandoned tennis courts, defying the odds and expectations placed before them. Based on a true story, King Richard explores the inspiring journey of a family whose unwavering convictions produce two of the greatest sports legends in history. Richard is portrayed by Will Smith in an inspiring and amazing way. For the performance, he earned an Oscar in 2022, which he dutifully kept. It’s just a shame that Smith’s behaviour during the ceremony cast a cloud over possibly his best performance to yet.
Match Point (2005)
Match Point, according to Woody Allen, is one of his best drama movies. It centres on Chris Wilton (Jonathan Rhys Meyers), who accepted a position as a tennis coach at an upmarket tennis club in London. Tom Hewett, a wealthy student, is one of his friends (Matthew Goode). Chloe Hewett (Emily Mortimer), Tom’s sister, is a girl-next-door type who Chris begins dating. With the help of her businessman father (Brian Cox), Chloe seeks to help Chris and their future by securing him an executive job. Chris develops feelings for Nola Rice (Scarlett Johansson), a struggling American actress who he meets at the Hewett estate and who also happens to be Tom’s unofficial fiancée, while living with the Hewetts. This movie’s third act is one to remember. After all, according to Allen, if you don’t feel terrible after viewing one of his movies, he hasn’t done his job.
Wimbledon (2004)
Why not create a narrative film about the Wimbledon tennis tournament since we have all heard of it? In the 2004 film Wimbledon, Peter Colt (Paul Bettany from WandaVision), an ageing English tennis player, decides to take a job with the famed tennis club instead of continuing his career. But then, by chance, he runs upon rising American women’s tennis player Lizzie Bradbury (Kirsten Dunst). They fall in love and deal with the pressures that come along with it, including Lizzie’s overbearing manager father who wants their relationship to terminate since it would hurt her career. Although it’s a fairly typical romantic comedy that also features tennis, Bettany and Dunst consistently deliver in their athletic parts.
