Tennis is hot right now. More and more people are playing the game. Tennis-influenced fashion is everywhere. And even the entertainment industry is paying attention, creating tennis movies, television shows and documentaries. If you want romance, drama, mystery, comedy or history, tennis on film has it all. Here’s what’s new, and some of what you may have missed the first time around.
Tennis can thank Challengers for making it cool again. This stylish film stars fashion icon Zendaya as a tennis phenom caught in a steamy love triangle with two men who are longtime friends and bitter rivals. Zendaya’s tennis ‘playing’ is convincing although she wasn’t really hitting a ball. She copied the swings of top tennis players as if learning choreography. (Zendaya is a dancer, after all.) The ball moving back and forth was added in post-production. But who cares? The drama is intense, on and off the court.
If you’re looking for a tennis love story that’s less racy/more romcom, don’t miss Wimbledon, starring Kirsten Dunst and Paul Bettany. Set largely at London’s stately All England Club, the movie follows the relationship and careers of two tennis stars (one on the way up, the other struggling), with lots of grass court action and a satisfying romance. If you want a tennis comedy without any mushy stuff, 7 Days in Hell might be for you. Starring Andy Samberg and Kit Harington, it’s a silly spoof on the notorious three-day Wimbledon match between John Isner and Nicolas Mahut. Tennis fans will appreciate the inside jokes. Seriously, critics liked it!
In Apples Never Fall, a new episodic drama on Peacock, the former owner of a Palm Beach tennis club, played by Annette Bening, goes missing. The investigation into her disappearance causes her family to look inward. This dredges up a lot of emotion, much of it caused by conflicts and frustrations played out on tennis courts. The unfolding mystery quickly draws viewers in. Bonus points for the luxe county club setting and Bening’s ‘coastal grandma’ sense of style.
Want more intrigue served with a side order of tennis? Match Point, starring Scarlett Johansson and Jonathan Rhys is the perfect thriller. This riveting film tells the story of a failed tennis player trying to ingratiate himself with a super wealthy family in London. His schemes are threatened when he meets a gorgeous, passionate woman. Noticing a theme here: Filmmakers seem to think the worst of failed tennis players. Hmmm…
Shia LaBeouf convincingly portrays John McEnroe in Borg vs. McEnroe, a dramatization of the events surrounding the 1980 Wimbledon final. No small victory, given that John McEnroe is truly one of a kind. This movie helps us understand why--turns out his on-court antics aren’t the whole story. For those who’d prefer to hear from the legend himself there’s McEnroe, a documentary in which the notorious tennis player talks openly about his tumultuous career. Footage from the tournaments, and the parties, in the ‘70s and ‘80s is fascinating as well.
Will Smith won an Oscar for his turn as Richard Williams in King Richard. The movie shows us how Serena and Venus Williams’ father paved the way for his daughters to dominate tennis for nearly two decades. It’s a fascinating look into their groundbreaking journey to the top of the tennis world. (Kudos to the young actresses who portray the sisters. They clearly put in the work to hit like ‘real’ pros.) Again, if you’d prefer to see the actual athletes, watch Venus and Serena. This revealing documentary sheds light on what makes these two champions tick as they face victory and loss. Can’t get enough? Being Serena, an HBO series, explores the more personal aspects of her life, including her marriage to Alexis Ohanian and the difficult birth of her first daughter. More? In the Arena: Serena Williams, is a new docuseries from ESPN, in which she looks back at her legacy with a fresh perspective, sharing new info. Did you know a skateboarding accident helped her forehand and that Green Day is her favorite band?
Federer: Twelve Final Days, is a must for Federer fans, but have tissues handy. It takes viewers on an emotional journey following the great Swiss player’s last days as a tennis professional. Nadal fans will love it, too. The film illustrates how close Nadal and Federer became over the years despite all the hard-fought matches. The tennis besties laugh and cry (a lot), and ultimately Nadal is by Federer’s side during his last match. They play doubles together in the 2022 Laver Cup. There’s lots of behind-the-scenes interaction with other top players, as well as older footage of Federer’s rise to dominance. It’s a thrill to see that forehand and how beautifully he hit it in his prime. Backhand isn’t bad either.
Perfect double feature: No doubt the ‘Fedal’ bond of mutual respect was forged during their epic Wimbledon final in 2008. Known to sports fans as the greatest tennis match ever played, the five-set contest is the subject of Strokes of Genius which explores what makes the men, and their intertwined careers, so extraordinary. The images of a young Nadal flying around the court in his long hair/long shorts phase are iconic.
The Gods of Tennis series on PBS will enthrall fans of the game’s Golden Age. This in-depth look at the tennis stars of the 1970s and ‘80s focuses on Arthur Ashe, Billie Jean King, Bjorn Borg, John McEnroe, Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova. So much fun to see old clips of these players, and how their rivalries brought out the best and (sometimes) the worst in them. Of course, Gods of Tennis covers the historic ‘Battle of the Sexes’ match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs, played in 1973. For more ‘70s tennis, complete with awesome soundtrack, check out Battle of the Sexes starring Emma Stone and Steven Carell. Remember back when we solved the issues of sexism and inequality in sport? Ahem…
Hot Shots
Tennis lovers might be interested in checking out these classic scenes in movies that aren’t exactly about tennis.
*In Saltburn, the glamorous cast, wearing evening clothes and drinking champagne out of the bottle, plays tennis on the grounds of an English manor--an activity now on my bucket list.
*Imagine Cher, Michele Pfeiffer, Susan Sarandon and Jack Nicholson playing doubles. That’s exactly what happens in the Witches of Eastwick, with a bit supernatural shot making mixed in.
*The funniest tennis scene of all time must be in Bridesmaids when the characters face off on a tennis court, letting their true emotions come to the fore(hand). Been there.
*Luke Wilson, playing ‘the worst tennis of his life’ in The Royal Tenenbaums, committing ’72 unforced errors,’ is a scene some of us will never forget (can relate to?)
