Cover ‘Borg vs McEnroe’ (photo courtesy of Neon/Julie Vrabelova)
‘Borg vs McEnroe’ (photo courtesy of Neon/Julie Vrabelova)
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From thrilling sports dramas to charming rom-coms, tennis takes centre court in this curated list of must-watch films
Tennis has always been one of the most popular sports in the world, but it just doesn’t have that film-making draw the way football, boxing, or even chess does. It can’t be the lack of action. Watch any Williams sister play and see how heart-pounding it is.
While the number of tennis films can never compare to those about other mainstream sports, the past decade has seen a rise in tennis-themed productions. Tennis has also been especially relevant as more people embraced it as a hobby and not just something to watch on the telly.
From popcorn rom-coms to enjoy after a rough Saturday match to deeply rousing sports dramas, these films may spark an obsession with tennis.
1. ‘Challengers’ (2024)
Zendaya made tennis the sport of 2024 and inspired tennis core in fashion. At the onset, Challengers is about a love triangle between Tashi Duncan (Zendaya), a tennis prodigy-turned-coach, her husband Art (Mike Faist), a burned-out tennis champion, and his former best friend/Tashi’s ex-boyfriend Patrick (Josh O’Connor), who is a washed-up player. However, it doesn’t take too long before the deeper themes emerge.
The non-linear narrative showcases unresolved tensions, past betrayals and ambition. The ending is controversial, but director Luca Guadagnino and screenwriter Justin Kuritzkes are unapologetic, explaining the decision better demonstrates the human connection highlighted in the plot.
2. ‘Wimbledon’ (2004)
This Kirsten Dunst and Paul Bettany rom-com is an easy watch—and, unlike Challengers, doesn’t ask too much from the viewer. Peter Colt (Bettany) is a former promising tennis star in his last year as a pro, while Lizzie Bradbury (Dunst) is a rising talent set to win her first Wimbledon match. The tennis-playing is a bit cheesy, but critics believe it perfectly captures the self-talk most players endure to get through the pressure of sports.
3. ‘Battle of the Sexes’ (2017)
Crazy Stupid Love costars Emma Stone and Steve Carell reunite, this time as rivals, chronicling the iconic 1973 tennis match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs. The film contrasts King (Stone), a trailblazer fighting for gender equality in sports, and Riggs (Carell), a showman seeking to reclaim the spotlight. As the match gains global attention, it becomes a symbol of the broader struggle for women's rights.
4. ‘7 Days in Hell’ (2015)
This film satirises the 2010 marathon match between John Isner and Nicolas Mahut, notorious for being the longest tennis tiff in the world. The mockumentary features the “Bad Boy of Tennis” Aaron Williams (Andy Samberg) and child prodigy Charles Poole (Kit Harington). Styled like an HBO Sports production with raw BBC footage, it showcases a seven-day match interspersed with bizarre controversies, wild antics, and intense melodrama.
5. ‘King Richard’ (2021)
Will Smith’s Oscar-winner performance is at the core of this biographical drama. He plays Richard Williams, the determined and visionary father of tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams. The security-guard-slash-makeshift-coach devises a rigorous plan to transform them into world-class athletes despite financial struggles and societal pressures. The film presents the strength of ambition, sacrifice, and unconditional support.
6. ‘Borg vs McEnroe’ (2017)
Tennis is all about the rivalries. This sports drama centres around the professional enmity between Björn Borg (Sverrir Gudnason) and John McEnroe (Shia LaBeouf), culminating in their epic 1980 Wimbledon final. Underscoring the mental toughness and personal toll of athletes at this level, director Janus Metz Pedersen alternates between the two players’ personalities: Borg’s methodical approach and McEnroe’s fiery nature.
7. ‘Balls Out: Gary the Tennis Coach’ (2009)
Don’t expect too much from this raunchy tennis comedy except laughs. It follows Gary (Seann William Scott), a former college player who becomes a high school tennis coach. He uses unorthodox methods to lead a misfit team to success—along the way, they encounter personal obstacles, trouble with the school administration, and lots of other hilarious events.
8. ‘Racquet’ (1979)
Racquet is another sports comedy that revolves around a group of eccentric characters involved in a prestigious tennis tournament at a posh resort. Former tennis pro Tommy Everett teaches wealthy clients to play at their lavish homes. However, he needs to do much more to find the money to fund a private tennis court. As personal rivalries and romantic entanglements unfold, the tension on and off the court rises, and comedy ensues. You can also spot real-life tennis stars Bobby Riggs and Bjorn Borg.
9. ‘Strangers on a Train’ (1951)
Two men, tennis player Guy Haines (Farley Granger) and charmer Bruno Antony (Robert Walker) meet on a train. The latter hatches a plan to swap murders, with Antony killing Haines’ adulterous wife and Haines killing Antony’s abusive father. Haines rejects the idea, but Antony proceeds, triggering a game of blackmail and psychological manipulation. Alfred Hitchcock’s psychological thriller isn’t centred on tennis per se, but the legendary director uses it as a metaphor for power, control, and tension.
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