Here we bring you the top 7 must watch tennis movies. Some of these movies on tennis are a treat to watch.
1. Borg v McEnroe
Rewind the clocks back to the summer of 1980 when Björn Borg was at the top of his career. It was also a time when the young and feisty American, John McEnroe, was starting to dominate the sport, both on and off the court. This tennis movie is based on true events and leads up to one of the most dramatic men’s singles final tennis matches of all time. It is rated R due to graphic language and nudity. It was released in 2017 and labelled as a sports drama, though there is humour, rivalry, banter, and some really great tennis. With a runtime of 1 hour and 48 minutes, you’ll be thoroughly entertained from the beginning, all the way to the show-stopping end.
2. Battle of the sexes
This film stars some pretty big names, including Emma Stone who portrays Billy Jean King, and Steve Carell as Bobby Riggs. The movie is based on a time in tennis history (1973) when the notion of gender equality didn’t exist. Not only was the shy, private King trying to come to terms with her own sexuality, but her husband was encouraging her to be a spokesperson for equal pay for women tennis players. During the movie, the duo battles each other, as well as complex personal issues. It concludes with one of the most-watched tennis matches in television history, and some of the greatest reincarnated tennis points ever witnessed. This film came out in 2017, is rated PG-13 for sexual content, smoking, and mature subject matter. The runtime for this sports drama is two hours and two minutes.
Fun fact: The memorable match was held at the Houston Astrodome between Riggs, who was 55 at the time, and King, who was 29. 50 million viewers were estimated to have watched it.
3. 7 days in hell
This sports “mockumentary” is a comical film loosely inspired by the Isner–Mahut men’s marathon match played during the Wimbledon Championships in 2010. The original match lasted 11 hours, five minutes, and was spread over three days. The movie explores the backgrounds of two fictitious competitors, Aaron Williams played by Andy Samberg, and Charles Poole, played by Kit Harington who grapple in an epic tennis match that has a semi-climatic ending. Although the match occurs over seven days, this movie’s runtime is only 43 minutes. It premiered in July 2015.
Rotten Tomatoes gave it an 86% review and the top critic from Sydney Morning Herald called it “a truly wonderful romp”.
4. Racquet
If you’re looking for a ridiculously silly flick starring authentic former tennis champions such as Bobby Riggs and Bjorn Borg (in supportive roles), then this 1979 American comedy is the one for you. This film is centered around a former tennis champ who chases after women and lives a lavish lifestyle rubbing elbows with the rich and famous. Although this film got mixed reviews, the humour is classic and the hairstyles, cars, courts, and equipment are simply nostalgic.
5. Wimbledon
If romantic sports comedies are your thing, then Wimbledon is right up your alley. This 2004 classic tennis movie features a frustrated and disillusioned professional tennis player Peter Colt, played by actor Paul Bettany, and an up-and-coming American tennis player, Lizzie Bradbury played by Kirsten Dunst. While Colt is prepared to retire from competition and become an instructor at an exclusive private tennis club, he receives a surprising wild-card entry to compete at Wimbledon. At Wimbledon, Colt meets Bradbury, and the duo fight to find love, passion, and luck on and off the courts. This film is rated PG-13 and has a runtime of one hour and 40 minutes.
6. Break point
In this sports comedy, two estranged brothers reunite to make an improbable run at a grand slam tennis tournament. This heart-warming, pleasantly surprising film stars some big names including Jeremy Sisto as Jimmy, Adam Devine as Nick, David Walton as Darren, and Amy Smart as Heather. In an attempt to make one final crack at a major doubles tournament, he will have to find a way to change his on-court attitude and off-court behaviours. He’ll also have to ask for his younger brother’s help, that is, if he wants to succeed. It was released in 2014.
7. Match point
Directed by the wildly creative Woody Allen, Match Point stars Jonathan Rhys-Meyers as Chris Wilton, a tennis instructor who becomes enamoured with money, prestige, and a newfound social status. During the movie, Wilton becomes caught in a love triangle that has violent consequences. This film will have you sitting on the edge of your seat. It was released in 2005. Allen was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.
