Tennis is one of those sports I have zero interest in … unless it appears in a movie. Like golf, tennis is more exciting when viewed through a filmmaker’s creative lens. This week, we’re getting Hollywood’s latest swing at the sport via the Zendaya-starring Challengers from director Luca Guadagnino. So far, reviews have been great for the R-rated drama, but will they be enough to propel Challengers to the type of fame and acclaim achieved by other tennis pics? Namely, ahem, the ones listed below? We’ll have to wait and see. In the meantime, here are the five best tennis movies you can check out if you need a few more tennis racquets in your life.
King Richard (2021)
Will Smith earned his first Academy Award for his mesmerizing and heartfelt portrayal of Richard Williams, the dedicated (and stubborn) father of tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams. The film chronicles his attempts to steer his kids out of their crime-filled neighborhoods to fame and glory. So, while tennis matches take a backseat to human drama, the film explores the sport enough to warrant its inclusion on the list.
Plus, Serena and Venus Williams are arguably the two most popular tennis players of the modern era. Even if you don’t watch tennis you likely know who they are.
7 Days in Hell (2015)
In the late 2000s, Andy Samberg produced three mockumentaries: the deliriously over-the-top Popstar: Never Stop Stopping, the not-quite-as-good-but-still-funny Tour de Pharmacy, and the one that started it all, 7 Days in Hell. Like most of the former SNL star’s work, this spoof on tennis is not for the easily offended or those unaccustomed to a healthy amount of “dudity” in their comedies.
Those who can stomach the excess will discover a hilarious, often bizarre, sendup of those cheesy ESPN documentaries, effectively following the arduous seven-day match between Samberg’s fallen star Aaron Williams and Kit Harrington’s world-weary Charles Poole. Somehow, Samberg convinced a bevy of stars to join the party, resulting in a relentlessly dumb (in a good way) examination of athletes and fame and one of the best tennis movies.
Wimbledon (2004)
Those seeking a more traditional sports fable should check out the romantic comedy Wimbledon, starring Kirsten Dunst and Paul Bettany as a pair of tennis pros searching for love on the courts. The story revolves around Peter, an ailing British star seeking one last chance at success. While on tour, he bumps into a feisty American player named Lizzie; sparks fly, romance ensues, and suddenly Peter’s game takes off. Can Peter and Lizzie balance their newfound relationship with their aspirations? Will Peter find the fame and success he longs for?
Co-starring Jon Favreau, Sam Neill, Bernard Hill, and James McAvoy, Wimbledon is an enjoyable romp with strong performances and contagious optimism. (Weirdly, Wimbledon started a trend in which Spider-Man’s girlfriends go on to star in tennis films. Dunst in Wimbledon, Emma Stone in Battle of the Sexes, and Zendaya in Challengers.)
Match Point (2005)
You might not consider tennis an ideal backdrop for a psychological thriller directed by Woody Allen, but the dark and complex Match Point proves otherwise. Jonathan Rhys Meyers stars as Chris Wilton, a former tennis professional who becomes involved with a wealthy British family, notably Nola Rice (Scarlett Johansson), his friend’s young, attractive fiancé.
The film explores Chris’ decisions and actions, resulting in unexpected consequences that test the very concept of luck and fate. While certainly not a fun movie like Allen’s other films, Match Point is a gripping character study with strong performances from all involved.
Borg vs. McEnroe (2017)
On the complete opposite end of the 7 Days in Hell spectrum lies Borg vs. McEnroe, a true-life tale about the intense rivalry between tennis legends Björn Borg and John McEnroe, portrayed by Sverrier Gudnason and Shia LaBeouf, respectively. The film examines each athlete closely, exploring their backgrounds, personalities, and the pressure the adoring public and media conjure for their iconic clash at the Wimbledon Championships in 1980.
Loaded with terrific performances, particularly by LaBeouf, who captures McEnroe’s manic energy with perfection. Borg vs. McEnroe is a powerful sports drama that somehow went overlooked when it was released in 2017 but makes our list of the best tennis movies.
