Every sport has a set of movies that are devoted to it and use that sport as a plot device or even the main focus of the storyline. Here are 10 of the best tennis movies of all time, along with some information about each one:
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- Director: Valerie Faris
- Writer: Simon Beaufoy
- Cast: Emma Stone, Steve Carell, Andrea Riseborough, Sarah Silverman, Bill Pullman
- Synopsis: Based on the true story of the 1973 “Battle of the Sexes” match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs, this film tells the story of two of the greatest tennis players of all time and their battle for equality.
- Why it’s a good tennis movie: This film is a well-made and entertaining biopic that tells a fascinating story about two important figures in tennis history. It also features some great performances from Emma Stone and Steve Carell.
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- Director: Janus Metz
- Writer: Ronnie Sandahl
- Cast: Shia LaBeouf, Sverrir Gudnason, Stellan Skarsgård, Elizabeth Olsen, Patrick McNamee
- Synopsis: This film tells the story of the rivalry between two of the greatest tennis players of all time, Björn Borg and John McEnroe, leading up to their 1980 Wimbledon final.
- Why it’s a good tennis movie: This film is a well-made and engrossing sports drama that captures the intensity of the rivalry between Borg and McEnroe. It also features some great performances from Shia LaBeouf and Sverrir Gudnason.
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- Director: Richard Loncraine
- Writer: Paul Andrew Williams
- Cast: Kirsten Dunst, Paul Bettany, Sam Neill, Elisabeth Shue, Goran Ivanisevic
- Synopsis: This romantic comedy tells the story of a young American tennis player who falls in love with a British tennis star.
- Why it’s a good tennis movie: This film is a charming and funny look at the world of professional tennis. It also features some great performances from Kirsten Dunst and Paul Bettany.
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- Director: Wes Anderson
- Writer: Wes Anderson, Owen Wilson
- Cast: Gene Hackman, Anjelica Huston, Ben Stiller, Gwyneth Paltrow, Luke Wilson
- Synopsis: This quirky comedy-drama tells the story of a dysfunctional family of geniuses. The film features a scene where the two young Tenenbaums, Chas and Richie, play a game of tennis.
- Why it’s a good tennis movie: This scene is one of the most memorable in the film, and it perfectly captures the eccentricity of the Tenenbaums. It’s also a great example of how tennis can be used as a metaphor for life.
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- Director: Woody Allen
- Writer: Woody Allen
- Cast: Scarlett Johansson, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Emily Mortimer, Brian Cox, Matthew Goode
- Synopsis: This psychological thriller tells the story of a young man who uses tennis as a way to climb the social ladder.
- Why it’s a good tennis movie: This film is a well-made and suspenseful thriller that explores the dark side of ambition. It also features some great performances from Scarlett Johansson and Jonathan Rhys Meyers.
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- Director: Andrew Dominik
- Writer: Andrew Dominik, John C Reilly
- Cast: John C Reilly, Elisabeth Shue, Paul Giamatti, Vanilla Ice, Bobby Cannavale
- Synopsis: This mockumentary tells the story of a fictional tennis match between two washed-up players. The film is set over the course of 7 days, and it features over-the-top performances from John C Reilly and Elisabeth Shue.
- Why it’s a good tennis movie: This film is a hilarious and absurdist take on the world of professional tennis. It’s also a great example of how tennis can be used as a way to satirize modern culture.
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