Ranking the best tennis films of all time

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Although there are many films about team sports like football and baseball, films about other sports – even popular sports like tennis – are relatively few and far between. Tennis films offer a unique insight into the sport, from its glamorous settings to the psychology of its players. Here’s a look at the best tennis movies ever made.

1. King Richard

King Richard is one of the most emotionally moving films of all time, regardless of its connection to tennis. It tells the true story of Richard Williams, the father of Venus and Serena. The legendary sisters were given numerous scripts before choosing this one due to its accuracy.

The role won Will Smith an Oscar. A pushy father, he is a man who wants his children to succeed and get out of poverty at all costs, but he is also someone who borders on physical and emotional abuse. However, scenes in which he is beaten by gangs that are on the court premises show that he was willing to take the pain upon himself, which makes the viewer sympathetic to his character.

Unfortunately, Wimbledon 2024 It will be the first time in 27 years that the sisters will not be at the tournament, much to the disappointment of fans and those looking to place bets on the event. This is seen by many as a change in the tennis world and a transition to the new era of female tennis players such as Ons Jabeur and Mirra Andreeva. While we’ll miss them and there’s a lot more to bet on, it also shows how long the sisters’ careers have been.

2. Wimbledon

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The 2000s flood of romantic comedies often gets a lot of bad press – or, just as strikingly, none at all. On the surface, this film seemed to be just another paper-thin concept indicative of the times. A male tennis star on the way down meets a female player on the way up. A romance ensues and an unforgettable romantic comedy is created.

However, this film offered much more than its competitors from the time. The main actors Paul Bettany and Kirsten Dunst enhance the relationship and give it humanity and credibility. Tennis is also woven into the small details of the film, rather than serving as a foil to give a unique selling point to a plot that could be played anywhere.

3. – Battle of the sexes

Another film that is often overlooked is Battle of the sexes. It tells the true story of Billie Jean King, who took on Bobby Riggs. However, he is not just the tennis legend she is competing against. Billie Jean King is fighting a patriarchal society, the World Tennis Association, and manages to entertain America in the process.

Emma Stone, a two-time Oscar winner, stars. Like every role she takes on, she shines and the tension between her and Steve Carell, who plays Riggs, is palpable. Valeries Ferris and Jonathan Dayton’s film is important because the story was instrumental in ensuring equal pay for women in tennis.

4 – 7 days in hell

One of the longest games in tennis history lasted 11 hours and five minutes. It was played over three days between John Isner and Nicolas Mahut at Wimbledon. This film is a mockumentary starring Kit Harrington and Andy Samberg and examines what could have happened if this match had lasted a full week.

Harrington plays British prodigy Charles Poole, while Samberg plays Aaron Williams, the Venus sisters’ adoptive brother. The tennis star cameos are hilarious. A, and as the week goes on the plot gets crazier and crazier, with speedsters and even the queen getting involved. Ironically, the film itself is short at 45 minutes, packing all the jokes and gags into its bite-sized format.

There are many other tennis films, some of which are Hollywood classics. However, the films mentioned above are a great selection that represent different times and genres. Sit back, grab some popcorn and when the Wimbledon lights go down you can start watching some great movies.