Tennis is one of the most popular sports in the world. Wimbledon is annually one of the highest viewed sporting events and that trend doesn't appear to be going down. According to the USTA, there was a 22% increase in tennis participants from 2019 to 2020, the biggest surge ever. Tennis is here to stay and there are plenty of movies that back that up.
Andre Agassi once said, "Advantage, service, fault, break, love the basic elements of tennis are those of everyday existence because every match is a life in miniature." Tennis incorporates a lot of different skills. It is physically demanding, but it's also a mental game. Every movie about tennis talks about mental toughness and incorporates different stories to highlight that fact. But only a few of them have proven to be memorable
Balls Out: Gary The Tennis Coach (2009) - Available To Buy On Amazon TV
Balls Out is a raunchy comedy starring Seann William Scott. Scott is known for pushing the envelope comedy-wise and this movie is no exception.
There is plenty of tennis happening in the movie, which is good to hear, but it is by no means a serious film. This movie is reliably funny about a janitor-turned tennis coach who helps lead his school's team to the state championships. It's a movie with some heart but is ultimately about the laughs.
When Billie Beat Bobby (2001) - Available To Buy On Amazon Video
The original "Battle of the Sexes" movie retells the story of the time Billie Jean King beat Bobby Riggs in straight sets.
No doubt an important moment in history, When Billie Beat Bobby does a good job at conveying the inequity between men and women and showing how Billie Jean King was a champion of her time. The acting is superb behind Holly Hunter and Ron Silver. This movie is a good starter to the Battle of the Sexes main course.
7 Days In Hell (2015) - Available To Stream On HBO Max/HBO Now
This HBO original mockumentary is exactly how it sounds. It's very well made, but still a spoof of the real thing. 7 Days In Hell is seriously funny in the sense that it's a tennis movie that makes fun of athletes and people in general under the tennis umbrella.
It is apparently a spoof of the longest match ever played between Nicolas Mahut and John Isner that lasted 3 days in the first round of Wimbledon. The star studded cast led by Andy Samberg and Kit Harrington drives home the point that it is a comedy first, but the focus on the sport is enough for it to be recognized as a tennis movie.
Match Point (2005) - Available To Buy On Amazon Video
A bit less about the sport of tennis and a little more focus on the mentality and obsession of winning, Match Point is a gripping tale of ambition and what one person is willing to do for what he wants.
This movie flew a little under the radar, but is still worth the watch. This movie is probably one of Scarlett Johansson's most underrated performances and the story will keep you glued from start to finish. Chris Wilton (Jonathan Rhys-Meyers) finds himself playing a dangerous game when he marries into a wealthy family for status only to fall for the girlfriend of the friend who got him there in the first place. To call this a drama is an understatement.
Break Point (2014) - Not Available To Stream Yet
A relatively unknown movie, Break Point is a hilarious tale of two aging brothers who went separate ways in their careers only to reunite for one last chance at glory.
This movie classifies as a dramedy, taking itself seriously, but not forgetting the humor that comes with an untested substitute teacher and out-of-shape loose cannon duo. Starring J.K. Simmons, the story involves fairly complicated family dynamics and the tough reality that sometimes your best isn't always enough. A very entertaining story and plenty of good tennis to be seen.
Wimbledon (2004)
As far as romantic comedies go, this one is unique. One would think there'd be more tennis themed rom-coms, but there aren't.
The tennis scenes in this film are actually filmed pretty well. Kirsten Dunst's role as a rising tennis star is convincing as well as Paul Bettany's role as the aging professional (but maybe not when he's playing). With the production granted access to film around the All England Club, the whole movie is given a real feel. Everyone loves a good underdog story and stories about people realizing their potential. This movie has both.
Battle Of The Sexes (2017) - Available To Stream On FuboTV
One of the higher-profile tennis movies out there, Battle of the Sexes, hits all the right strokes. This is not the first movie about the famed "Battle of the Sexes" match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs, but it is the superior one.
Both hit on the gender equality theme, but Battle of the Sexes does a better job of both transporting the viewer to its time period and demonstrating a parallel between the issues of then and present day. This was one of Emma Stone's most memorable roles, but performances by the whole cast were great, and it has some really interesting tennis scenes. All around a fun watch for anyone.
Final Set (2020) - Available To Stream On Amazon Video
Final Set is one of those movies that catches audiences pleasantly by surprise. The generic title leads viewers to believe it's going to be a romantic comedy or dramedy wrapped in a loose tennis theme, but that is far from the truth.
This movie is a gritty, realistic tale of an aging tennis pro who desperately wants to prove that he can still play. He tries his luck by attempting to qualify for the French Open while dealing with his family, injuries, and a harsh reality. This french gem is well worth the watch.
Borg vs. McEnroe (2017) - Available To Stream On FuboTV
Borg vs. McEnroe is a rare mix of a narrative feature based on historic events that actually gets it right. Based on the famous rivalry and friendship between Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe, this enthralling story of two elite tennis players is one of the best.
Two personalities that, on paper, couldn't be more different but in reality were very much the same. This movie does a great job going behind the scenes of Bjorn Borg's life and telling the story that many people did not know. The story is very well constructed and the tennis scenes are also fun to watch.
King Richard (2021)
Being the title movie, this one is obvious. Tennis is nothing without its players, and this movie about two of the best to ever play takes the cake. King Richard has it all. It's got heart, amazing acting and most importantly, great tennis.
This is one of the few movies out there that actually filmed the actors playing and more than just a couple of volleys. It's incredible watching the young actors actually hit the ball like the real Venus and Serena. That mixed with the incredible direction, emotional poignancy and historical accuracy easily make this the top tennis film out there. It's also revealing that Venus and Serena didn't agree to sign on as Executive Producers until after they saw the film (according to Deadline).