The top 10 tennis movies ranked by Rotten Tomatoes
With hundreds of tournaments taking place every year, tennis is one of the most popular sports in the world. Hollywood filmmakers wouldn’t pass up this opportunity, seeing it as a gold mine that can be approached through either comedy or drama, creating imaginative interpretations and basing it on real events.
Whatever approach filmmakers choose, there are numerous films that have been produced that examine the lives, careers and all that defines them of tennis pros, either truthfully or artistically. From highly rated documentaries to romantic sports dramas, tennis fans have plenty of options to choose from as they await the opening of the next Grand Slam.
10 “Wimbledon” (2004)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 61%
Wimbledon follows a professional tennis player (Paul Betty), who gave up and dropped from 11th to 119th position. Then he meets a young player (played by Kirsten Dunst) and she helps him regain his focus for Wimbledon, one of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments.
Wimbledon is a charming and humorous romantic comedy that is heartwarming and motivational. In addition, Bettany and Dunst play a nice couple who are just as intensely competitive in their emotional relationships as they are on the pitch.
9 ‘Breakpoint’ (2014)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 71%
breakpoint follows a cocky man-child Jimmy Price (Jeremy Sisto), who is well aware that his career as a doubles tennis player is all but over. With no other choice, he strives to revive his career by killing Darren (David Walton), his estranged brother and former tennis partner, to play alongside him at the next Grand Slam tournament.
Although breakpoint struggles at times with his tone and action but ultimately thrives on and off the pitch thanks to his rich sense of humor. What’s more, it’s a gently touching comedy that goes beyond tennis and into brotherhood and family, anchored in Sisto and Walton’s incredible chemistry.
8th “Venus and Serena” (2012)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 75%
Venus and Serena is an American sports documentary that tackles serious issues and follows tennis champions and real life sisters, Venus and Serena Williams as they experience health issues and excessive media attention on and off the pitch.
This film shows how the Williams sisters have always had a different standard than the rest of the industry, aside from their wins and losses. Though it doesn’t quite enter their minds, Venus and Serena still oozes panache, as do the girls themselves. Fans may not learn anything new about the sisters, but the film covers enough territory to feel like the cinematic equivalent of one of those in-depth, lengthy interviews about the Williams.
7 “Match Point” (2005)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 77%
Despite being a recently retired senior tennis star and coming from a humble upbringing with traditional values, match point follows Chris Wilton (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) as he is still having financial difficulties. It gets worse when he has an affair with his brother-in-law’s girlfriend (Scarlett Johannson).
The film is an engaging blend of moral drama and sardonic humor, with an unexpected twist at the climax. In addition, the acting performance is just as flawless as Remi adefarasine‘s stunning cinematography. match point is evident proof that romance and tennis can collide to create a must-see sports film.
6 “Battle of the Sexes” (2017)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 84%
Based on a true story battle of the sexes revolves around the 1973 tennis match between the women’s world champions Billie Jean King (played by Emma Stone) and former men champion and serial hustler Bobby Riggs (played by Steve Carl), which was touted as a “battle of the sexes” and was one of the most watched televised sporting events of all time.
The film avoids becoming a hype machine or getting sucked into the weird media circus surrounding the main game. Instead, the focus is still on the participants, the emotional stakes and the importance of King’s Win. Over and beyond, battle of the sexes as a depiction of women’s rights and the sexual revolution of the 1970s takes up as much space as an appropriate homage to one of the most prominent sportswomen of the 20th century.
5 “Borg vs. McEnroe” (2017)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 84%
Borg versus McEnroe is a biographical sports drama centered on the legendary rivalry between tennis players John McEnroe (played by Shia LaBeouf) and Bjorn Borg (Sverrir Gudnason) during the 1980 Wimbledon Championships, which culminated in their clash in the men’s singles final, one of the most exciting tennis matches of all time.
The film offers glimpses into the lives of these Goldstar athletes and gives viewers a glimpse of who they are behind the games. Additionally, Borg versus McEnroe shows a personal story of tenacity and not just a competition. Thanks to stunning photography and a standout performance from LaBeouf, tennis has never looked better on the big screen.
4 ‘7 Days In Hell’ (2015)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 86%
7 days in hell is a sports mockumentary that explores the backstories of rivals Aaron Williams (Andy Samberg) and Charles Poole (Kit Harington), two veteran tennis players who competed in a 7-day match in 2001 believed to be the longest match ever.
7 days in hell maintains his intellect throughout the follies and provocations, and more importantly, he strictly adheres to documentary procedures with incredible attention to detail that shows HBO really spent money on the production. 7 days in hell is truly a 45 minute fast paced goofy comedy with wacky humor that will delight not only tennis fans but moviegoers in general.
3 ‘Final Set’ (2020)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 88%
Last sentence is a French sports drama film about Thomas (Alex Lutz), who was once known as a young tennis prodigy, was never able to pursue the profession he envisioned. Despite his deteriorating physical condition, at the age of 37 he decides to play in the French Open qualifying stage to win the tournament one last time.
The film is truly inspirational, moving, compelling and meaningful, and like most sports films, it focuses more on the characters and the backdrop to the brutality of the sport than on the sport itself. Furthermore, few directors have managed to transform the sports film genre into cinematic art to raise, but Quentin Reynaud join in Last sentence.
2 ‘King Richard’ (2021)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 90%
King Richard tells the story of Venus and Serena Williams’ development as tennis players under their father’s tutelage Richard Williams (played by Will Smith). Even before they were born, Richard was working on a strategy to turn his daughters into successful tennis players.
By bringing family dynamics to life, the film transcends the conventions of sports biographies. Additionally, King Richard is a predictable plot, but each frame is filled with an infectious power, passion and pathos that beautifully subtly make this tale sports drama at its most exhilarating and soul-shattering.
1 “Citizen Ashe” (2021)
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 97%
Citizen Ashe follows Arthur Ashe (Karlon Davis), a tennis pro and civil rights activist, and chronicles his rise to fame after becoming the first black American to win the US Open in 1968. Ashe’s political activity is sparked by Ashe’s murders Robert F Kennedy And Martin Luther King Jr.giving it a platform for social change.
Rex Mueller And Sam Pollard‘s uncomplicated documentary does justice to the life of the legendary Arthue Ashe with his many interesting stories in a very informative and inspiring way. Also, what makes this film so compelling is how it focuses on how easily life is affected by the events that happen every day and how to overcome the downsides and still thrive.
