Unbelievable Tennis Movies You Must Watch Before You Die!

Films that showcase diverse sports have consistently drawn in vast numbers of viewers, thanks to their captivating narratives, frequently based on real-life occurrences, and their depiction of individuals who have overcome numerous challenges to attain their current successes.

There’s a special appeal to tennis as a sport, and it’s intriguing to catch a glimpse of what transpires off-court – the emotions and experiences players go through before they step onto the court. If there’s a love story, family ties, or friendships woven into their journey, who wouldn’t want to be part of it? Here’s a compilation of the 25 best tennis movies ever made.

1. Match Point (2005)

Despite the fact that the story isn’t centered around tennis, it significantly permeates throughout. It’s an engrossing blend of drama and suspense that revolves around Chris Wilton, an Irish ex-tennis pro who’s grappling with financial hardships, even after his recent retirement from the sport.

When he takes on the role of a tennis coach at an exclusive London club, he develops a friendship with one of his pupils, Tom Hewitt, and begins dating Tom’s sister Chloe. Things appear to be going smoothly until Chris encounters Nola, Tom’s girlfriend, and becomes fixated on her, an event that will significantly alter the direction of his life.

2. Wimbledon (2004)

In a delightful blend of sports and romance, this heartwarming film draws some influence from the extraordinary moments at Wimbledon, specifically when Goran Ivanišević triumphed after receiving a personal invitation to play. The character of Peter Colt, a seasoned tennis player in his mid-thirties, grapples with the realization that his career might be nearing its end due to his advanced age.

After the final Wimbledon tournament, he had planned to retire, but a sequence of unforeseen events would disrupt those intentions. However, when he crosses paths with Lizzie Bradbury, an exceptionally gifted American tennis player whom he falls deeply in love with, his entire outlook on playing and competing undergoes a dramatic transformation.

3. Borg vs. McEnroe (2017)

This movie, centered around a true sports event, primarily focuses on the 1980 Wimbledon tournament and the intense rivalry between two tennis stars – the composed Björn Borg, portrayed by Sverrir Gudnason, and the fiery John McEnroe, brought to life by Shia Labeouf.

Borg currently reigns supreme in the tennis realm, boasting multiple tournament victories under his belt. However, he’s set to encounter a promising newcomer, an accomplished American named John McEnroe, who could potentially pose a significant challenge to his position as the world’s top player.

4. 7 Days In Hell (2015)

This widely acclaimed television film was shot in a docudrama format, recounting the tale of one of the longest Wimbledon games – the epic 2001 tournament during which the two competitors battled it out for an astonishing seven days.

This story revolves around the intense rivalry between two tennis players – Aaron Williams (portrayed by Andy Samberg) from America and Charles Poole (played by Kit Harrington) from England. Over a span of seven days, their decades-old competition has reached its climax, highlighting their immense skill and talent.

5. Battle of the Sexes (2017)

This film recounts the tale of one of the most famous tennis games in history, the iconic 1973 encounter between Billie Jean King (portrayed by Emma Stone) and former men’s champion Bobby Riggs.

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The contest was famously known as “The Battle of the Sexes,” drawing an audience of 90 million viewers worldwide. On the tennis court, they clashed over their competitive spirit, but off the court, they faced even more intense struggles in their personal lives. King grappled with her identity regarding her sexuality, while Riggs confronted issues related to his gambling, causing troubles with his wife and family.

6. Venus and Serena (2012)

This documentary focuses on the lives of tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams, two exceptional sisters. Throughout their careers, they have been both idolized and met with envy and mistrust by those around them.

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Despite consistently excelling in tennis, their exceptional performance came at a significant cost for both their personal lives and health. In 2011, Venus was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, while Serena bravely overcame a dangerous pulmonary embolism. However, they’ve been unwavering sources of support for each other throughout these challenging times.

7. Final Set (2020)

In simpler terms, this French sports movie revolves around the life of Thomas, who was previously recognized as a promising tennis talent. However, his dreams of a successful career didn’t come true. At 37 years old, despite numerous health problems and deteriorating physical condition, he decides to make one final attempt.

He’s planning on participating in the French Open qualifiers, hoping it will be his final chance to qualify.

8. Arthur Ashe: Citizen of the World (1994)

In this engaging sports film, a variety of intriguing aspects linked to the late African-American tennis champion Arthur Ashe are explored. The narrative is skillfully delivered by Ossie Davis, and over its 50 minutes, it offers viewers an insight into the multifaceted nature of Ashe’s personality.

His performance on the field highlights his exceptional skill, yet it also powerfully depicts a man grappling with challenges that extend far beyond mere professional stress. It reveals aspects of his private life, such as his fight against racial prejudice and AIDS.

9. The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)

In a unique cinematic creation by Wes Anderson, this film focuses on an extraordinary family consisting of three gifted adults and their guardians. Although the plot doesn’t revolve around tennis, it does incorporate several striking tennis sequences that offer insights into their personal struggles.

In this comedic play, we meet the eccentric Tenenbaum siblings – Margot, Chas, and Ritchie – each gifted in their own unique way, who reside under one roof with their intriguing mother. Trouble brews when their long-absent father reappears, intent on reconciling his estranged family.

10. Second Serve (1986)

This television film is based on actual occurrences, focusing on tennis pro Renee Richards, whose life and career took an unexpected turn in 1976 following the disclosure that she was a transgender woman. The narrative takes us back to 1964, introducing Richard Radley, a prominent New York physician who enjoyed cross-dressing as a woman.

Confronted by the reality that he can’t embrace everything, the physician, who was dealing with psychotic gender confusion, chose to leave his old life behind, transforming into Renee. Now, living an entirely new existence, she is thriving in sunny California.

11. First One In (2020)

Following her dismissal from a well-known reality program, jobless realty agent Madi Cooke elects to join forces with a band of underdog tennis players for a competition against Bobbi Mason, a driven real estate professional, and her supposedly skillful tennis companions.

12. Little Mo (1978)

This made-for-TV film is a biographical sports drama that focuses on tennis legend Maureen Connoly, the first woman to achieve all four Grand Slam titles in a single year. It’s an uplifting tale, featuring a captivating portrayal of Maureen by Glynnis O’Connor.

13. Break Point (2014)

In a nutshell, this story revolves around a hilarious blend of sports and comedy where we follow the journey of two long-lost siblings. They reunite with the shared goal of qualifying for a prestigious Grand Slam tennis tournament. The career of our protagonist, Jimmy Price, as a top-tier doubles tennis player is nearing its end.

As a cinema enthusiast, I’d rephrase it as follows: When my latest collaborator walked out on me, I found myself in a dire predicament, unwilling to throw in the towel. Yearning for a return to my glory days, I reached out to my former tennis pro and sibling Darren, asking him to team up with me once more. With the assistance of an enigmatic 11-year-old named Barry, we decided to take a shot at one of the most esteemed tennis competitions.

14. Tennis Anyone? (2005)

Instead of being just a film centered around tennis, this sports drama offers a multi-layered narrative. It delves into personal growth, pondering life’s purpose, and exploring friendship. The story follows two struggling friends from the glamour of Hollywood who find solace and insights to their problems through high-profile tennis competitions.

This film stands alone as a production, penned and helmed by Kirk Fox and Donal Logue. They delivered commendable performances, portraying Danny and Gary – two individuals striving to discover their purpose in life.

15. 2nd Serve (2012)

Owen “Game Set” Match is a renowned tennis player, one of the best in town, working for the luxurious Fountain Club. With his sun-kissed hair, tan and handsome features, he’s quite popular with women, but past mistakes could lead him to an entirely new situation.

Currently, Owen is employed at a nearby community YMCA, where he interacts with a diverse group of younger individuals who may face various challenges. Soon, he’ll realize that contentment isn’t solely tied to wealth and opportunities; rather, he can discover the purpose of life in the most unforeseen situations.

16. When Billie Beat Bobby (2001)

I’m excited to share my thoughts on a new movie that delves into the backstory behind the legendary tennis match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs – a contest that shook the world. Unlike The Battle of the Sexes, which primarily focuses on the match itself and the personal struggles of the main characters, this television movie takes us on an enlightening journey to uncover the events that set the stage for this historic event.

Billie has consistently embraced a spirited, athletic lifestyle, often engaging in football games with her friends. However, her parents discouraged this activity. Instead, she chose to take up tennis and went on to become one of the most accomplished female tennis players in history. When Bobby Riggs, a strong proponent of male superiority, issued a challenge for a match in 1972, she initially declined. But when he defeated another highly skilled female player, she agreed, leading to what became known as the match of the century.

17. King Richard (2021)

Let’s delve into the tales of two exceptional tennis stars, Serena and Venus Williams, as told through the eyes of their devoted father, Richard. In this captivating sports narrative, we trace their journey towards greatness, guided by his relentless pursuit of fame for his daughters.

This story recounts the inspiring journey of two sisters, training tirelessly on the rundown tennis courts in Compton, to eventually gracing some of the world’s top and respected tennis tournaments due to their father’s unwavering dedication and their mother’s nurturing upbringing. They would go on to become one of the most admired tennis players globally.

18. 16-Love (2012)

This movie revolves around a teenage girl named Ally Mash, who discovers that life holds many more opportunities than just tennis. Her world has always revolved around the sport, with endless hours dedicated to practice, leaving no room for other activities.

Following a severe ankle injury, it appeared as though all her aspirations for a successful professional career had vanished. Yet, this injury could turn out to be one of the most beneficial events in her life, as it opens her eyes to a world beyond tennis and hints at love’s proximity.

19. Nobody’s Perfect (1990)

In this lighthearted romance, Chad Lowe portrays a college freshman named Steve, who excels at tennis for his institution. However, once he develops feelings for fellow tennis player Shelly, things take a turn for the worse in his life.

Steve’s ability to eat and rest is affected due to his deteriorating grades. Eventually, he’s ousted from his tennis team. In desperation, Steve consents to his friend’s plan: disguising himself as a woman to join the women’s tennis team, hoping to catch Shelly’s attention since she seems unaware of him.

20. Hard, Fast and Beautiful (1951)

Among the earliest tennis-themed films in cinematic history, this romantic drama was directed by Ida Lupino. It follows the lives of Gordon and Florence, two tennis professionals with distinct career aspirations. Due to her mother’s lofty ambitions, Florence is compelled to excel as one of the sport’s greats.

It appears that Florence is improving, largely due to her mom’s manipulations and a coach focused on fame. However, the pressure may become overwhelming for her. In time, Florence will face a challenging decision: either comply with her mother’s wishes or heed her heart and pursue dreams that might not involve professional tennis.

21. The Break (1995)

As a former professional tennis player, I find myself in an unusual role: mentoring Joel, a determined youngster with dreams of joining the ranks of the pros. The twist? His father is a bookmaker and isn’t too keen on his son pursuing this career path. Intrigued by the challenge, I agreed to help, hoping to steer him away from the sport, but in the process, I find myself drawn into his passion for tennis instead.

Initially, Nick was determined to dissuade him, but upon witnessing Joel’s dedication and determination, he opted to persist in coaching him and sharing all the techniques he thought would be beneficial, encompassing both physical and mental aspects.

22. Citizen Ashe (2021)

The latest film focuses on Arthur Ashe, the Afro-American tennis star, who gained not just fame through his professional tennis career but also by fighting against racial injustice, and who battled AIDS before he passed away.

This film delves into his life, tennis journey, and time spent as an activist against racism and HIV. Notable tennis stars like John McEnroe and Billie Jean King are part of the documentary, sharing their insights on their peers in the sport.

23. Private Lessons (2008)

This drama revolves around a 16-year-old tennis prodigy, who is both French and Belgian. Rather than pursuing formal education, he harbors dreams of bypassing that stage entirely and heading straight to Wimbledon. However, it won’t be long before he must confront the reality: his lack of education may hinder his progress in the pursuit of his deepest passion.

However, Jonas isn’t widely recognized yet and still needs to advance through some educational stages before he ascends. Remarkably, a 30-something-year-old man named Pierre offers tutoring to Jonas, but when Jonas chooses to abandon school altogether, their bond transcends the traditional boundaries of a teacher-student relationship.

24. The Prince of Tennis (2006)

This film is inspired by a well-known manga and follows the tale of Ryoma Echizen, a 12-year-old tennis phenom renowned for clinching four consecutive wins at the U.S. Junior Tennis competitions.

Originally, Ryoma is escorted back to Japan by his father, where he begins attending Seishun Academy Middle School. In this prestigious institution, known for nurturing top-tier tennis players, many of whom are senior to him, Ryoma must demonstrate his skills. As the lone first-year student on the main team and with a tournament fast approaching, Ryoma is also about to face some personal challenges.

25. The Christian Licorice Store (1971)

In this drama, Beau Bridges and Maud Williams feature as primary characters, portraying Franklin Cane, a rising tennis star, and his dedicated coach, Jonathan, who is committed to turning him into a champion.

In the near future, Cane encounters Cynthia, a charming, free-spirited photographer. Following Jonathan’s unexpected demise, Cane rapidly slides into a life bereft of ethics and civility. He is disoriented, finding no comfort in anything and his future has become more unpredictable than ever.

2025-05-23 03:18