In recent years, sport has come very close to the world of entertainment and this does not only concern the fact that many athletes have almost become rock stars celebrated and acclaimed by the public from all over the world, but also that more and more production companies cinematographic have decided to focus on the creation of sports-themed films and series that tell stories of the past in a more or less invented way. But there are also real documentaries that explain in detail how certain dynamics went and in this last regard the producers of Formula 1: Drive to SurviveNetflix series that tells, through the words of the protagonists, the various seasons of the Circus.
The format proved successful, with almost unimaginable audience peaks especially in the United States, where fan interest had waned in recent years. For two years now, however, the USA has proved to be an excellent catchment area for Liberty Media (the company that manages the rights to the World Championship) to such an extent that, together with the leaders of Formula 1, they have decided to bring new stops, including one in Las Vegas which will make its debut in November this year.
However, the manufacturers themselves Drive to Survive they didn’t want to limit themselves to the automotive world, adopting the same format too for tennis. The series, which made its debut last January, has received good feedback and, while waiting for the second part to come out, it has already been announced that there will also be a second season whose filming is taking place this year .
Berrettini, Kyrgios, Fritz, Auger-Aliassime, but not only, the protagonists of this first experiment in which they tell their stories and sensations that accompanied them in certain moments of last year. But Breakpoints it is not the only cinematographic product on tennis that has depopulated among fans. Some tell stories that are already known, others invented but which, as often happens in the world of cinema, goes against all odds, “stuff” that not even movie buffs tennis betting they could guess. Below is a list with the best movies theme.
The list of the best movies about tennis
Wimbledon (2004)
A first title to recover, which made its cinema debut almost twenty years ago, is certainly Wimbledon. The title already suggests the setting: the All England Club in London where every year what for many is the most important event of the season for its charm and tradition takes place. The protagonists are Lizzie Bradbury, played by Kirsten Dunst, and Paul Bettany in the role of Peter Colt. The first is a young woman promise of tennis chasing the victory of the prestigious Grand Slam title, the other is a veteran former number eleven in the rankings who finds himself playing the tournament as a wild card in the final phase of his career. Obviously we don’t make spoilers, but just think that the film was inspired by the story of Goran Ivanisevic, former Grand Slam champion and now Novak Djokovic’s coach, to which a good dose of romance has been added. Suitable for tennis fans and romantic comedy lovers.
Breakpoints (2014)
No, it’s not the Netflix series, but a ninety-minute film that tells the story of Jimmy and Darren Price. Two fictional characters played by Jeremy Sisto and David Walton who, after various vicissitudes, will find themselves together to try to win the US Open. JK Simmons is also in the film, for a niche film that certainly has his charm.
7 Days in Hell (2015)
Another title that is certainly more entertaining and with less pretensions, but not for this reason to be avoided, is the one that tells, with such inventiveness, the longest match in the history of Wimbledon: 7 Days in Hell. In reality, the match was played by John Isner and Nicholas Mahut, who played for 11 hours and 5 minutes and at the end of which the American was victorious 6-4 3-6 6-7 7-6 70-68 . In the film, however, the protagonists are Aaron Williams, played by Andy Samberg, and Charles Poole, aka Kit Harington, the Jon Snow of Game of Thrones. An often irreverent film that also sees cameos by Serena Williams and John McEnroe, but at the center of the dispute between the two protagonists there is also a “spicy” story involving Williams and a childhood friend of Poole. Not to be missed.
The battle of the sexes (2017)
Then we find The battle of the sexes, a historical adaptation that tells the match between the great Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs, who gave life to one of the matches of the so-called “Battle of the sexes”. It was the seventies and the feminist movement was gaining more and more ground to obtain its affirmation in a society marked much more by male chauvinism. The implications that there were also concerned sport and from here the idea of playing was born tennis matches featuring both male and female protagonists. Therefore, the one between King and Riggs was not the only meeting but the film focuses precisely on that, with the former champion played by Emma Stone and the two-time Grand Slam champion by Steve Carrell.
Borg McEnroe (2017)
Borg and McEnroe were two of the greatest players ever. Their victories and numbers obtained in their careers prove it, but also several films and documentaries that retrace the stages of their rivalry, among the most beautiful ever in the world of tennis. One calm and peaceful, the other restless and with a turbulent soul, often over the top on the pitch. The film, directed by Janus Metz, and which sees Borg Sverrir Gudnason and McEnroe Shia Labeouf, recounts their confrontation at Wimbledon in 1980 with clever novice, also revealing some background on their lives. Perhaps even the most ardent fans will be pleased.
A winning family (2021)
One of the latest news that the cinematographic world has given us is “A winning family – King Richard”. A film that earned Will Smith the Academy Award, who on this occasion played the role of Richard Williams, father of the most successful sisters in the history of tennis, Serena and Venus. Almost a “master father”, who had even planned their career even before they were born and then managed to respect it thanks to the talent and constant work of the two champions. To be seen.