2017 was the year of tennis films — from Billie Jean King fighting for equal prize money and two tennis legends facing off in 1980s, to a tragically fractured bond between an eccentric coach and Andre Agassi. We look at three titles, including one documentary, which released last year and took the drama off the court.
BATTLE OF THE SEXES
Cast: Emma Stone, Steve Carell, Andrea Riseborough, Natalie Morales, Sarah Silverman
Director: Simon Beaufoy
Duration: 121 minutes
Battle of the Sexes tells the story of ground-breaking tennis legend, Billie Jean King, who changed the face of women’s tennis forever.
In 1970, King (Emma Stone), the number one female player at the time, and Gladys Heldman (Sarah Silverman), the founder of World Tennis magazine, went up against leading tour promoter Jack Cramer, when he announced that the top tournament prize for women would be a mere one-eighth of the men’s.
King and Heldman decided to create their own tour. Eight women signed on, accepting $1 (Dh3.6) contracts. They became known as the Houston Nine and played the Virginia Slims Circuit, named after their cigarette brand sponsor.
In 1973, King (Stone) faced off against Robert ‘Bobby’ Riggs (Steve Carell); Riggs, much older then King, was determined to prove that women didn’t belong on the tennis court. But King was determined to prove the opposite.
The film gives a dramatised, sometimes sanitised account of their stories, on and off the court, and how their interpersonal relationships came into play.
FUN FACT
Billie Jean King and Emma Stone didn’t spend much time together prior to filming. According to a Vogue interview, King said: “Emma was smart. She said I’m too fully formed now. She wanted to know who I was at 29, which was when I played Bobby… If you talk to me now I have more perspective. But you don’t want perspective!”
BORG MCENROE
Cast: Sverrir Gudnason, Shia LaBeouf, Stellan Skarsgard
Director: Ronnie Sandahl
Duration: 107 minutes
Borg McEnroe (also known as Borg vs McEnroe) is an artistic exploration of the infamous rivalry between then No 1 Swedish player Bjorn Borg and hot-headed American newcomer John McEnroe. The two face off at the 1980s Wimbledon, where Borg is gunning for his fifth consecutive title and McEnroe is trying for his first.
Borg kick-started his career as a teenage sensation in the 1970s, became the first player to earn more than $1 million in prize money in a single season in 1979. He retired at the age of 26 due to burn-out, constant scrutiny and high pressure.
McEnroe is also considered one of the best players in the history of tennis, having won seven Grand Slam single titles. He was known both for his technique and his frequent code violations, including verbal abuse of umpires.
Onscreen, viewers can get a glimpse into their individual psyches in the lead up to Wimbledon — from McEnroe’s rage to Borg’s fight-or-flight instincts. The film is a multi-language affair, at times quiet and at times explosive. It may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but director Ronnie Sandahl takes an interesting approach nonetheless.
FUN FACT
The real life John McEnroe expressed reservations about the creation of the film. McEnroe, who said he wasn’t approached for input, doubted that two actors could re-enact the techniques of top tennis players for the big screen. “I’ve never seen a good tennis movie. They all were terrible,” he said.
LOVE MEANS ZERO
Cast: Nick Bollettieri, Carling Bassett-Seguso, Boris Becker
Director: Jason Kohn
Duration: 89 minutes
Behind every great tennis player, you’ll likely find a great coach — and Nick Bollettieri was once the coach of a generation.
In a documentary film dubbed Love Means Zero, Bollettieri’s illustrious career is explored in his own colourful words, as the man himself regales audiences with blunt anecdotes about his life.
But the movie serves as more than just an account of his achievements. At the centre of it lies the still-broken relationship between Bollettieri and one of his most famous mentees, Andre Agassi.
In the early days, Agassi and Bollettieri had something of a father-son bond. But now, for decades, they’ve been on sour terms. This is cemented by the fact that Agassi refused to sit for an interview for the film.
Meanwhile, Bolletieri, now in his 80s, looks back at his triumphs and hiccups, and reflects on his losses. For those who prefer a night of documentaries and chill, Love Means Zero may be just what the doctor ordered.
FUN FACT
‘Love’ does, in fact, mean ‘zero’ in tennis — so if you hear a player’s score announced as love-fifteen, don’t be alarmed. It also means that the players start a game with a love-love score. There are many theories about the origin of the term, but no clear explanation exists.
TENNIS IN FILM: THROUGH THE DECADE
Wimbledon (2004)
A sports film for hopeless romantics. Wimbledon is about a fallen tennis player (Paul Bettany) who meets a fellow player on the women’s circuit (Kirsten Dunst), who changes his perspective on life.
16-Love (2012)
Another romantic comedy, this time teen-centric and suitable for the whole family. The No 1 junior player in the nation begins to realise all she’s been missing out on after an injury pulls her out of commission.
Venus and Serena (2012)
A deep delve into the success story of star sisters Venus and Serena Williams, with a focus on one challenging year in particular — 2011, the time when both sisters had to recover from serious health issues.
Break Point (2014)
A sports comedy film about two estranged brothers who join forces at a grand slam tennis tournament.
7 Days in Hell (2015)
This HBO mockumentary short is basically a glorified skit version of Borg McEnroe. Kit Harrington and Andy Samberg play out a fictional rivalry for just over 40 minutes.
