'Red Oaks' and 4 Other Movies & TV Series About Big Tennis, Ranked by IMDb
They all give you that same heart-stopping feeling when the ball hovers over the net and time seems to stand still.
Tennis isn't featured on screen as often as fans would like. Perhaps that's because capturing the dynamics of the court, the psychological battle behind every shot, and the climax of a tiebreak is no easy task.
However, when it's done well, the result is truly captivating. This list features five films and TV series in which tennis is not just a backdrop but a full-fledged protagonist.
5. 'Hard, Fast and Beautiful!', 1951
IMDb Score: 6.2/10
Florence Farley is a brilliant tennis player, thanks largely to her mother, Millie. One day, Florence left the country club courts for the world of professional tennis, leaving her ailing father behind to travel to national tournaments.
While Millie ponders how to monetize her daughter's talent, consumed by Florence's fame, the tennis player loses her passion and increasingly yearns for a simpler life with her beloved.
4. 'Battle of the Sexes', 2017
IMDb Score: 6.7/10
In 1973, 55-year-old multiple Grand Slam champion Bobby Riggs played 29-year-old Billie Jean King, the world's No. 1 tennis player and founder of the Women's Tennis Association.
Dubbed the Battle of the Sexes, the match became a public arena for the confrontation between the feminist movement and the guardians of traditional values. The match was broadcast live on television and watched by 50 million viewers.
King's victory over Riggs shattered patriarchal notions and ended her fight for equal pay on the tennis court.
3. 'Challengers', 2024
IMDb Score: 7.0/10
Best friends Art and Patrick used to dominate tennis tournaments together. Patrick was unrivaled on the court, but Art won in love, capturing the heart of Tashi – a talented and composed tennis player – before his friend could.
After an injury forced her to give up competitive tennis, Tashi began training Art for the major leagues. Years passed, and Art still hasn't come close to winning the coveted titles.
The fate of Art's career will be decided by a Challenger tournament in New Rochelle, where Patrick suddenly shows up, determined to avenge his loss to Tashi and qualify for a Grand Slam tournament.
2. 'Boom! Boom! The World vs. Boris Becker', 2023
IMDb Score: 7.4/10
Oscar winner Alex Gibney's documentary is about Boris Becker, a controversial tennis player from the 1980s and 90s. Becker won Wimbledon at age 17 and became famous for his powerful serve and aggressive playing style.
After retiring from professional tennis in 1999, Becker became a tabloid fixture. In 2001, Angela Ermakova sued Becker in court, claiming he was the father of her daughter, a claim he resisted for years.
In spring 2022, a British court sentenced Becker to two and a half years in prison for concealing assets and committing financial fraud. However, Becker was included in a major amnesty program and returned to Germany in December of that year.
1. 'Red Oaks', 2014-2017
IMDb Score: 7.9/10
David Myers is studying to be an accountant. He lives with his parents and works as a tennis instructor at Red Oaks, a prestigious country club in New Jersey. His girlfriend, Karen, also works at the club, but their relationship is on the rocks.
Karen questions her choice of partner while David is drawn to Skye, the unattainable daughter of the club's owner, Doug. The series largely focuses on issues of masculinity and male identity.
Tennis is used metaphorically to illustrate this: to achieve success, David must take the initiative and learn to return fate's serves, just as he returns balls on the court.
