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Over the last few years, several tennis stars have walked onto a movie set after or during their reign over the world of tennis and featured in well-known cinematic pieces.
From John McEnroe and Chris Evert to Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams, here are 5 tennis players across the different eras of tennis who surprised audiences with unexpected cameos in movies.
#5 Andy Roddick
American tennis player Andy Roddick made a short cameo appearance in Adam Sandler and Jenifer Aniston starrer Just Go With It (2011) wherein he shares the screen alongside his wife - model and actress, Brooklyn Decker.
Roddick began dating Decker in 2007 and the couple married two years later in 2009 in the former World No.1's hometown, Texas. They have two kids together - Hank born in 2015 and Stevie in 2017.
He also appeared in an episode of Celebrity Family Feud and has donned the hat of a host on Saturday Night Live besides featuring in a few advertisements and music videos.
#4 Chris Evert
American former tennis player and 18-time Grand Slam champion Chris Evert is also one of the few tennis players to have featured on the big screen.
The former World No.1's filmography includes CBS' CSI, Seven Days In Hell' - a mockumentary about the historic match between John Isner and Nicolas Mahut in 2010. She also made cameos in Amy Schumer starrer comedy - Trainwreck (2015.), and the 2004 film, Wimbledon.
Drawing parallels between the world of tennis and cinema, Evert said in 2013 (via ESPN Front Row):
“If you flub up your lines, you can do it five times. In tennis, there’s no dress rehearsal. You play your match and that’s it."
#3 Maria Sharapova
Former World No.1 Maria Sharapova has appeared in numerous movies, series, and documentaries, most of which include her enacting herself.
Her most popular cameo took place in the famous trilogy - Ocean's 8, which starred prominent names from Hollywood such as Sandra Bullock, Anne Hathway, and Rihanna, among others.
While her brief appearance caught the attention of her fans who took to social media to express their amazement, Sharapova was unsure whether her scene would even be included in the movie.
During the 2018 Shenzhen Open, the former World No.1 talked about her experience of being a part of the film and said (via Sport 360):
“I think in the end you don’t know if your part will be actually in the movie. It was a really nice invitation. The director was very nice to work with and I was alongside very talented individuals so it just, it’s a different experience, it’s very different from what I do and I enjoy being part of those things."
#2 Serena Williams
Former World No.1 tennis player, Serena Williams is a 23-time Grand Slam champion, the second most number of titles to have been won by any tennis player in the Open Era. However, Williams' skills are not restricted to tennis as the American has made a fair share of appearances in various movies.
Williams made a cameo in the tennis film 7 Days in Hell and the 2015 action-comedy, Pixels. Additionally, like Sharapova, Williams too made an appearance in Ocean's 8.
She also gave a voiceover to shows like The Simpsons and Avatar and featured in the music video of Beyonce's song, Sorry.
#1 John McEnroe
American professional tennis player John McEnroe won seven major singles titles throughout his career and is the only men's player to simultaneously hold the No.1 ranking in both doubles and singles. However, despite his retirement, he has continued entertaining his fans with special appearances in movies.
In addition to his prowess on the tennis court, the American was known for his aggressive and confrontational on-court demeanor which often became the subject of his on-screen appearances exemplified by his cameo in Mr. Deeds (2002), wherein he yells at a fellow actor the way he used to yell at the umpire on court.
Additionally, he also made a cameo in the mockumentary, 7 Days in Hell, and featured in other films like Anger Management(2003), Jack and Jill(2011), Wimbledon(2004), and Curb Your Enthusiasm(2007).
McEnroe was also the narrator of the American teen series Never Have I Ever (2020-2023) in which he also made a cameo.
