Alright, so “movie star” may be a bit strong, but some of our favorite pros have taken time out of their busy tennis schedules to head out to Los Angeles and make cameos and even take on casted roles on the big screen. Interestingly enough, Adam Sandler seems to be the main instigator for this transition of players from athletes into actors, persuading a multitude of different tennis professionals to appear in his comedies. So, which of our favorite American tennis stars have turned into movie stars?
John McEnroe
John McEnroe is a seasoned veteran when it comes to being on screen. After retiring from tennis, he has appeared in a myriad of different tv shows and movies. He has been in hit shows such as Frasier, 30 Rock, and Curb Your Enthusiasm and multiple movies such as Anger Management (too fitting), Mr. Deeds, Wimbledon, and You Don’t Mess With the Zohan. With that resume, I’m guessing he’s pretty good friends with Sandler. Just recently, he stole the show in the HBO mockumentary 7 Days In Hell about a marathon match lasting 7 days. So, in case you don’t get enough McEnroe from his tournament commentary, you can find him in basically any comedy, especially if Adam Sandler is involved.
Serena Williams
Serena has found a little time away from her dominance on the WTA circuit to make some appearances in the movies. She played herself along side McEnroe in 7 Days in Hell as part of Andy Samburg’s character Aaron Williams’s adopted family. She is also casted as herself in the blockbuster Pixels, a movie revolving around the global attack of video game characters. Surprise, it’s another Adam Sandler flick!
Andy Roddick
Andy Roddick appeared at the end of Adam Sandler’s comedy Just Go With It. His wife Brooklyn Decker plays Adam Sandler’s much younger girlfriend in the comedy. After Sandler and Aniston’s characters get together in the end, Decker’s character boards a plane only to come across Roddick, cast as a “Good Looking Guy on the Plane” who is just “some tennis player.” Naturally the two of them instantly hit it off, and we can only assume it’s happily ever after for the two of them in the film as it seems to be in real life.
Chris Evert
Chris Evert is the only one on my list to have evaded an Adam Sandler film so far. She is making her comedy debut in other ways. She joined McEnroe and Serena in 7 Days in Hell, adding her own commentary sass into the mix. She is also appearing in Judd Apatow and Amy Schumer’s new comedy Trainwreck which just premiered a few days ago.
