Synopsis

A fading British tennis professional receives a wildcard entry to Wimbledon, intending to retire after one final appearance. His plans change when he falls for an ambitious American player competing at the same tournament. Energized by their romance and a renewed belief in himself, he begins an improbable run through the championships while she confronts the pressures surrounding her own rising career.

Factoids & Trivia

• Scenes were filmed during the 2003 Wimbledon Championships, with real officials and spectators appearing in the backgrounds. The production was reportedly the first film permitted to stage action on the tournament grounds during the event.

• The stars performed their own serves with real tennis balls, but most of the other tennis action was enhanced digitally. Visual-effects company MPC completed approximately 230 effects shots for the film.

• Australian Wimbledon champion Pat Cash served as the production's tennis adviser, helping the filmmakers shape the court action and coach the performers.

• The filmmakers found that making the actors look convincing during professional-level rallies was difficult. Instead of relying entirely on their performances, they digitally added tennis balls to many of the longer exchanges.

• The scenes depicting crowds queuing outside Wimbledon were filmed at London Zoo. The location was chosen because its surroundings offered a more visually interesting setting than a conventional line outside the tennis grounds.

• The film was produced by Working Title Films in association with Universal Pictures and StudioCanal, continuing Working Title's tradition of combining British settings with broadly accessible romantic comedy.