Tennis seems to be increasingly entering the mainstream.
Tennis pieces have made their way back into fashionable wardrobes at the same time the sport is the subject of a growing number of films, documentaries and books.
Barely a major tennis tournament goes by without a bevy of notable personalities in the crowd, while the cross-over star power of many players attracts new fans to the game.
We love the sport, and it seems plenty of celebrities do too.
Here are 10 of the biggest celerity tennis fans.
1. Zendaya
Starring in the hit tennis-themed movie Challengers, the American actress admitted her connection with the sport was limited prior to filming.
“I didn’t know anything about tennis, to be honest. So I just threw myself in there,” she told Variety. “I’ve pretty much seen every video, every match that’s online, every compilation, every interview. It became my thing.”
She worked with former world No.4 Brad Gilbert – the current coach of Coco Gauff – to get herself ready for the film and has been a regular presence on the tour in 2024, attending Indian Wells, Monte Carlo and Wimbledon.
PODCAST: The Sit-Down with Brad Gilbert
She is also an ambassador for On Running, a company in which Roger Federer has a stake, and appeared alongside the Swiss superstar in a memorable brand ad.
2. Matthew McConaughey
The American film star posts a lot about sport on social media, but tennis is catching his eye – courtesy of countryman Tommy Paul.
Paul’s excellent form in 2024 has prompted congratulatory posts on X (formerly Twitter) from McConaughey, who also appeared in Novak Djokovic’s entourage during the 2023 US Open.
In a separate X post, McConaughey simply declared: “Love this game”.
love this game pic.twitter.com/8bJDlwm1EI
— Matthew McConaughey (@McConaughey) April 18, 2024
3. Rebel Wilson
She’s a self-described ‘tennis tragic’ and in recent years, Rebel Wilson has been connected with the sport in myriad ways.
The Australian actress attended the Australian Open and US Open, as well as other events on home soil including the United Cup and Sydney International.
With the introduction of electronic line-calling at the AO, Wilson lent her voice to recording calls of ‘out’, ‘fault’ and ‘foot fault’, to simulate the calls of linespeople.
MORE: Rebel Wilson and community heroes call the lines at AO 2022
She’s taken tennis lessons with Australian legend Todd Woodbridge, spoke at the Australian Open Inspirational Series Lunch of 2020, and even alluded to a “situation-ship” with a female tennis pro in her memoir Rebel Rising.
4. Lil Wayne
The American rapper was spotted taking in the action at the 2023 US Open, but his tennis credentials went up a notch when he declared himself an unabashed fan of Jelena Ostapenko.
The Latvian star, the Roland Garros champion in 2017, said that her highlight of a Drake concert in Miami was actually when Lil Wayne appeared. And he returned the compliments, posting about Ostapenko on Instagram as she powered her way into the Wimbledon quarterfinals.
“He has been messaging me, as well. He told me he's my huge fan, so that's really nice,” Ostapenko revealed.
5. Catherine, Princess of Wales
At that same Wimbledon event, the Princess of Wales made her first public appearance in a month to present the trophy to men’s champion Carlos Alcaraz.
It was heartwarming to see her return to an event she loves, after her cancer diagnosis was revealed in March.
Catherine is the patron of The All England Club – where the Wimbledon championships are held – and also Britain’s Lawn Tennis Association, and has taken part in clinics through the LTA Youth program, one alongside Emma Raducanu.
She also hit with Roger Federer at the All England Club ahead of 2023 Wimbledon, impressing the eight-time champion with her technique and ball-striking.
6. Ben Stiller
More than 20 years ago, Stiller presented Serena Williams with an ESPY award for Best Female Tennis Player. And in the time since he’s been a presence at tennis events around the world.
The American actor and wife Christine Taylor, also an actor, are regularly spotted at the US Open and have also attended Wimbledon, Roland Garros, Indian Wells and Rome.
Stiller has a friendship with Rafael Nadal and regularly watches the Spanish legend’s matches.
“I do play a lot,” he told usopen.org in 2022. “I love playing. I started later in life. I'm not really into people actually watching me play … but for fun and just in terms of just being able to have a release in life, it's so much fun.”
7. Pink
Pink attended Wimbledon earlier this month, meeting women’s finalist Jasmine Paolini and also congratulating eventual champion Barbora Krejcikova.
The American singer was also a striking presence at the Desert Smash charity event on the eve of the 2023 Indian Wells tournament, alongside tennis pros including former world No.1 Victoria Azarenka.
8. Steve Carrell
Steve Carrell’s connection to tennis intensified when he starred as Bobby Riggs in The Battle of the Sexes, a movie depicting the story of Billie Jean King’s landmark exhibition victory in 1973.
And he was a notable guest at Wimbledon this year, touring the grounds with Laura Robson and meeting world No.1 Iga Swiatek.
Like Lil Wayne, it also turns out that Jelena Ostapenko is one of his favourites.
9. Anna Wintour
Vogue editor Anna Wintour simply loves tennis.
The British style icon is a regular at the US Open, has also attended the Australian Open, Wimbledon and Miami, and is friends with several tennis superstars including Roger Federer, Serena Williams and Novak Djokovic.
Several tennis players have graced the cover of Vogue and have also featured prominently at the Met Gala, at which Wintour is an enduring co-chair.
She takes lessons and plays, although, according to a 2019 Guardian interview, not as often as she used to.
10. Russell Crowe
Actor Russell Crowe was courtside in 2022 to watch Ash Barty become the first local singles champion at the Australian Open in 44 years.
He returned to take in the action again in 2023, both times alongside partner Britney Theriot. He has also been spotted at Wimbledon.
Crowe and Theriot also regularly play tennis together.
