Celebrities you didn’t know played tennis

We often see celebrities attending tennis matches all over the world, and we’re not surprised; they love tennis just as much as we do. What can be surprising is finding out that some of our favourite stars aren’t just posing for the cameras, but also working on their backhands.

Kaley Cuoco

Before Kaley’s success on television, this Big Bang Theory star was a regionally ranked tennis player. She still plays for fun, at charity events or with her professional tennis player husband, Ryan Sweeting.

Ellen Degeneres

We all know her as a hilarious and animated talk-show host, but did you know that Ellen also plays tennis? Ellen played tennis on her high school varsity team, has played against Melanie Oudin on her show, and even refereed a match between Andre Agassi and Andy Roddick.

Will Ferrell

Funnyman, Will Ferrell, hosts an annual charity tennis tournament, Desert Smash. In its 11th year, this year’s tournament featured a match between Will and Canada’s Justin Bieber.

Tina Fey

Before she was a massive comedic star, Tina Fey was on the varsity tennis team at her high school in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania.

Cast members of Friends

In addition to being a dual American and Canadian citizen, Matthew Perry has had an avid interest in tennis. Growing up in Ottawa, Matthew practiced up to 10 hours a day, and became a top-ranked junior tennis player.

Courteney Cox uses tennis to stay fit, and also used to play avidly when she was a child.

Lisa Kudrow was a varsity level tennis player when she was in high school. Can you find her in this photo? (Hint she was brunette back then.)

Matthew McConaughey

True Detective star, Matthew McConaughey, was a true tennis player in his high school years. He keeps up the sport, as captured by some photos of him playing in Malibu a few years ago.

Lars Ulrich

Metallica drummer, Lars Ulrich, was a ranked tennis player in his home country of Denmark and is the son of tennis pro, Torben Ulrich. Lars moved to the US to train and play tennis, but ended up drumming and cofounding Metallica.

And now for a gratuitous shot of Ringo Starr playing tennis: