“Perfect Match” tells the fairy-tale love story of Steffi Graf and Andre Agassi, portrayed by perfectly cast actors.
“The following film, its events, and characters are fictional. But it could have happened just like this.” This on-screen text sets the stage for “Perfect Match,” the Hollywood-ready romance between Steffi Graf, 55, and Andre Agassi, 54. For anyone interested in the film, available on Prime Video starting June 29, they know from the first second what to expect – and what not.
Steffi Graf and Andre Agassi: The US playboy and the “German robot”
The rising tennis stars Steffi Graf (played by Lena Klenke, 28) and Andre Agassi (played by Toby Sebastian, 32) could hardly be more different. He, an extroverted, flamboyant playboy, known for his (supposedly) long mane and occasional escapades. She, a calm, (supposedly) humorless professional, jokingly labeled as the “German robot” at one point in the film.
Yet, despite their initial incompatibility, the two are not so different after all. Both driven by overbearing, ambitious fathers, their passion for tennis is put to the test. While the ever-active Andre secretly longs for stability and true love in his life, the dutiful Steffi increasingly rebels against her old man. In short, they are like the yin and yang of the tennis world, incomplete without each other.
Real milestones intertwined with fiction
Living (and loving) in the public eye inevitably brings much of their private lives into the spotlight. Especially for Agassi, who published a highly candid autobiography, “Open,” in 2009. Therefore, the creators of “Perfect Match” had a rich source of insights beyond the tennis court to craft their love story.
However, they chose to embellish real events with plenty of fiction. For instance, depicting Steffi Graf’s outraged visit to her father (played by Michael Kessler, 57), who is imprisoned for tax evasion, finally emancipating herself from him. The fathers of the main characters also serve as clear antagonists in the film, consumed by ambition and repeatedly making their children’s lives hell.
A powerful duo
Where the series “Pam & Tommy” dramatized for shock and obscenity, “Perfect Match” mostly uses fiction to create a fairy-tale-like sentiment. Even though the film’s most emotional scene likely didn’t happen exactly as portrayed, it adeptly captures the intimacy between the two: the moment when Agassi removes his wig after a fun match with Graf, revealing his true self – and she thanks him for his trust.
“Perfect Match” hit the mark with its lead actors. Visually, Klenke and especially Sebastian closely resemble their real-life counterparts. Klenke skillfully mimics Graf’s mischievous, dry, and witty humor. The chemistry between them is also palpable – otherwise, the film would have been an unnecessary double fault.
Conclusion: Vehicle for an incredible love story
Tennis isn’t the main focus of “Perfect Match.” While “Borg/McEnroe” focused on their toxic rivalry and “Battle of the Sexes” on the titular battle between man and woman, tennis in “Perfect Match” serves as a vehicle for an incredible love story – and that, despite the fiction woven into the film, is indeed its essence.
