Tennis draws some of the world’s biggest names to its many stadiums, given the prestige and entertainment that come with watching the sport.
However, while some merely use it as an excuse for a day out, others have a genuine love and passion for it.
Ben Stiller typifies the latter.
The American actor, famous for films such as Zoolander, Night at the Museum and Madagascar, has been an unapologetic fan of tennis who has relentlessly shown up to some of the biggest tournaments.
Normally, if an event is held in America and he is available, you’ll see the 60-year-old in attendance.
However, in 2013, he was actually playing, rather than watching.
Ben Stiller recalls when he played tennis with Rafael Nadal
Speaking in 2022, he recalled the moment when Rafael Nadal actually pulled him from the crowd onto the court.
Stiller stated: “I got to know [Nadal] a little bit about 7 or 8 years ago.
“He invited me a few years back to see an exhibition match at Madison Square Garden which was really exciting.
“We got to sit in the front row. It was him and Juan Martin Del Potro another amazing Argentinian player. And about halfway through the match, Nadal stops and he goes ‘Wait, should we make it doubles?
“It’s like a dream come true to be in Madison Square Garden and people start cheering and it’s also this nightmare that’s happening simultaneously, because I realise I really don’t play tennis.”
However, forced to play against Juan Martin del Potro and his eight-year-old partner, also drawn from the crowd, Stiller admitted: “Immediately I just died inside because I knew there was no way to get out of this thing. Because if I hit a winner on the eight-year-old girl everybody hates me and I don’t have enough skill to hold it back because I’m all or nothing.”
When Nick Kyrgios used Ben Stiller to silence rowdy fan in 2022
This is not the only time a player has interacted with an onlooking Stiller.
In fact, Nick Kyrgios’ outburst back in 2022 arguably remains the most iconic example, given how often the clip gets recycled on social media.
As the Australian faced Nadal in the quarter-finals of Indian Wells, one fan shouted out during a serve.
Kyrgios’ reply was quick and hilarious, questioning as he gestured to Stiller in the front row: “Do I tell him how to act?”
This brought about a laugh from the crowd, although he would go on to lose that showdown with Nadal.
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