Andrea Di Stefano's 'My Tennis Maestro', a coming-of-age comedy set in early 1980s Italy, fails to deliver the spark of recent tennis hits like 'Challengers' and 'King Richard'. Despite a robust lead performance from Pierfrancesco Favino, the film runs aground in the third act, unable to decide between a traditional underdog sports story and a repudiation of the win-at-all-costs ethic.
The plot follows 13-year-old Felice (Tiziano Menichelli), a tennis prodigy schooled by his father in the lower 'regionals' competition, emulating Ivan Lendl's baseline play. His father hires a professional coach, Raul 'the Cat' Gatti (Favino), a charming but unreliable former player who peaked at the last 16 of a major tournament before succumbing to booze and womanising. Raul, recovering from a breakdown, encourages Felice to idolise the flamboyant Guillermo Vilas instead of Lendl.
As Felice struggles in the national under-16 tour, the film drags without resolution. Neither Felice wins matches nor gains wisdom, nor does Raul confront his demons, which prove more serious than hinted. The movie's indecisiveness and a misjudged final wink to the camera undermine its potential. Di Stefano hints the story is inspired by his own life, but real-life messiness fails to fit a satisfying narrative.
