Wimbledon stars hit back at critics

Hitting back: Kirsten Dunst and Paul Bettany
11 April 2012
The Weekender

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Wimbledon stars Kirsten Dunst and Paul Bettany have hit back at critics of their game at the premiere of their new movie.

The film by UK outfit Working Title see struggling British player Peter Colt (Bettany) win a place in the tournament despite his low ranking of 157.

He falls for hotshot tennis star Lizzie Bradbury (Dunst) and at the same time catapults towards the final.

Some critics have described the tennis in the romantic comedy as farfetched and unrealistic.

But at the premiere last night, at the Odeon Leicester Square - which was attended by a real sports champion, double Olympic winner Kelly Holmes - the stars hit back.

Wearing a Chanel peach-coloured, jewel-encrusted, 1920s style dress, Spider-Man star Dunst said: "I didn't even know about that. I thought it looked really exciting and good but it doesn't really bother me. Everybody has their own opinion."

Talking about the crowd which had converged outside the London cinema Dunst, 22, said: "Nothing compares to Spider-Man. There were twice as many people there. That was overwhelming. But I always love coming to London. It's very exciting."

The Hollywood actress admitted that she had not picked up a racquet since making the film, which involved six hours of tennis a day.

London-born Bettany, 33, arrived with his American actress wife Jennifer Connelly.

Wearing a navy pinstripe suit, he admitted: "I was nervous about having to look like a tennis player.

"They hit the ball really hard, they move beautifully, their bodies are so well organised.

"It's like saying I'd like to play Rudolf Nureyev, how long do I have to do it?"
The Master and Commander star defended the tennis in the film, saying: "John McEnroe saw it and he was very pleased with it. The girl who won Wimbledon (Maria Sharapova) seemed to be very pleased with it as well. We did our best."
His wife, Connelly, added: "I think he's a fantastic actor. He works really hard."

Asked about the rigorous training schedule Connelly, wearing a wine-coloured Prada dress, said: "I gave birth to our son while he was filming so I don't know who had the harder days.

Also at the premier was young Harry Potter actress Emma Watson who plays Hermione. Wearing a white Chinese dress that she bought on her travels to the country, the 14-year-old said: "I really wanted to see the film. I love tennis."

Athlete Holmes swapped her trainers for black heels and a matching Roland Mouret dress at last night's event and added: "I had a little practice in these last night but I'm more comfortable in my trainers.

"It's absolutely amazing to come to a premiere and see everybody shouting my name. The support I have got is fantastic. It's just me doing the sport I've done for 12 years. I've been successful in my career. It's amazing the impact the Olympics has had on everybody else."

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