Bettany said after shooting he had been very nervous

English actor Paul Bettany, one of the stars of the film A Beautiful Mind, is starring in the movie Wimbledon, due for release next year.

He appeared on centre court minutes ahead of the start of British player Tim Henman's second round match on Thursday.

"If you don't know of him yet, you soon will," explained one of the producers to the crowd as Bettany strode out onto centre court with his fictional opponent.

In the film, Bettany plays the British player Peter Colt, an unseeded player who enjoys an amazing run of victories.

The film also stars Kirsten Dunst, the love interest from recent blockbuster Spider-Man.

Match point

The crowd shouted, clapped and whistled, but the producer asked them to repeat the performance.

The scenes were repeated - twice - before Bettany and the actor playing his opponent filmed the match's victory scene.

A scoreboard showed Bettany's character Case on match point at 5-4 in the fifth set - but whether he wins the final will only be known when the film is released in September 2004.

Wimbledon on BBC Sport Online

Former players Pat Cash and John McEnroe make cameos in the film.

After filming Bettany said: "It was such a rush walking out on to the court. I was so nervous, like nothing I have ever experienced.

"The idea that people experience that and go out and play is extraordinary. The calm they must have ... my legs wanted to buckle."

In the film, Colt falls in love with an American star, Lizzie, played by Dunst.

The film is being produced by Working Title Films, which also produced Four Weddings and a Funeral, Bridget Jones's Diary and About a Boy.

It is being directed by Richard Loncraine, who made the 1995 film version of Shakespeare's Richard III, which starred Ian McKellen.