Lifelong tennis fan Matthew Perry attended the French Open 4 months before his premature death on Saturday.
The “Friends” star, who was found unresponsive at his Los Angeles home, made his final major public appearance on June 9 on the Stade Roland-Garros in Paris, where he watched the semifinals with a gaggle of friends.
Photos from the star-studded tournament capture the “Fools Rush In” star, 54, laughing and clapping along as he watched the players.
In 2002, the “17 Again” star told The Latest York Times that he had loved the game for the reason that age of 4 and would dedicate almost 10 hours a day to improving his own game.
By 13, Perry had turn into the No. 2 junior player in his hometown of Ottawa, Canada.
“I needed to succeed at whatever I used to be doing so I could feel higher about myself. I had this incredible drive on the tennis court, and that translated into acting,” Perry told the outlet.
Perry’s dreams of playing skilled tennis got here to a screeching halt within the early ’80s when “The Whole Nine Yards” star was utterly obliterated in a Los Angeles match.
“I got killed. He kicked my butt, this guy,” Perry told David Letterman in 1995. “My whole family, they type of put their head down, they usually were hoping I’d have some type of other profession selection.”
“I quickly realized being a nationally ranked tennis player in Canada is like being a very good hockey player in Burbank,” Perry laughed.
After giving up his dream of playing professionally, Perry decided to pursue acting.
“I noticed I wouldn’t be playing tennis for a living, so I went for acting. Are tennis and acting alike? I don’t know,” the “Serving Sara” star told Men’s Health in 2012. “They’re each very mental games. They’re each very heavy things to be an element of.”
Perry’s stepfather and “Dateline” host Keith Morrison, 76, recalled the star’s passion for the sport in 2020.
“He’s one among those individuals who at all times is the middle of the room for a reason and it was in order a child,” Morrison told People. “He was extremely, extremely good on the tennis court and really intense.”
“He’s an intense, talented, focused character,” he added. “He’s very shiny. That was at all times the case as he was growing up.”
Perry had taken up pickleball in recent times, reportedly playing a game mere hours before his death.
Tennis and pickleball weren’t Perry’s only passions.
“The Odd Couple” star was also a fan of the Ottawa Senators ice hockey team, which paid him tribute on Saturday.
“One among Ottawa’s proudest sons and the biggest hockey fan,” the hockey team wrote on X alongside a clip of Perry in a Senators jersey.
Perry was also honored by the Los Angeles Kings, which played the “Friends” theme song, “I’ll Be There for You” by the Rembrandts, during their game against the Las Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday.
On Sunday, Perry’s family issued a press release saying they’re “heartbroken by the tragic loss.”
“We’re heartbroken by the tragic lack of our beloved son and brother,” Perry’s family told People. “Matthew brought a lot joy to the world, each as an actor and a friend.”
“You all meant a lot to him and we appreciate the tremendous outpouring of affection,” the family added.
The official reason for the actor’s death has yet to be confirmed, pending toxicology tests — anti-depressant and anti-anxiety medications were found inside his Pacific Palisades home, TMZ reported, citing law enforcement sources.
