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Since his breakout role in Gangster No.1, Paul Bettany has become America's favourite import since Hugh Grant. After starring alongside Russell Crowe in both A Beautiful Mind and Master And Commander, Bettany now slips into the romantic comedy Wimbledon, and threatens to do better on the courts than Tim Henman ever has.

How did you take to acting as a tennis player? Do you play?

I've never played tennis once in my life. Never picked up a racquet. Four months into the shooting I went to Monte Carlo to shoot a sequence and I was watching professionals play - suddenly I realised how stupid I'd been. They move like dancers. It's sort of like: "I'd love to play Rudolf Nureyev, how long do I have to learn ballet?" So all you can really hope to do is to approximate it. I'm 6ft 3", and trying to be graceful is difficult.

After doing Dogville with Lars Von Trier, was this film a chance to kick back a little bit?

Yeah, well you think: It's a romantic comedy - kick back, relax and have some fun. But I probably prepared for this more than anything else I've ever done. I was training for six months. I'm in the best shape I've ever been in. I loathe it, though, because I ache all over. I can look at people with nice bodies now and know that they're in pain.

So how was the chemistry with your co-star Kirsten Dunst?

I don't think I believe in chemistry. I think it's a thing producers get very panicky about. I think if you're relaxed with somebody and like them and trust them, it's probably going to work. That's my feeling about it. She's really fun. I like funny people. She doesn't take life overly serious, which is a good thing.

You've got leading man status in a Working Title project - in Hugh Grant territory. Do you feel any pressure?

I don't feel pressure like that. I feel pressure about getting things right. My agent, I'm sure, has sleepless nights about it, but it's for marketing people to worry about. I can only do what I'm capable of. I'm trying to do my best by impersonating somebody who has played tennis since the age of four. You can only do your best. You just hope people forgive you and get swept along - it's all smoke and mirrors anyway.

Will this film be the only chance of seeing somebody British in a Wimbledon final?

I couldn't possibly say that without the fear of incriminating myself later on.

Wimbledon is released in UK cinemas on Friday 24th September 2004.