Shia LaBeouf: Playing John McEnroe was 'quite cathartic'

Actor Shia LaBeouf said the experience of portraying tennis star

John McEnroe

on screen was 'quite cathartic' for him.


The 31-year-old actor features in drama 'Borg/McEnroe' with Sverrir Gudnason as Swedish tennis icon

Bjorn Borg

, which explores the rivalry between the two tennis legends in the '70s and '80s.

According to The sources,

LaBeouf

said, "It expressed something I feel deeply."

The actor was present at the world premiere of the film at a Film Festival in Toronto.

Calling him 'a tactician', LaBeouf said McEnroe has been misunderstood by critics.

"It's more complicated. He's a tactician. He added something different to the game. When he entered, it was a baseline game. He brought a touch and feel to the game," he said.

The actor referred to McEnroe's infamous court-side outbursts as the working style of an artiste.

"It's not just screaming rage. He used rage to throw people off. In that way, he's an artiste. It was very thought through, even though it's hard to explain," LaBeouf said.

'Borg/McEnroe' opened the film festival on September 7.