TIFF 2017: Playing John McEnroe was 'quite cathartic', says Shia LaBeouf

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 Hollywood Reporter, LaBeouf said, "It expressed something I feel deeply."

The actor was present at the world premiere of the film at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).

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 TIFF on September 7.