`I CONNECTED WITH RICKY NELSON'S SPIRIT THROUGH TENNIS'

`I CONNECTED WITH RICKY NELSON'S SPIRIT THROUGH TENNIS'

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (Wireless Flash) -- Although '50s teen idol Ricky Nelson was best known as a singer, the actor who plays him in an upcoming TV movie says he connected with the actor's essence through tennis. Gregory Calpakis -- who plays Nelson in the VH-1 flick "Ricky Nelson: Original Teen Idol" -- says before he was cast, he didn't know much about the teen idol except that he fathered the twins in the boy band Nelson. However, he claims he was able to understand Ricky's essence after he saw film footage of Ricky on the tennis court and discovered they both had similar backhands. Although playing tennis seems like a bizarre way to prepare for a singing role, Calpakis claims there were times when he would be playing and suddenly get insights into Ricky's personality. He's not sure if Ricky was trying to contact him but he's not ruling it out entirely. "Ricky Nelson: Original Teen Idol" premieres this Sunday night on VH-1.