By Erik Gudris | @atntennis | Wednesday, June 21, 2023
The competitive world of professional tennis, including all the behind-the-scenes intrigue, gets the silver screen treatment in the upcoming sexy dramedy “Challengers.”
Starring two-time Emmy-award winner Zendaya (“Euphoria”) and helmed by the acclaimed director of “Call Me By Your Name” Luca Guadagnino, the first trailer of the film dropped this week.
The film follows Zendaya as Tashi, a former tennis player turned coach who turns her husband Art, played by Mike Faist, into a Grand Slam champion.
Yet when Art hits a losing streak, she signs him up for a Challenger-level event. That’s where they run into Patrick, played by Josh O’Connor from “The Crown”, who was Tashi’s former boyfriend and Art’s former best friend.
The film reveals that the trio, when younger, were involved in a love triangle that still resonates with them today.
To prepare for the role, all three actors worked with former player Brad Gilbert for three months to perfect their on-camera tennis skills.
Several current and former players commented online that Zendaya’s work to prepare for the role has paid off.
“Challengers” is scheduled for a September 15th date in theaters.
Photo Credit: MGM Studios