Zendaya Shares Serena Williams’ Reaction To ‘Challengers’

Zendaya shares Serena Williams’ reaction to her latest film. The actress revealed the tennis legend had an honest yet satisfactory response to Challengers, a fictional story with the sport at its center. Speaking with ET, the 27-year-old revealed whether or not the movie had the athletic icon’s approval.

“She was like, ‘I know there definitely weren’t real [tennis] balls,” detailed the Euphoria star. “She knows. She’s the best of the best.”

She continued to explain, “She did say that it was great considering that I had never, never touched a tennis ball before.”

Directed by Luca Guadagnino and written by Justin Kuritzkes, Zendaya stars alongside Josh O’Connor and Mike Faist.

“I felt like it was a good step into a more, I guess you could say, ‘grown-up’ role and into that next phase,” relayed Zendaya last year. “It was a little bit scary to take on, which I think is a good feeling. To be like, ‘Ooh, can I do this?’ You could run from that feeling and stay safe and comfortable, or you can go, ‘You know what, f**k it.’”

She continued, “What was important to me was that she was unapologetic about it. Sometimes characters who are messy and conflicted and wield power over other people are reserved for [actors] who don’t look like me, so when I get an opportunity to play a character like that, I’ma take it!” the Golden Globe winner expressed.

Challengers is due in theaters on Friday (April 26). The official synopsis reads as follows:

“From visionary filmmaker Luca Guadagnino, Challengers stars Zendaya as Tashi Duncan, a former tennis prodigy turned coach and a force of nature who makes no apologies for her game on and off the court. Married to a champion on a losing streak (Mike Faist – West Side Story), Tashi’s strategy for her husband’s redemption takes a surprising turn when he must face off against the washed-up Patrick (Josh O’Connor – The Crown) – his former best friend and Tashi’s former boyfriend. As their pasts and presents collide, and tensions run high, Tashi must ask herself, what will it cost to win.“

Watch the trailer below.

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