Actress Zendaya has recently disclosed her rigorous preparations for the tennis scenes featured in the upcoming film ‘Challengers,’ in which she assumes the lead role. Despite lacking any prior experience in tennis, Zendaya dedicated herself to mastering the sport in order to authentically portray a professional tennis player on screen.
At a press conference for the movie, Zendaya confessed to having limited knowledge about tennis prior to taking on the role. Her training process, she describes, resembled that of a six-week summer camp. She worked alongside former professional tennis player Brad Gilbert, whom she praised as “incredible” and “iconic.” Gilbert was enlisted to assist Zendaya and her fellow cast members in acclimating to the demands of the sport.
Prior to her involvement in ‘Challengers,’ Zendaya’s exposure to tennis was primarily limited to Venus and Serena Williams. Evidently inspired by the Williams sisters, Zendaya recently paid homage to them in a photoshoot by recreating their 1998 Vogue cover in matching Carolina Herrera gowns. As she delved deeper into the sport, she also expressed her desire to meet rising tennis star Coco Gauff.
For Zendaya, learning tennis from scratch to fulfill the role of a professional tennis player proved to be a formidable challenge. She openly admitted to the frustrating nature of the experience, particularly in terms of struggling to find consistency and improve her skills. One hurdle, in particular, involved adapting to hitting real serves, as opposed to the softballs she had previously practiced with. The dramatic increase in speed rendered it difficult for her to even see the ball, let alone return it.
Despite encountering multiple difficulties during her training, Zendaya expressed a newfound appreciation for the rigorous training and unwavering dedication that professional tennis players exhibit. Her training experience not only provided her with a practical knowledge of the mental and physical discipline required to excel in the sport, but also allowed her to develop a mutual respect with Brad Gilbert, who shares her Oakland roots. He drew parallels between acting and tennis, drawing attention to the shared dedication and focus necessary for both pursuits.
With ‘Challengers’ scheduled to be released in cinemas on April 26, audiences will imminently be able to witness Zendaya’s impressive transformation into a tennis player. Early reviews have already hinted at the film’s quality, lauding its depiction of a love triangle and the challenges faced by aspiring professional tennis players.
Zendaya’s arduous journey in preparing for her role in ‘Challengers’ stands as a testament to her unwavering dedication as an actress and her readiness to embrace new challenges. Her commitment to authentically portraying a tennis player on screen demonstrates the significant effort and perseverance required to deliver an immersive performance.