Billie Jean King Excited for Zendaya's 'Challengers' to Embody True Tennis Spirit

Billie Jean King Hopes Zendayas The Challengers Can Capture Authenticity of Good Tennis

Billie Jean King, Zendaya John Nacion/WireImage;Neil Mockford/Filmmagic/Getty Images(2)

Even in her 80s, Billie Jean King continues to be a strong supporter of tennis. As a 39-time Grand Slam champion and a vocal advocate for tennis, women, and LGBTQIA+ athletes, she shared her thoughts on Zendaya's upcoming movie, Challengers, expressing her hope that it accurately represents the sport.

King, 80, expressed her appreciation for tennis being featured in movies during an exclusive interview at the QVC Age of Possibility Summit on Wednesday, April 24. She mentioned her concern about whether the actors in sports movies, including tennis, look like real athletes when they play.

The QVC Age of Possibility Summit took place in Las Vegas and aimed to launch the brand's new platform, Age of Possibility. The event focused on empowering women over 50 from different backgrounds to embrace their identities. Notable figures such as Donna Kelce, Rita Wilson, and Kathie Lee Gifford joined King at the summit.

King isn’t questioning Zendaya's or her costars' acting skills, she just wants actors to portray the nuances of professional sports as if they were actual athletes. This applies to more than just tennis.

"I believe this is crucial in a film, and then, of course, you need to nail the other aspects," she explained. "Even sports like football or basketball, I pay attention to. I think, 'There needs to be a certain level of authenticity.'"

King believes that Zendaya, who is 27 years old, is more than capable for the role, expressing her confidence that Zendaya will excel in the movie. King also wished her good luck.

Reflecting on her own experiences, King shared at the summit how much progress sports have made since her playing days. She recalled a time when she was publicly outed and lost all her endorsements as a consequence.

"Everyone advised me against discussing my sexuality," she shared. "My PR team, my lawyer, everyone advised me not to. But I stood my ground and said, 'I'm being honest, too bad.' They warned me, 'It will damage your career,' to which I replied, 'I'm not bothered.'"

She also mentioned that nowadays, if an athlete were to come out, it wouldn't necessarily lead to them losing all their sponsorships. This is seen as a significant step forward for the LGBTQ+ community.

She concluded by emphasizing the importance of allowing everyone to live authentically, without imposing one's own beliefs on others. According to her, the problem arises when people try to make everyone conform to their own standards, disregarding the uniqueness of each individual.

Zendaya has been traveling the globe to promote her upcoming movie, Challengers, which is set to be released in theaters on Friday, April 26. In a recent interview with Variety, she shared that tennis serves as the setting for the film, but its message goes beyond the sport.

"It's a movie that involves tennis, but it's not your typical tennis movie," she explained. "There's a deeper meaning behind it. Tennis serves as a metaphor for larger themes like power and codependency. The characters are using tennis as a tool to address these issues. It's their way of communicating and resolving conflicts."

Reported by Rachel Smith.

Editor's P/S:

Billie Jean King's comments on Zendaya's upcoming movie, Challengers, highlight the importance of authenticity in sports films. King, a legendary tennis champion and advocate for equality, believes that actors portraying athletes should embody the nuances and athleticism of the sport. Her concern extends beyond tennis, emphasizing the need for realism in all sports movies. King's perspective aligns with the evolving landscape of sports, where athletes are increasingly open about their identities and embrace diversity. Her message underscores the significance of allowing individuals to live authentically and respecting their uniqueness.

King's reflections on her own experiences as a publicly outed athlete provide a poignant reminder of the progress made in LGBTQ+ representation. While she faced consequences for her honesty, today's athletes are more likely to find acceptance and support. King's unwavering stance, despite warnings of career damage, serves as an inspiration for others to embrace their true selves. Her words resonate with the growing recognition that authenticity and inclusivity are essential in both sports and society as a whole.