Serena Williams Applauds Zendaya's Tennis Skills in 'Challengers'

Serena Williams approved of Zendaya's tennis skills, giving the Challengers star her stamp of approval. Zendaya, 27, shared in an interview with Entertainment Tonight that Serena mentioned how impressive it was, especially since Zendaya had never played tennis before.

Zendaya mentioned that Serena Williams, aged 42, recognized the magic of filmmaking during the movie. "She mentioned, 'I could tell those [tennis] balls weren't real,'" Zendaya shared. "She's amazing at what she does."

Even though Serena praised Zendaya's performance, the actress mentioned that she hadn't had the chance to speak with Venus Williams about the film. Zendaya expressed hope that Venus, aged 43, would also appreciate her portrayal.

Zendaya was starstruck when Venus appeared at the Los Angeles premiere of Challengers. She admitted, "I heard that she came and I was like, ‘No way, this is the coolest thing!’ So I’m very nervous ’cause I know Serena has seen the movie but I’m very nervous about her seeing my tennis," as she told Entertainment Tonight in an interview published on Thursday, April 18.

During her press tour for Challengers, Zendaya paid tribute to the tennis greats by recreating their looks from an iconic 1998 Vogue shoot.

In the spread, Serena and Venus were seen wearing matching black-and-white Carolina Herrera gowns, along with white beads in their hair, a style they were known for in the early days of their careers. Zendaya also looked stunning in the same Carolina Herrera dress and beaded wig by Kim Kimble.

Challengers follows the story of Tashi Duncan (Zendaya), who finds herself in a love triangle with her ex-boyfriend Patrick Zweig (Josh O'Connor) and her husband Art Donaldson (Mike Faist). After Tashi gets injured, she focuses on helping Art become a Grand Slam champion and enters him into a "Challenger" event where he competes against Patrick.

Zendaya reportedly underwent months of training before filming Challengers. Director Luca Guadagnino praised her performance, stating, "She's wonderful. We edited the movie and hardly used any of her double because she's so good."

In an interview with Elle in August 2023, Zendaya expressed her excitement for taking on more mature roles, such as her character Tashi in Challengers. She shared, "From a character perspective, I want to find roles that will challenge me. As I grow older, I understand that I can't play a teenager forever."

Challengers hits theaters on Friday, April 26.

Editor's P/S:

Serena Williams's recognition of Zendaya's tennis skills in the film "Challengers" highlights the actress's dedication and talent. Despite not having prior tennis experience, Zendaya's performance impressed Williams, a legendary figure in the sport. This testament to Zendaya's skill is a testament to her commitment to her craft and her ability to authentically portray a character.

Zendaya's desire to receive Venus Williams's approval further underscores her respect for the Williams sisters and their contributions to tennis. The actress's recreation of their iconic 1998 Vogue shoot pays homage to their legacy and demonstrates her understanding of the significance of their presence in the sport. Zendaya's journey in "Challengers" not only showcases her acting abilities but also reflects her appreciation for the sport and its icons.