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Zendaya on the Trick Behind Her ‘Challengers’ Tennis Moves and Taking Charge of Her Career: ‘There’s No Lip Service When You Have the Producer Title’


Zendaya discusses representation for Black athletes, learning to play tennis and what she learned from being a producer on 'Challengers.'

Zendaya leads the film as Tashi Duncan, an 18-year-old tennis prodigy on her way to Serena Williams-like stardom until she injures her knee and loses her shot at a pro career. Over the course of 13 years, she continues to find herself ensnared in a psychosexual relationship with the sport and two other players, Art Donaldson (Mike Faist) and Patrick Zweig (Josh O’Connor). As part of Variety ‘s “Challengers” cover story — which was also delayed to align with the film’s release and chronicles the drama’s long journey to theaters — Zendaya spoke about mastering her tennis scream, playing a Black athlete surrounded by white players and how becoming a producer has reinforced her dreams to direct one day.

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