Game, Set, Zendaya: What Tennis Court Workouts Did the Actress Do to Prepare for “Challengers”?

Is it true that Zendaya has tennis skills? The celebrated actress is set to portray a former pro tennis player turned coach in her upcoming acting gig.

Zendaya as fictional tennis superstar Tashi Duncan in 'Challengers'

Zendaya, the versatile and talented actress, is known for her ability to sing, dance, act, and even perform her own stunts. In fact, she reportedly did most, if not all, of her own stunts in movies such as The Greatest Showman, Euphoria, and the upcoming sci-fi movie, Dune: Part Two. Now, she’s taking on a new challenge in a sports dramedy called Challengers, where she plays the role of Tashi Duncan-Donaldson, a tennis player-turned-coach. But can Zendaya actually play tennis or did she rely on a stunt double? Read on to find out how she prepared for the role.

Zendaya as fictional tennis superstar Tashi Duncan in 'Challengers'

According to director Luca Guadagnino, Zendaya is quite skilled at playing tennis. She underwent three months of rigorous training with former professional tennis player Brad Gilbert before filming for the movie, Challengers, began. Luca praised her abilities and mentioned that they didn’t even need to use her double in most scenes. People on social media have also been impressed with her forehand swing and overall commitment to the role of Tashi. While some have noticed that she doesn’t actually play tennis, they have still commended her movements and strokes. One fan even compared her forehand swing to that of Russian pro tennis player Daniil Medvedev.

Tashi is an Adidas ambassador in 'Challengers'

According to some people, Zendaya is not convincing enough as a tennis player. A Twitter user even went so far as to say that her tennis skills are terrible. They criticized her forehand and claimed that her Wii tennis windmill technique is not good for her shoulder. However, another person offered to help Zendaya develop a more sustainable swing if she meets them at Fort Greene courts. One Twitter user even pointed out that her gesture is too arched and that no real tennis player executes the hit in that way. Despite the criticisms, it’s safe to say that Zendaya could probably beat most of us at tennis.

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