Challengers is “a sexy comedy on tennis”, according to Guadangnino, which is set against the backdrop of the lowest rungs of men’s professional tennis: the ATP Challenger Tour.
Zendaya plays Tashi Donaldson, whose husband Art—played by Mike Faist—falls into a disappointing losing streak. As Tashi trains Art back into world-beating form, she signs him up for a few Challenger events—where they run into Art’s former best friend and Tashi’s ex, Patrick, played by Josh O’Connor.
“All of them, they spent like three months working very hard,” Guadagnino said. “Everybody… technically, athletically.”
“Brad Gilbert has been a wonderful consultant for this,” he revealed.