When it comes to portraying athletes on screen, the devil is in the details — or in the case of the film Challengers, in the dedication of its stars to authentically embody professional tennis players. This deep dive explores the rigorous training regimen undertaken by Zendaya, Josh O’Connor, and Mike Faist under the guidance of renowned tennis coach Brad Gilbert.
Training Stars to Swing Like Pros
The journey to transform Zendaya and her co-stars into believable tennis players was as intense as it was transformative. The film’s premise revolves around a fiery love triangle set against the backdrop of high-stakes tennis tournaments, demanding not just emotional depth from the actors but also a convincing athletic presence.
Brad Gilbert, a former professional tennis player and coach of several tennis elites, was tapped to translate real-world sports prowess onto the silver screen. Over a grueling three-month period, the actors underwent a rigorous training schedule that resembled an athlete’s pre-season camp more than a typical film preparation.
Building Physical and Mental Stamina
For Zendaya, embodying Tashi Duncan meant more than just perfecting a forehand. Known for her commitment to role preparation, she approached her physical transformation with a mix of strength training and detailed tennis drills. The goal was not just to play a tennis player but to become indistinguishable from one, even under the scrutiny of tennis aficionados.
Mike Faist and Josh O’Connor also faced their own challenges, with Faist needing to bulk up considerably to portray his character’s physicality and O’Connor, arriving straight from another film set, having to rapidly adapt to the physically demanding training regimen.
From Practice to Perfection
The trio’s dedication went beyond physical transformation. Hours of watching match tapes, practicing swings, and mastering the mental game were all part of their daily routine. This immersive preparation ensured that every serve and volley seen on screen held up to both cinematic and athletic scrutiny.
The authenticity of their performances is a testament to their hard work and Gilbert’s coaching prowess. Gilbert’s role extended from merely instructing to ensuring that each actor’s movements mirrored the professional techniques required to convincingly portray top-tier tennis players.
Digital Enhancements and Real Skills
While some digital enhancements were inevitably used for the final production, the actors’ real skills were front and center. Zendaya, for example, learned to channel her dance background into mastering the choreography of tennis, which added a layer of authenticity to her portrayal that special effects alone could not achieve.
The end result is a seamless blend of performance and reality, where the actors’ hard-earned skills enhance the dramatic tension of Challengers and anchor the film’s credibility.