Zendaya reveals how icon Serena Williams reacted to seeing her new tennis-themed film Challengers
Zendaya shared how tennis icon Serena Williams reacted after seeing her new movie Challengers, in which she plays a tennis player turned coach.
The 27-year-old actress – whose boyfriend is fellow actor Tom Holland – opened up AND: ‘She said, ‘I know it definitely wasn’t real [tennis] balls.”
The silver screen siren added, “She knows. She’s the best of the best.’
Zendaya added that the sports legend, 42, also gave her props for her skills on the court.
“She did say it was great since I had never touched a tennis ball before,” the Euphoria star noted.
Zendaya shared how tennis icon Serena Williams reacted after seeing her new movie Challengers, in which she plays a tennis player turned coach; the actress pictured in LA this month
The 27-year-old actress told ET about Serena’s reaction: “She said, ‘I know there’s definitely no real [tennis] balls”‘
In addition to Zendaya, Challengers also stars Mike Faist and Josh O’Connor
The upcoming film, which will be released on April 26, is directed by Luca Guadagnino.
It features Zendaya playing a fallen tennis star who gives up her career after a serious injury and becomes a coach instead.
Zendaya said she was “nervous” for Serena’s older sister Venus Williams – who was also a force in the tennis world – to see the film.
‘I heard she was coming [to the premiere] and I was like, “No way, this is the coolest thing!”
“So I’m very nervous because I know Serena has seen the movie, but I’m very nervous about it [Venus] see my tennis.’
It comes after the superstar paid tribute to the sisters in a new photoshoot for Vogue.
Zendaya, full name Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman, wore the same white beaded braids and flowing black and white Carolina Herrera dress donned by both Venus and Serena for their first-ever Vogue shoot.
The 1998 cover was taken by renowned photographer Annie Leibovitz.
Zendaya paid tribute to tennis champions Venus and Serena’s 1998 Vogue cover shot by Annie Leibovitz as she promoted her new film this week
Serena and Venus Williams pictured at the 1998 US Open with their striking beaded braids
Venus reshared the Zendaya portraits with her 2 million Instagram followers, writing, “My heart melted at this one. Iconic @zendaya’
The eye-catching recreation caps off the Challengers’ weeklong press tour, which saw Zendaya hit the red carpet in a slew of tennis-themed looks.
‘An ode to the GREATS @venuswilliams @serenawilliams We thank you for everything you have done! With Love, Z and Law,” Zendaya’s longtime stylist and friend Law Roach captioned a social media post on Thursday.
He also thanked Carolina Herrera creative director Wes Gordon for “helping create this iconic look.”
Venus, 43, appeared in the comments section of the post and wrote, “Wow. No words! So much love for you.’
She later re-shared the portraits with her two million Instagram followers, writing: ‘My heart melted at this one. Iconic @zendaya.’