Tennis VIPs flock to 'Challengers' movie Hollywood premiere

It was a scene that could be described as prom night for the tennis community. The "Challengers" movie had its Hollywood premiere recently, and Zendaya was not the only big star walking the carpet. Tennis legends and VIPs were also spotted.

"Challengers" is a tennis-themed movie that Tracy Austin called realistic, and she was happy that it shined a light on the players that are not quite at the top of the game but working to get there. As Austin said, those players are very good, and the road is hard to make it to the top.

Austin is not the only Grand Slam champion who attended the premiere. Venus Williams was also there. One of Canada's most famous tennis players, Genie Bouchard, also walked the carpet. Tennis Channel's Steve Weissman who is accustomed to being in front of the camera interviewing tennis players and talking about the stars of the game was there too.

Zendaya reveals which tennis player she wants to meet

Brad Gilbert struck up a friendship with the film's star Zendaya when he was hired to consult with the movie's cast to teach them how to play tennis. Since then, Zendaya has become a fan of the sport and in addition to going to matches at Indian Wells and Monte Carlo, she joined Gilbert at a collegiate tennis match at his alma mater Pepperdine.

Zendaya met World No. 1 Iga Swiatek, but, surprisingly, has not met Coco Gauff. When asked who she wanted to meet but has not yet, Gauff was her top choice. The meeting should be easy to orchestrate given that Gilbert is one of Gauff's coaches. Gauff, who won her first clay court match of the year in Stuttgart on Wednesday, heard that Zendaya wants to meet her and is enthusiastic about making that happen.

Putting tennis into mainstream conversation by developing a movie about the sport featuring mega-star Zendaya will attract new fans after watching the movie.

Watch "Challengers" at your local theater beginning April 26 and share with us (@LobandSmashFS on X/Twitter) or on our Lob and Smash Facebook page what you think of it.

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