Billie Jean King, the legendary tennis champion and advocate for tennis, women, and LGBTQIA+ athletes, recently shared her thoughts on Zendaya's upcoming movie, Challengers. King expressed her hope that the film would do justice to the game of tennis, emphasizing the importance of actors looking like athletes when portraying sports roles.
Speaking at the QVC Age of Possibility Summit, King highlighted the significance of authenticity in sports movies, regardless of the sport being depicted. She praised Zendaya's acting abilities and wished her luck in the movie, confident that the actress would deliver a compelling performance.
The summit, which aimed to empower women over 50, featured prominent figures such as Donna Kelce, Rita Wilson, and Kathie Lee Gifford. King took the opportunity to reflect on the progress made in sports since her playing days, recalling the challenges she faced when publicly discussing her sexuality.
King emphasized the importance of individuals leading authentic lives and embracing diversity, noting the evolution in societal acceptance compared to her own experiences. She encouraged people to honor each other's differences and celebrate individuality.
As Challengers prepares for its theatrical release, Zendaya has been actively promoting the film, which she also co-produced. In an interview, Zendaya described the movie as more than just a tennis film, highlighting its deeper themes of power and codependency.
With tennis serving as a metaphor for broader concepts within the movie, Zendaya expressed that the sport was a vehicle for characters to explore complex emotions and relationships.
