Dan Hitchens

Tennis romance that doesn’t contain much tennis: Challengers reviewed

Vortex of jealousy, betrayal and somewhat repetitive sexual intrigue – but Zendaya isn't bad

Josh O’Connor as spoilt-but-rogueish Patrick Zweig in Challengers  
issue 27 April 2024
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  • Challengers

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It sounds straightforward enough: a tennis romance starring Zendaya, idol of the mid-teen demographic and last seen riding a sandworm in Dune: Part Two. She plays Tashi Duncan, a junior player tipped for greatness, who finds herself in a love triangle with two other juniors: spoilt-but-roguish Patrick (Josh O’Connor) and nice-but-needy Art (Mike Faist).

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