Italian director Luca Guadagnino is well known for his sensual depictions of complex romantic relationships and has brought his distinctive brand of emotional messiness to the tennis court for his latest feature. Challengers revolves around player-turned-mentor Tashi Duncan (Zendaya) who, after being forced to retire early through injury, now coaches her husband Art (Mike Faist) on the circuit. Following a string of confidence-knocking defeats, she enters him into a lower-tier tournament to get his career back on track. Tensions run high when he is drawn against his old friend and doubles partner Patrick (Josh O’Connor), and the film then takes us back in time to explore the chequered history between the three main characters.

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