“Tennis is having its pop culture moment,” Andy Roddick hails Zendaya on picking up a movie like Challengers and making it No.1 in USA

The film has so far grossed over $30 million worldwide.

“Tennis is having its pop culture moment,” Andy Roddick hails Zendaya on picking up a movie like Challengers and making it No.1 in USA

Andy Roddick and Zendaya (Via Imago)

American tennis legend Andy Roddick has praised actress and tennis enthusiast Zendaya for her performance in the recently released film “Challengers.” The movie, which centers around tennis, has quickly risen to the top spot in the USA since its debut.

“Challengers” has received mixed reviews, but its focus on themes like relationships, power, love, and athleticism has garnered attention. The movie follows three characters: Tashi Duncan (played by Zendaya), a tennis star sidelined by injury, her husband Art Donaldson (portrayed by Mike Faist), a Grand Slam winner, and Patrick (played by Josh O’Connor), another tennis player.

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At the backdrop of this movie, former US Open champion Roddick also praised Zendaya for her involvement in tennis-themed projects and acknowledged how the sport has become a significant part of popular culture.

I think tennis having a pop culture moment, there's all the documentaries on Netflix, and there are tennis projects that have been yet to be announced that are gonna be signed off on major major streamers. It's great that someone like Zendaya is interested in tennis line to take on the role in Challenger which has gone to be the No.1 movie in the country.
Andy Roddick said via Served with Roddick

Meanwhile, reviews have placed “Challengers” in the position of other tennis movies like Match Point, The Battle of Sex, Wimbledon and Borg v McEnroe.

Andy Roddick believes Rafael Nadal needs more tournaments to find his competitive rhythm

Away from “Challengers”, Andy Roddick has recently revealed that Rafael Nadal will win the French Open if only he finds his competitive rhythm. This is coming after the Spanish legend won his first three matches in the Madrid Open before exiting in the Round of 16.

Andy Roddick and Rafael Nadal
Andy Roddick and Rafael Nadal (Image via Imago)

However, Nadal has only competed in three tournaments this season following his comeback in January. With only nine matches this season, the Spaniard has six wins from them. Roddick believes he needs more tournaments to find form.

I still feel that if he manages to play some matches free of major discomfort and acquires some competitive rhythm in these previous tournaments, he will be one of the favorites for the title at Roland Garros 2024. I honestly think so.
Andy Roddick said on his podcast

Nadal has admitted that he will compete at the Rome Open, which kick-starts on the 6th of May through to the 19th.

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