“Don’t see Nadal and Alcaraz fighting like that,” Paula Badosa unimpressed by Zendaya’s Challengers as she labels it an ‘American teenage film’

Several tennis players, current and former, have praised the movie and also Zendaya's performance but Badosa couldn't understand it.

“Don’t see Nadal and Alcaraz fighting like that,” Paula Badosa unimpressed by Zendaya’s Challengers as she labels it an ‘American teenage film’

Rafael Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz, Paula Badosa, Zendaya (Images via Imago, Instagram, X)

Zendaya‘s Challengers is a success at the box office, but it has failed to impress former World No.2 Paula Badosa. The movie, released in April this year and directed by Italian filmmaker Luca Guadagnino, is a story about a love triangle between a tennis coach, her husband, and her ex-boyfriend. 

Tashi Donaldson (played by Zendaya), who once was an excellent tennis player, succumbs to a knee injury that ends up ruining her career. She becomes a tennis coach and changes her husband, Art Donaldson (Mike Faist) into a world-class player. The drama starts when Donaldson is made to play a challenger event due to his string of poor performances against Patrick Zweig (Josh O’Connor), who is also Tashi’s ex-boyfriend. 

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But Badosa, who is dating Stefanos Tsitsipas, couldn’t understand it. She labeled it an American teenage film as she couldn’t imagine men’s tennis players clashing with each other like Art and Patrick. 

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I saw it and I didn't understand anything. I even discussed it with other colleagues, and they told me the same thing. I assure you that the tour is not like that at all, it seemed more like an American teenage film. I don't see Nadal and Alcaraz fighting like that (laughs).
Paula Badosa said during her interview with Elle 

Challengers is praised by critics and has a rating of 7.2/10 on IMBd. Several tennis players, current and former, have praised the movie and also Zendaya’s performance. 

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Paula Badosa explains what’s the hardest task between supporting Stefanos Tsitsipas off-court and playing

Paula Badosa has been dating Stefanos Tsitsipas since May 2023 but they announced their break-up in May this year on a social media post. They rekindled their romance, which was confirmed by the Greek just three weeks later. 

Paula Badosa, Stefanos Tsitsipas
Paula Badosa, Stefanos Tsitsipas (Image via Imago)

Badosa in an interview with La Vanguardia opened up about her relationship with Tsitsipas and the criticism both have to deal with, for the critics blame their relationship as distractions from achieving best results. The Spaniard was also asked whether it’s tough for her to handle pressure during matches or support Tsitsipas from his box. 

In both to be honest, I would probably say that you suffer the most off the court because you can't do anything to come in and help him, and when you're playing, in the end, you yourself have that control. 
Paula Badosa said 

Badosa, who last played Wimbledon, has decided to skip the upcoming Olympics. She has been fighting a career-threatening back stress fracture by receiving cortisone shots. 

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