Zendaya’s latest movie Challengers is not only influenced by athletes on-court but also by the people who support them off-court. The screenwriter of the movie, Justin Kuritzkes, revealed how Roger Federer’s wife, Mirka, influenced Zendaya’s expressions in the movie. In an interview, Kuritzkes shed light on the story of a Wimbledon match that helped him shape the character of Tushi Duncan.

Throughout the creative process, Kuritzkes was drawn to the way Mirka would express herself during matches, especially when he observed her extreme tension during Wimbledon in 2019. When Federer was deep into the game playing against Novak Djokovic, Mirka Federer was in the stand with her hands on her face, watching her husband play. “I was watching her and just thinking, ‘Why are you so stressed out? You guys have all the money in the world. You’ve won 20 grand slams. What’s so stressful for you? It has to be something else.”

Although Roger Federer lost that game to Novak Djokovic, it created a source of inspiration for Kuritzkes. Mirka’s enigmatic past piqued Kuritzkes’ curiosity, prompting him to delve deeper into learning more about her. And soon he discovered that she had been a gifted tennis player and had previously reached a career ranking of 76. But a foot injury cut her career short. Referring to the transition that she went through, Kuritzkes continued, “She kind of became [Federer’s] manager and sort of managed his life. “He credits her a lot for [his success].” 

Even after the Wimbledon match, Federer revealed how his wife has been “wonderful in terms of support.” Not only that, but he also spoke about the time when she decided to help him have an “amazing career” and grow happily together.

This revelation influenced Tashi’s character. The story of the movie revolves around how Tashi uses her love of tennis to manage her husband’s profession following an injury, much like Mirka did. Not only that, but in some scenes Zendaya’s character mimics the same expression as Mirka during Federer’s matches. However, that is not the end. The movie takes inspiration from one more real-life incident.

Apart from Roger Federer, Kuritzkes reveals how Serena Williams also influenced Challengers

During a 2018 U.S. Open match, Kuritzkes noticed how Serena Williams was in distress after the allegations of receiving coaching from the sidelines. This made him wonder about the paradox of having someone so close on the court to support you but not being able to talk to them without breaking the rules. “Immediately, that struck me as really cinematic,” he told GQ.

Kuritzkes questioned the psychological impact of the scenario, and that planted the seed for the movie in him. “And what if you guys had to talk about something really important and really dramatic beyond tennis, something about your lives, and something that included the person on the other side of a net?” he further added.

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Through Tashi Duncan, Zendaya brings to life the unsung stories of people who love and support the champions on and off the court. And through the character, the real-life heroes of the tennis world will continue to live.