Amazon Prime Video just released the ideal movie to watch while eagerly awaiting the streaming release of Challengers. The 2024 romantic sports drama was a huge critical and commercial success, captivating audiences with its compelling narrative and performances. The Challengers cast, led by Zendaya, had sizzling chemistry, creating an excellent combination of suspense and sexual tension. Directed by Luca Guadagnino and penned by Justin Kuritzkes, the film is one of the best drama movies of 2024. Challengers follows Tashi Duncan (Zendaya), a former tennis champion whose career is cut short by an injury, leading her to become a coach.

She dedicates herself to transforming her husband, Art Donaldson (Mike Faist), into a top-tier athlete. However, their lives are thrown into turmoil when Patrick Zweig (Josh O’Connor), Tashi’s ex-lover and Art’s former best friend, re-enters the scene, threatening not only Art’s athletic success but also rekindling old emotions and tensions. Although Challengers is not based on a true story, it draws inspiration from real-life tennis professionals and events. Amazon Prime Video’s new movie explores these real-life professionals and is the perfect distraction while waiting for Challengers to release on streaming.

Amazon Just Released A New Documentary About Tennis Star Roger Federer

It Offers An Intimate Look Into The Final Days Of His Illustrious Tennis Career

Amazon just released a new documentary titled Federer: Twelve Final Days, which could be very intriguing to those waiting for Challengers. Directed by Asif Kapadia and Joe Sabia, the documentary offers an intimate look into the final days of Roger Federer’s illustrious tennis career. Aimed squarely at Federer’s ardent fans, it chronicles the lead-up to Federer’s farewell at the 2022 Laver Cup, an event he created to mirror the Ryder Cup in tennis. Federer: Twelve Final Days provides emotional catharsis and insights into the Swiss maestro and his inner circle.

Opening with an emotional letter from Federer explaining his decision to retire due to injuries and age, the film explores the meticulous planning for his ultimate send-off. Featuring brief montages from Federer’s career, interviews with rivals like Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray, and moments from his inner circle, Federer: Twelve Final Days paints a heartfelt tribute to one of the sport’s greatest athletes. However, while it succeeds as a sentimental eulogy, it may leave general audiences yearning for more depth and drama.

Roger Federer & His Wife Mirka Were Real-Life Inspirations For Challengers

Their Dynamic Mirrored Art And Tashi’s Relationship

Roger Federer and his wife, Mirka, actually inspired the Challengers writer Justin Kuritzkes when it came to Tashi and Art’s relationship in the 2024 movie. In an interview with GQ, Kuritzkes recalled seeing Mirka in the stands while Federer played against Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon in 2019. “She looked so stressed out, every point,” Kuritzkes said. “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 to you? It has to be something else.’” The observation then spawned the foundation of the hit movie.

Upon digging into Mirka’s story, Kuritzkes discovered that when Federer first met her, both of them were tennis champions until a foot injury hindered Mirka’s career. Since then, she began managing Federer’s career (via The Wrap), much like Tashi and her knee injury pushing her to coach Art. Federer himself has often credited Mirka for his success, revealing (via Yahoo Sport Australia) that “she’s been there when I had no titles, and she’s still here 89 titles later” when mentioning Mirka’s role in his career.

Sources: GQ, The Wrap, Yahoo Sport Australia​