Movie review: 'Challengers' puts stars' popularity on the line

“Challengers” ups the tennis game.

Instead of focusing on coaching, all-important tournaments and endorsement deals, it looks at the relationships between players.

Key to the story: a friendship that began when two were doubles partners and roommates.

Arthur (Mike Faist) is the more dedicated one; Patrick (Josh O’Connor) is the rebel. Both, however, have their eyes on Tashi (Zendaya), a top female player who seems like the perfect partner for two singles.

The two express interest; she teases both and, yes, because this is a Luca Guadagnino film, there is some sexual tension between the men. One succeeds with Tashi, the other battles to stay afloat.

The time shifts (from past to present to past) happen so frequently it’s like watching a real match.

When we finally figure things out, Patrick is scrambling to get in a Challengers match to prove his worth; Arthur (who has six Grand Slam trophies) wants to use it as a brush-up for the U.S. Open, the one tournament he hasn’t won.

As farfetched as it may seem, the two meet in the finals and, there, we see those adolescent fears and dreams play out.

“Challengers” has so much swagger it’s funny someone isn’t called out. Both actors, however, are good at playing the age range Guadagnino requires. Zendaya, meanwhile, owns everything. Even though her playing days are over, she’s calling the shots, getting both men to do what she wants.

What doesn’t quite square is the separation. If Art and Patrick were best buds for years, why would they be so clueless about each other a decade later? Similarly, why didn’t they stay in touch?

Court play is fascinating, but it can’t keep up with the hotel hopping that fills much of the scorecard. There’s a threesome early on, but it’s not as steamy as you might think. That’s saved for the “13 years later” scenes that manage to involve O’Connor with his friends.

What isn’t explained is the director’s fascination with the players’ feet. They’re barefoot, routinely, and no one seems to complain of aches, pains or sores.

Zendaya plays much of her contemporary moments like Faye Dunaway in “Network.” She’s on top; the others are just listening. She also seems fairly focused on her one player. Considering she’s trying to help him win, you’d think she’d have intel on all the competitors. Instead, Patrick’s appearance is a shock to her, too.

While “Challengers” doesn’t go too deep (into tennis, the relationships or the surrounding world), it does give the sport a gloss it rarely enjoys. None of the action takes place on Center Court in one of the Grand Slams but it has the sheen of something rich and exclusive.

Like Joel Schumacher years ago, Guadagnino concentrates on visuals and comes away with a film that’s not just interesting, it’s highly attractive.