Zendaya, Josh O’Connor and Mike Faist hit Sydney red carpet for Challengers premiere

Hollywood superstar Zendaya has walked the Sydney world carpet for the Australian premiere of her latest movie. See the photos here.

Terrified, lucky, excited – they’re some of the emotions Zendaya and her co-stars felt as they hit the red carpet on the first stop of the global tour for new film, Challengers.

Walking the ruby rug at Sydney’s landmark State Theatre, Zendaya was joined by Josh O’Connor and Mike Faist for the screening of Luca Guadagnino directed romantic sports flick.

It is the first in a series of large-scale premieres around the globe with the next stop Paris, followed by Rome, London, Monte-Carlo, and Milan ahead of the film’s release on April 26.

“It is not a bad start,” Zendaya said.

“It is a perfect place to start this film, hopefully people here enjoy it. I haven’t shown a movie here since.”

“The Greatest Showman and that was a beautiful experience then being with Hugh Jackman of all people. So I feel very lucky to be back here. Just waking up to the sunrise and I got to be on the beach yesterday. I was like, ‘this is how you do it’. It is beautiful, no complaints.”

Josh O’Connor, Zendaya and Mike Faist on the red carpet for the Australian premiere of Challengers in Sydney. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Zendaya at the State Theatre in Sydney. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Erin Holland on the red carpet for the Australian premiere of Challengers. Picture: Jonathan Ng

It is the first trip to Australia for Faist and O’Connor, who won both Golden Globe and SAG Awards for his portrayal of British Prince Charles in The Crown.

Set to open in cinemas nationally on April 18, it tells the story of former tennis prodigy turned coach Tashi Duncan (Zendaya) who “makes no apologies for her game on and off the court”.

Laura Dundovic. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Charlee Fraser. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Dani Dacic on the red carpet for the Australian premiere of Challengers, at the State Theatre in Sydney. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Donny Galella on the red carpet. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Duncan is married to Art Donaldson (Faist), a champion on a losing streak, with life taking a turn when he has to face off on court against his wife’s washed-up ex, Patrick (O’Connor).

“It is really exciting but it is also terrifying because we are sharing the film for the first time and that is always really nerve-racking,” O’Connor said.

Tsehay Hawkins. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Juliet Godwin. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Laura Cameron. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Remy Hii. Picture: Jonathan Ng

“It is really surreal [being in Australia] – it is one of the things about our job that sometimes I feel like we take for granted, that we get to go to these incredible places.

“Although sometimes you don’t get to see much of it because you are in and out of press or whatever it is but we are so fortunate to come to these incredible places and visit them and share our work and be able to witness that.”

Do you have a story for The Daily Telegraph? Message 0481 056 618 or email [e-mail]