Luca Guadagnino’s sexy sports comedy Challengers, starring Zendaya as a former tennis prodigy turned coach entangled in a love triangle with two pro tennis players, played by Josh O’Connor and Mike Faist, will open the Venice Film Fest

“Challengers” will world premiere out of competition on Aug. 30 in the Venice Lido’s Palazzo del Cinema, providing a star-studded kickoff for the fest’s 80th edition.

The hotly anticipated film – which marks Guadagnino’s first full-fledged U.S. studio movie – will be distributed in the U.S. by Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures/Amazon Studios, and internationally through Warner Bros Pictures.

But things take an intriguing twist when Tashi must face off against another washed up player named Patrick, played by O’Connor, who also happens to be Tashi’s former lover and Art’s best friend.

“As their pasts and presents collide, and tensions run high, Tashi must ask herself, what will it cost to win,” is how the provided synopsis puts it.

 “It’s a modern bold story of youthful energy, love and power,” said Guadagnino in a statement.

“As a filmmaker, it is a dream come true and I am grateful to Alberto [Barbera] and the whole Venice family for this wonderful recognition for the film,” the director went on to say.

Guadagnino last year won the Venice Silver Lion for Best Director for “Bones and All,” which also scooped the Marcello Mastroianni Award for best young actor that went to Taylor Russell.

The fact that Guadagnino scored Venice awards last year may help explain why “Challengers” is launching out-of-competition from the Lido this year.

“Luca Guadagnino is one of the few Italian directors who has always been accustomed to working with both Italian and foreign actresses and actors, getting top results from all of them each time. Even when he is filming abroad, as is the case with ‘Challengers,’” said Venice artistic director Alberto Barbera.

“Challengers” is written by American playwright Justin Kuritzkes and produced by Amy Pascal, Guadagnino, Zendaya, and Rachel O’Connor.

Executive producers are Bernard Bellew, Lorenzo Mieli and Kevin Ulrich. The music is by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross.

The 80th edition of the Venice Film Festival will run August 30-September 9