The Challengers Ending Explained: Match Maker
In “Challengers,” the game is all-encompassing and becomes apparent before the film really begins. We establish not only the theme but also the structure of the following film by seeing Art Donaldson (Mike Faist) engage in a heated, sweaty battle with Patrick Zweig (Josh O’Connor) on the tennis court while they throw the tennis ball back and move on before the film’s production logos appear. It was subsequently revealed that this particular game will form the conclusion of the film, its central timeline. It’s August 2019, and Donaldson and Zweig are competing in a challenge match sponsored by Phil’s Tire Town in New Rochelle, New York, while a mysterious woman watches the match intently from the crowded stands.
Flashing back to two weeks earlier, Guadagnino and screenwriter Justin Kuritzkes properly introduce Donaldson and the woman watching the game, who turns out to be his wife Tashi (Zendaya). The two are a power couple in the tennis world, with Donaldson a major star on the court and Tashi a strong player behind the scenes, acting as her husband’s coach, agent and representative in almost every way. This also includes advertising, as shown when Tashi makes some changes to a proposed car ad featuring the two of them, making sure she isn’t overshadowed by her husband in the ad.
The Donaldsons seem incredibly comfortable. Her daughter Lily (AJ Lister) loves living in hotels a little too much, and Tashi’s mother (Nada Despotovich) doesn’t mind essentially being a full-time babysitter for Lily. However, they may not be so lucky, especially since Tashi is nursing a seemingly old injury while Art is too distracted by the intimidating hero worship that his reputation alone brings him. His shattered confidence causes him to lose an important match, spelling trouble for his potential to make it to the US Open. To get her husband’s mojo back, Tashi sends him to the Challenger circuit in New Rochelle, assuring Art that an easy win there will lead to a series of easy, ego-boosting victories.
