In the film “Challengers,” directed by Luca Guadagnino, the tension-filled final match between Art (Mike Faist) and Patrick (Josh O’Connor) leaves audiences buzzing with one major question: Who wins the match? This climactic scene not only fuels the drama but also poses a unique scenario for tennis officials. To shed light on this, Slate consulted with David Hanzes, section chair of officials for the U.S. Tennis Association’s Eastern Division.
Unpacking the Final Point
The pivotal moment occurs during the third-set tiebreaker, where Art executes a daring overhead smash that sends him flying over the net and landing on Patrick. According to Hanzes, a tennis umpire with 20 years of experience, several rules come into play here. First, a player must not reach over the net to hit the ball, and the ball must travel over the net before being struck. Furthermore, a player cannot enter the opponent’s side of the court while the point is still in play, nor can they physically contact the opponent during the point.
Given these rules, if Art hit the ball before it crossed the net or his momentum carried him into Patrick’s court before the ball had bounced a second time, he would lose the point. Hanzes emphasized that while the act of crossing the net does not necessarily warrant a disciplinary action unless it appears aggressive, the scenario described suggests that Art would indeed forfeit the point for his overzealous play.
Tiebreakers and Fair Play
Explaining the structure of a tiebreaker, Hanzes noted that it’s a race to seven points, and the player must win by two. With Art’s mistake, Patrick would lead the tiebreaker 1–0. In such high-stakes matches, the role of an umpire extends beyond simply enforcing rules; it includes managing the tension and ensuring that the match proceeds under fair conditions.
Despite the complexity introduced by personal conflicts—like the hinted romantic entanglement involving Art, Patrick, and Tashi (Zendaya)—Hanzes stressed the importance of impartiality. Each match is a new event, and personal histories or previous encounters should not influence the umpire’s decisions.
A Theoretical Outcome
While the film “Challengers” leaves the outcome of its climactic match ambiguous, understanding the rules and the role of a tennis umpire helps clarify what might realistically happen in such a scenario. Whether Art or Patrick ultimately wins the match remains a mystery to the audience, serving as a perfect conversation starter as they leave the theaters.
The beauty of “Challengers” lies not just in who wins or loses, but in how the characters reconnect with their passion for tennis, making it a truly compelling narrative regardless of the final score.
