Challengers Ending Explained: Who Won & Why Did Tashi Scream?

The movie Challengers has been generating buzz even after two months of its release. The romantic romantic drama follows the conflicted personal and professional life of Tashi. Ever since its release, the film’s climax has sparked discussions, especially regarding who won the final match in Challengers and why did Tashi (played by Zendaya) scream. So, here is the Challengers ending explained.

What happens in the final match at the end of Challengers 2024?

The film’s climax showcases the final showdown between the former best friends Art and Patrick at the New Rochelle Challengers tournament. While Art is determined to restore his lost confidence, Patrick’s desire for victory is boosted after reuniting with his former best friend.

However, a twist takes place as the match reaches its end. A night before the match, Tashi met Patrick, who is also her ex-boyfriend. She requested Patrick to lose the match for the sake of her husband’s lost confidence and also because she threatened to dump Art if he lost.

Patrick accepts her demand with the match taking an interesting turn. Art starts using a bro code from his teenage years with Art. He mimics Art’s style of serving and indirectly reveals that he slept with his wife. While Art is enraged for a second, things change in the tie-breaker when he and Patrick are seen smiling at each other. They play the match with all their energy. In an attempt to score a point, Art flies over the net but Patrick ends up catching him. The friends embrace each other and rekindle their broken friendship. While the match’s result remains a question, the two competitors feel satisfied in resolving their precious broken relationship. This is when Tashi, who was in the audience, screams at both of them.

Why did Tashi scream in Challengers 2024?

One of the most significant moments in the ending is Tashi screaming at the boys during the game. She screams “Come On” and has a smile on her face. The smile is similar to the one she had in the beginning when she scored a winning point against her opponent.

It appears Tashi is happy seeing the boys reunite and engage in a fierce competition. This becomes more emotional because of the fact she had to give up on her tennis career due to a grave injury.

Additionally, lead actor Zendaya opened up on her mother’s hilarious theory about Tashi’s scream with The New York Times. She stated:

“My mom read the ending so different. My mom is like, ‘She’s pissed because they realize that they don’t need her anymore.'” (via Digital Spy)

Challengers is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video in the United States.