10 Drama-Packed Quotes From 'Challengers'

After Tashi got a bad knee injury, Art and Patrick both asked her to be their coach. They did not ask at the same time. That would be too easy. Both leading men showed their admiration and affection for Tashi early in the film with this statement.

The trailer's most watched thirty seconds show Art, Patrick, and Tashi joking around in a hotel room, tossing around what-ifs. After sharing feelings and catching glances, Tashi sits in the middle of the bed and says, “Come here.” The boys look at each other, stunned. Then Art asks, “Which one of us?” Nobody answers. They both run to the bed faster than Tashi can reply.

Art and Patrick sit in a sauna as their friendship tension rises. Their talk seems about tennis, but they actually mean Tashi. They size each other up. Art says, “This is a game about winning the points that matter.” Patrick dislikes this, telling Art, “I do not need to play mind games with you.”

Dating two best friends at once. What could go wrong? Tashi follows her heart (and maybe something else) when she asks Patrick and Art about their advances. She asks, “How often does this happen? Going after the same girl?” Patrick replies, “Not as often as you would think.” Art stops before saying, “We usually have different types.”

As emotions rise, Art tells Tashi how he feels about her relationship with Patrick. He snaps at her, speaking with the intensity of the tennis court, “He is not in love with you.” Tashi immediately replies, asking, “What makes you think I want someone to be in love with me?”

Being forced to retire before your prime because of an injury is every athlete's worst fear. Tashi gets a knee injury—one of the hardest to recover from. Shuffling through her options after accepting she cannot play tennis, she feels defeated. She states, “Unfortunately, my only skill in life is hitting a ball with a racquet.” This hits athletes who lose everything they know.

Tennis means more than just tennis for athletes like Tashi. Every second, every moment of her life focuses on becoming the world's best tennis player. In Challengers, she has the awards to prove her value in professional sports. When sharing her knowledge, she tells Art, her student, “You think tennis is about showing yourself, doing what you do. But you do not know what tennis is.” Art clearly has much to learn.

Tashi wants Patrick gone after she marries Art. In a rare meeting, Patrick still holds power over her. He approaches her while she works and says, “Come have a cigarette with me; I have to talk to you.” She replies, “I don't smoke and I'm not talking to you.” Tashi wins Patrick over in seconds with puppy eyes.

Tashi is the most wanted woman inChallengers. Tashi is a tennis prodigy. She is a beautiful young woman with a bright career. Her intensity on the court is unmatched. She plays with talent and focus only top athletes show. Art introduces himself after seeing her play. He says, “You were incredible today. I mean it wasn't even like tennis, it was an entirely different game.”

Art's losing streak strains his and Tashi's relationship. Before his final match against Patrick, Art tries to encourage his wife. He says, “I'm playing for both of us, Tashi.” Tashi retired from the game with regret over what she missed. Art saying he plays for both of them sets an impossible standard.