Challengers (Subtitled) (15)

American tennis champion Art Donaldson suffers a dip in form ahead of the 2021 US Open, the only title that has eluded him. His wife and coach, Tashi, enters him in the Phil's Tire Town Challenger in New Rochelle. It is one of the lowest ranking events on the men's tour ahead of Flushing Meadows and Art should breeze through the competition, except former doubles partner Patrick Zweig, ranked 201st in the world, is also in the draw. Challengers contrasts the sweat-drenched exertions of Faist and O'Connor, who look ready to implode with exhaustion by the end of the two hours, with Zendaya's masterful verbal rallies. As a sports prodigy cruelly halted in her prime, resenting anyone who squanders their talent or mithers about the physical toll, she devours the screen. "You'd have a better shot with a handgun in your mouth," Tashi coldly informs Patrick about his chances of beating Art in New Rochelle. Fractured chronology shifts the balance of power, keeping us guessing who will fire off the next zinging ace and seize the advantage. As awestruck observers to mounting devastation and smashed racquets, we are the only sure-fire winners. Game, set, love match.