I think that Tashi was the game the entire time, think about it:
the two guys fight over her, fight over the game of tennis, but who will win? It can be argued that Tashi is a metaphor for the competitiveness of tennis, she's not actually there - but the desire to win is. As Tashi said throughout the movie, "Tennis is a relationship" illustrates the relationship between Art and Patrick - the barrier between them; being Tashi (the actual game). When Tashi gets up to scream at the very end - "Come on!" this can be seen as the game between the two boys has finally been won - but by whom? and at what cost?
Tashi was the actual challenger they had to play through over almost 2 decades.
I agree it is not fair to objectify Tashi as a <game> or <trophy> but this is just one of my many outlooks on the movie.
It is obvious that the horrible pain Tashi went through, by working her whole life to be the best, just for it to be ruined by an injury. This is why she stays with Art, obvious I know, she plays through him - this can be confirmed when they are in the bedroom, can't remember the exact words they said, but something along the lines of Art playing for the both of them - Tashi did not love Art, she loved tennis, seeing as he could give her dream through playing and being the best, Art feels a great amount of pressure as he doesn't want to disappoint Tashi. Also, I think that Tashi and Patrick would be so slay together, they are the same person, and they perceive tennis the same way. this is shown through multiple shots in the movie, where in the beginning - Tashi's first game - she roars when she wins. Towards the end of the movie, Patrick copies her with a roar. This really shows how similar they are. Even in the bedroom, when they were getting freaky but ended up fighting - Patrick states "I am your peer" instead of being in a fan club (like Art). Once again, this is always confirmed with the <I Told Ya> shirt.
I know not a lot of people are choosing sides and what not, but I really do believe that Art, can be blamed the most in this movie. To be fair, they are all their own villains - everything that has happened to them is by their own actions.
Art - choosing Tashi's lifestyle by sticking up for her, which then they get married and he slowly dies inside (too much pressure for something he doesn't even love, tennis) but he does love Tashi. Also being unloyal to his dear friend, Patrick, even though he was 19, he is no saint like most fans make him out to be.
Patrick - Arguably, not going to college but going pro took some success out of his career. It is understandable that he didn't wanna go to college, but it's clear (Art being an example) that he would get further in his career with college by his side. Even though he can be seen as a "better" player than Art, he does not have the support of Tashi.
Tashi - Injury not being her fault, but everything that came after, marrying Art, she slowly dies with him - until the very end where she got the game she always wanted. "Not a homewrecker" ironic. Married to Art - sleeping with Patrick - she knew what she was doing when she signed Art up for the challenger.
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