Having grudgingly admired, in the end be pitted against (6)
I believe the answer is:
envied
If this is the answer I cannot explain how the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for envied that I've seen before include "Desired" , "Begrudged, coveted" , "Looked greenly" , "Was jealous of (someone)" , "Was jealous of, begrudged" .)