Page 135 of Carrie Soto Is Back

“Well, so have I,” I say.

“And you had your chance to shine––you were given that opportunity.”

“Itookit,” I say. “It wasn’t given to me. Nobody wantedmeto be the face of women’s tennis. They still don’t. I had to demand it. Just like I am doing now. So if you want it, you’re going to have to take it from me.”

“No,” Nicki says. “That’s what you don’t seem to get. Ihavetaken it from you.Ihave the record. And ifyouwant it, you’re going to have to take it fromme.”

I stare at her, and she continues.

“I am the best player women’s tennis has seen,” she says. “And I deserve to be recognized for it.”

“You are recognized for it,” I say. “Constantly.”

Nicki shakes her head. “No, byyou.By the person I’ve respected my entire life. The woman I’ve looked up to.”

There is no smile on her face anymore. Not even the hint of one. I look over at the TV. It’s playing sports commentary with the sound off. The closed captioning says they are talking about Nicki and me right now.

“I see it,” I say, finally looking at her. “Me hating it is me seeing it.”

Nicki sighs. “Okay, Soto. I guess I can’t squeeze blood from a stone.”

“Look, what do you want from me?”

Nicki looks me in the eye.

“Don’t worry about what I say,” I tell her. “Pay attention to what Ido.I’m back, aren’t I? I’m playing here today. That’s how good youare.”

The trainer is done. I stand up. I walk past Nicki and put my hand on her shoulder.

“Good luck,” I say. “I’m rooting for you up until the last second when I play you.”

Nicki smiles. “You should be so lucky.”

I put my hand out for her to shake. And she takes it.

Transcript

SportsNews Network

Wild Sportswith Bill Evans

Bill Evans:It is the first day of this year’s US Open, and Nicki Chan started it off by absolutelycrushingjourneyman Suze Carter this morning. Natasha Antonovich, Ingrid Cortez, Carla Perez, Odette Moretti, Josie Flores, Whitney Belgrade, Erica Staunton, and more are all heading into the second round. And now in the afternoon, Wimbledon champion and all-out sensation Carrie Soto goes up against rookie Madlenka Dvoráková here in the first round at Flushing Meadows. It is just two weeks since her father and coach, Javier Soto, died. Carrie has said she is playing in his honor.

There’s a lot of talk about who will come out the victor over the next couple weeks. But we know one thing for sure: There may be one hundred twenty-eight players competing for that trophy, but all eyes are focused on just two of them.

Nicki Chan and Carrie Soto have made no secret of their rivalry. Each of these incomparable women wants that title and the record that comes with it.

Who will it be? The Beast or the B-I-T-C-You-Know-What?

It is sure to be a nail-biter. Stay with us over the next two weeks as we find out who makes it to the final.

SOTO VS. DVORÁKOVÁ

1995 US Open

First Round

I am standing in thetunnel. I lean down and wipe the dirt off my yellow Break Points. I remember the words my father wrote down.Keep her playing at the baseline. It will thrill her, but she won’t be able to keep up.

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