Page 40 of Serve
“I have to run back to the room and then meet up with Emm. They have me playing on Court Suzanne Lenglen at noon. I hate that court.” Tyler stood up and threw money on the table. He pecked Dixie on the cheek, and was about to do the same to Chip, but pulled back when he realized they were in a public place. The look of disappointment in his eyes stilled his heart. He had to overcome the urge to smother him in dozens of kisses. Chip gave him a sad smile and winked. Tyler squeezed his shoulder instead, turned and reluctantly left.
“I know what to do, Emm. I’ve played him before. His backhand is his weakness, that and his second serve.” He said. They were standing outside the locker room. The match before his was almost over, so he needed to get his gear and be ready to go at a moment’s notice. He glanced at his phone, hoping she’d get the hint.
“If you win this match, you know who you play next, right?” She grabbed his shoulders and looked him directly in the eye. Tyler shrugged her hands off and nodded. Scott’s player Travis was playing the winner of this match. He had a knot in the center of his gut just thinking about it.
“Let me get through this match first before I worry about Travis, okay?”
Emm didn’t have to say a word. Her fist gently bumped his shoulder, then she gave him a half-hug.
“All right, now go kick some ass. This guy has won only two titles in ten years, so it’ll be a piece of cake.” They high-fived, then she jogged off in the direction of the stands.
“C’mon, Tyler. Take it one match at a time.” He said to himself, then walked into the locker room.
His opponent Gustavo Hipoli, was a clay court specialist from Argentina. He wasn’t built like a typical tennis player. He was only five foot nine, and stocky, more like a wrestler. His looks were deceiving though, and he raced around the court like a roadrunner. Despite his lack of titles, Tyler knew he’d best not underestimate the pro. Hipoli had nothing to lose and everything to gain by knocking him out of the competition. He’d come out swinging, but Tyler was determined to win.
Gustavo and his team were on the other side of the room telling jokes, laughing. When he noticed him, he gave a respectful wave, which Tyler returned. He’d only played him a couple of times, but he was always friendly. He wished all of the players were like him.
Tyler sat on the low, wooden bench in front of his locker and fished his phone out of his bag. All morning while practicing with Emm, he’d been consumed by the thought of playing Travis, and the threat Scott presented. There was no way in hell he was going to let his former coach ruin his career. If he had to brave some naked pictures of him splashed across the internet, so be it. He wasn’t a quitter, and he wasn’t going to throw this match, or any match just to avoid coming out. He’d made up his mind while walking to the hotel earlier from the restaurant. Seeing the look in Chip’s eye when he didn’t kiss him goodbye was all it took to make up his mind. He wanted to let him know now, before he walked on the court. He typed a message and hit send.
If I win this match I play Travis
I'm not scared of Scott
Seconds later he got a reply.
I am proud of you no matter what
Kick ass
I love you
Tyler’s heart beat a little faster in his chest. He typed his reply and hit send right as the tournament officials came to escort him outside.
I love you too
“Out!”
Gustavo’s serve was off, and Tyler was making him pay for it. An excellent returner on a bad day, when Tyler was tuned in to his opponent, he was devastating. Tyler took the first set 6-3, and was up a break in the second, leading 3-1.
His second serve safely landed a foot from the baseline, and Tyler punished the ball, sending it crosscourt for a winner. Gustavo shook his head, then slammed his racket to the ground, cursing. This earned him a warning from the umpire.
Tyler indicated to a ball kid he wanted a towel. He put it against his face, presumably to wipe off sweat, and smiled into it. The match was his, and he knew it. Getting into your opponent’s head was always a good sign. When he removed the towel, his face was once-again stoic, unreadable.
He played in the zone, Tyler’s competitive brain automatically registering every movement of his opponent and the ball. Like everyone else, tennis players would have good and bad days at the office. The difference between the top players and everyone else was how they performed on off days. Consistency was king, and pulling out a win despite dragging feet propelled champions to victory. Giving in to the blahs was the key to defeat. Tyler was having a perfect day, rendering him virtually unbeatable for any player, no matter how talented they were.
During the last changeover, he looked up to his box for the first time during the whole match. Chip’s face lit up the moment their eyes met. Emm gave him a discreet thumbs up, while Tina and Dixie passed a phone back and forth, laughing. He shook his head and smiled, used to them ignoring matches, unless he was on the ropes. Then the entire world paid attention.
A ball kid passed him new balls. He stuffed two in his pockets, and bounced the other on the ground. Gustavo’s backhand was failing, so he tossed the ball in the air, and aimed for the line on that side.
For the first time in the match, the stocky player’s backhand was effective, startling Tyler into action. The ball landed on the line at his feet, pushing him back from the baseline. Somehow he managed to step back and get his racket on it. Gustavo shocked him again by sliding into the net and volleying off his return. Tyler slid to his left to retrieve it, and fell to the dirt, missing the return. Tyler looked up to see Gustavo pumping his fist and yelling at his box, pleased with his performance. If this baseline loving clay courter was suddenly switching to serve and volley, he’d have an actual match on his hands.
Damn it.
He managed to win the game, serving an ace out wide for one point, and pushing Gustavo back behind the baseline for another, keeping him away from the net so he could surprise him with a drop shot. He needed to neutralize the man and close out the match as quickly as possible. Now it was his opponent’s turn to serve, and he felt seeds of doubt growing in the pit of his stomach.
Tyler positioned himself just inside the baseline, ready to receive serve. The crowd grew silent, absorbed in the now-competitive match. Tyler felt their energy, and knew they wanted the match to go the distance, five sets if possible. If Tyler had his way, he’d close it out in three short sets, disappointing the audience, but saving his energy for a potential match with Travis. He looked up to his box again for support. Dixie, Tina and Emm were all paying attention now, and Chip’s eyes were glued to his. Then he noticed someone out of the corner of his eye.
Scott was a few seats above them, his grim face breaking into a smile when he discovered Tyler’s gaze settling on him.
