Page 69 of Match Point

Me: Does this mean you’re not upset? You forgive me?

Dominic: I forgive you. But I’m still processing how I feel.

Me: That’s fair. I hope you don’t blame Tristan for any of this, either.

Dominic: Like I said: I’m still processing. But that’s between Tristan and me.

Dominic: I think we should put things on hold between us. Not because you did something wrong, but because I need to focus on tennis. My window is closing; I only have a few more years left before I’m too old to compete. I need to devote 100% of my time to this sport. I can’t allow distractions to torpedo my game. I hope you understand.

“I do understand,” I typed back to him, but tears still filled my vision. Even though we were neverofficiallytogether, it felt like a breakup.

After giving me the afternoon off, the network allowed me to cover the rest of the tournament—which really only involved two more matches: the Women’s Final and Men’s Final. As I walked across Wimbledon to Centre Court, signing autographs and taking selfies, I prepared to be bombarded by the media. I was ready to repeat the line Hammy had recommended: “I don’t comment on my personal life. I’m just here to watch the sport I love.”

But none of the reporters came running up for a quote.

Everyone in the booth was supportive when I arrived. Tim Henman nodded and gave me a friendly fist-bump. My producer put an arm around me and took me aside.

“I went to bat for you with the network,” he whispered. “They’re not going to press you for a statement. None of their bloody business, you ask me. Now, let’s prepare for the match.”

“Thanks,” I said, strangely touched by the gesture.

“You okay?” Henman asked as I put on my headset.

“Actually, yeah. I was expecting to be swarmed by reporters when I arrived today, but none of them bothered me. It’s like their memories were wiped and they forgot all about the story.”

Henman removed his headset and rolled his chair closer to me, lowering his voice. “I heard a rumor about that. A player—acurrentplayer, highly-ranked—threatened the writers assigned to the tournament. He said he would never give another interview unless they left you and Tristan alone.”

I blinked. “Who would do that for me?”

“I’m sure you can figure it out,” he replied, putting his headset back on.

I smiled to myself.Would Dominic really do that?It was such a selfless act.

Gabriel was masterful in the final against Juncheng. He flew across the grass like a man possessed, fighting as if every single shot was for match point. Not only did Gabriel not lose a single set, but he absolutely dominated in the final, winning 6 - 2, 6 - 0, 6 - 1.

“How important is this win for you today?” the on-court reporter asked him during the award ceremony, voice booming through the stadium.

“It is a big win, yes of course,” Gabriel replied. He stood proud, hands on his hips, tousled hair framing a chiseled face that still glistened with sweat. “Now I just need the US Open to complete my Grand Slam.”

“How did you feel about your opponent today?”

“I knew I could wear Juncheng out over time, so I battled on every single point. Rather than thinking aboutgamesandsets, I focused only on collecting points. Juncheng is a very good player. He is young, but I expect to see him deep in tournaments for many years to come.”

That was strangely diplomatic,I thought. Gabriel rarely complimented his opponents.

“Be honest, Gabriel. Are you disappointed you didn’t get to face Dominic deGrom in the final?”

“Here it comes,” Henman muttered next to me. “The real Gabriel is about to come out.”

I winced and listened to his response, hoping it wasn’t too biting.

“Part of me is disappointed, yes,” Gabriel told the reporter, voice booming in the stadium. “We have had quite the year together, deGrom and myself. It would have been three finals in a row together. Three strikes and you are out, my American friends say.”

There was a scattering of chuckles among the London crowd.

“But no,” Gabriel went on, in a conversational voice rather than his usual bombastic tone. “To be quite honest, I was relieved to not have to face deGrom this time. He is remarkably strong on grass, and I consider it my weakest surface. I do not know if I could have defeated him. Many players want a challenge, and I understand this thinking, yes, but I would also like to win! Even if the win is easier.

“Of course, let me be very clear that I do not wish to minimize the skills of Juncheng here,” he quickly added. “The score rarely tells the full story, and this match could have gone quite differently if I had not come out strong.” He turned to face Juncheng directly. “And I amverycertain of what I said earlier: that you are a very talented young man who will be in many more finals to come. I look forward to our future battles.”

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