Page 187 of Adrenalina (The Rush World)

“Yea, I obviously feel extremely honored to be here at this moment. I mean, it’s crazy that I’m going to the final after not being able to get past round three these last few years I’ve been in the sport. Being in a Wimbledon final is the pinnacle of tennis and it’s something that’s surreal to achieve. So I would say I’m on top of the world right now.” I smile at the moderator.

She nods. “Thank you. Any questions?”

I look around. Being blinded by the lights focused on me, it’s hard to make out faces.

I blink a few times and squint.

Hands go up like wildfire, each interviewer wanting to get their questions answered.

“Yes.” The moderator picks a woman looking to be in her late twenties.

“After your loss in the Roland-Garros final, which arguably is the grand slam you’re best at, what do you plan on doing differently when going against Letty this time?”

I think for a second. “I don’t reveal my strategies,” I joke, and the interviewers chuckle lightly at my comment. “But when you’re going against Letty, that’s something within itself. The past few times I’ve played against her, I wasn’t in the best mindset. This time I’m in a better headspace and I think I have a better chance at beating her. If it’s not now, then I don’t know when.” I shrug.

The interviewer nods, writing my movements down on her notepad in haste.

“You.” This time the moderator points to a man in a black suit. It’s a little fancy for the event, but I’m not one to judge. Wimbledon is the best time to wear one considering the prestige.

“Letty Davis and you have gone through a feud of sorts. She’s said things about you. What’s your comment on that?”

I sigh. These are the questions I hate. I’m reluctant to speak, but I do so anyway. “It’s not a feud. It’s more of a healthy rivalry. Her comments are her own, and everyone’s opinion is valid. Letty is an icon in this sport, and she’s paved a way for women all across the globe. Being number one in the world must put a lot of pressure on top of that, and her comments have affected me in the past, I won’t lie.” Sofia cringes in the corner as I show one of my cards, but I don’t care. “But now I don’t really pay attention. Quite frankly, I plan on going on that court not caring about what’s said in the media as long as we play a good game. At the end of the day, one of us will win or lose. I can only play my best to control that.”

“Follow-up question?”

I’ve never been at a press conference where someone asks a follow-up question, but the moderator gives him the word.

“Do you think you can beat her?”

That’s a good question, one I don’t know the answer to.

“That depends on the game I play. In a sense, I do think I have it in me and tomorrow will be the ultimate answer to that question. In general, yes, one day I believe I can beat her, and I hope that day is tomorrow.”

“Last question,” the moderator says and the interviewers jump, trying to get her attention. But she ends up picking the girl sitting down silently in the corner with her hand up.

“How do you feel about the all-white dress code being changed by allowing women to wear dark-colored undershorts? Especially when you’re always wearing your signature pastel-colored tennis sets?”

“I like you.” I point at the woman who actually asks the hard-hitting questions. “Here at Wimbledon, wearing all white is iconic, so obviously I enjoy it. But the change of the rule is great in so many different circumstances. White is a staple and it really shows the reasons why Wimbledon is the peak of Tennis. But of course I miss my colorful outfits on occasion, so having the opportunity to wear something different to white gives me a sense of freedom, even if it’s black. It’s not much, but it shows the step toward inclusivity in the sport. It allows our worries about getting our periods to be alleviated from our minds so the match we play is one without outside distractions,” I respond honestly.

“Thank you all for your questions. Good luck tomorrow, Violetta. We are looking forward to the women’s singles final.” The moderator closes the press conference.

I smile at her and stand up. “Thank you all for your questions,” I tell the reporters.

Cameras start flashing again and once I walk out, all the lights dissipate.

“You did great!” Sofia tells me, catching up with my strides as I walk down the hallway.

I’m ready to get out of here.

“Thank you. But don’t lie, I saw you cringe in the back.” I chuckle.

“I like that you tell the truth. But you paused there for a moment, and you know Letty will use anything she can to intimidate you. Her press conference is in an hour. I would not recommend you watch it.”

“I’m not planning on watching it. I don’t need distractions right now.” I sigh.

“Speaking of distractions, he’s going to be here tomorrow.”

I stop walking once she references Xavier.

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