She's back ~ L. Hamilton

53. | You're here to win, not to play

Mid-May

Two weeks until the French Open

Its late, almost ten pm. Liam and I are about two hours into a practice match. The court lights are bright and the clay is dense below our feet. Marco had long gone to bed.

Liam and I decided to play tonight because, earlier in the day people had started gathering by the court we were on, trying to catch a glimpse of us. I could feel myself getting more and more tense with all of their eyes on me.

"I need privacy" I told my uncle in between games "clay is my worst surface. I need to get everything ready and in control first and then people can watch me"

"You're in your head too much" Liam said, walking over towards me "

"I missed the meeting where I hired you as an assistant coach"

"The two of you comment on my game constantly" Liam exclaimed

I raised my eyebrows at his words, and my uncles face did not soften

"Fine, you both say whatever thoughts come into your head and I'll be as quite as a church mouse"

My uncle nodded "that would be best"

Liam rolled his eyes "are we playing or what?"

"Bene. esercitati da solo senza la folla. ma devi ricordare che tra due settimane milioni di persone ti guarderanno" my uncle said to me

"Come potrei dimenticare" I muttered

My uncle then grabbed his water and hat and headed off

Liam looked down at me "what was that?"

"You should really learn Italian" I said

"So I can understand your uncle?"

"So you can understand a lot of people. Including me sometimes"

Liam smirked "are we playing now or what"

I started packing up my kit "we are not. He said I need more time before everyone will watch me. So I'm asking you, please, can we pick this match up later today when no one is here? You name your time"

Liam nodded "fine. How about eight? At your place"

"Thank you" I said with a smile

As I started to walk away Liam called out to me again "take a moment to consider that I'm right about your mental game"

I turned back to him "and take a moment to shut the fuck up"

****

And now, in the cool evening air, with no one around. My game is much better

"Dammit!" Liam yells as I win the current game.

If I win one more, I'll take the set and win the match.

I laugh. "Whose mental game are you worried about now?" I ask.

Liam rolls his eyes, kicking the ground.