Delaney Ricciardo is fierce and her determined to win at any cost has not made her well liked. But by the time she retires from tennis she is a twenty four grand slam winner and regarded as the greatest tennis player the world has ever seen.
But si...
Alone in my hotel suit, I slip into my gown and do my hair and makeup.
The camera crew were set up in the living room, and I already knew they were going to make some dramatic sequence, centring around the fact I've just won Wimbledon and I'm getting ready by myself.
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Finally happy with my hair, I grab my clutch off my bed and leave my room. I make my way down to the lobby.
I'm meeting Daniel here so we can head out to the Wimbledon Champions Ball, at a hotel near Buckingham Palace.
It's almost ten o'clock, and the party is only just about to begin. We all have been waiting I have been waiting for the men's final to end. The party can't start until then.
The finalists were Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner neither one of whom would set a record by winning. We live in a world where exceptional women have to sit around waiting for mediocre men.
Alcaraz finally takes the fifth set just after ten PM. And apparently now we are all allowed to celebrate.
In the lobby, I see Daniel arrive in a slightly dark green suit, with a few silver chains around his neck. And for once he was wearing his glasses.
"Wow" I say. "You look good"
"To you as well" he says. He then holds out his arm towards me "mi'lady" he says in a posh accent, his famous Daniel Ricciardo smirk firmly in place.
I let out a laugh, wrapping my hand around his arm, and he escorts me to the ball.
Just as in years past, there is a horde of people here. They are all coming in and out, trying to find me, trying to shake my hand, trying to tell me that all along, they knew I would succeed. I've already counted multiple news pundits I recognise from a couple of months ago when they were predicting I would loose in the first round and then quit after Australia
Board members of the ITF are asking me if I will consider continuing on in the sport after the US Open. One of the directors of the WTA asks if I will join the full tour. A head of the All England Club tells me that he knew from the moment I announced my return that I would win Wimbledon.
"Isn't this nice?" I say to Daniel through gritted teeth. "A whole room full of friends with nothing but good intentions"
Daniel laughs "That is one thing I have always loved about you" he says "You are the rare star who doesn't like the smell of bullshit"
Not long after we arrive, I get stuck talking to a woman who is some sort of duchess.
"A rather exceptional win you've accomplished" she says to me, taking a sip of her drink.
"Thank you" I say "I'm so very proud"
"Yes" she says. "And at such an age. It's impressive. I quite admire your fighting spirit. You have that Australian virtue, don't you? That dogged obstinance-even in the face of indignity"
