Until Then. // denis shapovalov - sascha zverev

1.3 - sleepovers and sweatshirts

Willow's POV

I wake up to my alarm at 6. I can already see the sun come up through the curtains... the first actual sunny day since I've been here. I rub my eyes and slowly sit up. As I sit up, I hear something crinkle next to me and look over. It's a note.

Goodnight Willow. xx

I smile, immediately knowing that the messy handwriting is Alex's, even though I've never seen his handwriting. I lay the note on my nightstand and start to get ready.

-

"Alright, if that sounds good, you guys are free to head to your stations! Take care of yourselves and drink lots of water. It's going to be a hot day today," Mischa announces at the end of our meeting and we all head out.

Since we're following our original schedules, I have post-match interviews on Louis Armstrong Stadium again... finally. I was getting tired of being in that small little room, listening to the same questions be asked over and over again.

As I walk over to the Stadium, I look over the court schedule and find Dom's playing on my court at 8pm. Other than that, everyone else's name is foreign to me. Even though it's only the second round, it feels like there's been a drastic decrease in players already. I decide to grab breakfast on my way over and stop at a random café and immediately recognize the girl in front of me.

"Holy shit, you're Naiomi Osaka," I blurt out.

She's wearing headphones, but clearly hears my excitement and turns around to smile, "Hey, what's up?"

"Oh my gosh, you're so amazing and such an inspiration player," I smile and reach out to shake her hand. "I'm Willow, I'm interviewing here!"

"Thanks! Are you with ATP?" She asks.

"Kinda! I'm with a smaller brand in Germany that ATP invited over to help with interviewing players!" I answer her. "But I'm new here so I'm probably not going to be on any of the courts that carry the majority of higher ranked players."

"You gotta work you way up, girl," Naomi smiles. "You'll get there. So are you staying at the hotel with all of us?"

"Yeah! I'm right below all of the men's floors so I hear constant stomping 24/7," I roll my eyes.

She laughs, "I get what you mean."

Her coffee comes out and she goes to grab it and comes back to me before leaving, saying, "Well I'm a few floors above the guys, but you'll have to come up and say hi sometime. No stomping, I promise."

We share a laugh and with that, she's gone. Even though I'm not too knowledgeable about tennis, I still feel the rush of when someone just met their idol.

-

Denis: Won my match and finished cool down! Still at Louis??? I can grab Ecobowl and meet u down there

Willa Wonka: Yep! Sounds good. Everything but beans and guac in my order pls<3

Denis Liked Message

I then go to text Alex.

Willow: Good luck during your match! I'm sorry I can't be there, but I know you've got this:)

I put away my phone. Alex was playing at the same time that Dom was, but on the Arthur Ashe Stadium. I'm happy he's not playing on my court though. I don't what him seeing Denis and me sitting next to each other while he plays. Even though we cleared things up last night, I don't want to push anything any further.