We began the game and I started off well. Every time I felt myself lacking I simply had to look over at Alice and I felt strong again. I won the first set pretty easily, winning 6-2. In the second set my opponent started to pull back a bit and I she won the first three games. I was getting tired and was preparing myself to serve. I looked across at Alice and she looked me directly in the eyes. I saw her willing me on and served the ball with a powerful hit…Ace. After that, I regained my lead and won the next five games.

I was serving for the game. Once again, I saw Alice and she mouthed “I love you”. This was enough for me to smash the ball across the net, sailing past my opponent and not even giving her a chance. Ace. I’d won the game, without even having to go into a third set, I felt great. I threw my arms up in the air in delight and could see Alice jumping up and down in excitement. I ran across to shake the other woman’s hand and the umpires and rushed across to the stands. Alice was fighting her way across the aisle and hopped down the steps into my arms. I leant across the advertisements at the side of the court and kissed her hard, so grateful that she was there to help me through my game. I could hear the cameras snapping as I slipped my tongue into Alice’s mouth. The press would love this, but at that moment I didn’t care, all that mattered was that I was in the arms of my girlfriend.  

Alice

Alice went off to the changing rooms and we met at the car that was waiting at the exit specifically for competitors, which took us back to our hotel room.

When we got back into our room Dana threw herself onto the springy bed, understandably exhausted from her match.

“How about I run you a bath? Unless you have to train?’ I wasn’t entirely sure of Dana’s schedule.

“No, thank God. A bath would be great.” Dana’s voice was muffled as her bed was face down on the duvet. I chuckled and walked through to start the water.