Chapter 22: April 1995 – Two Months Before Paris

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

Summary

By April 1995, two months before the French Open, Carrie’s serve has consistently reached 122 mph. She feels light-footed and confident, with her father Javier regularly praising her sessions. One evening at dinner, Bowe Huntley calls to say he is pulling out of tournaments in Barcelona and Tokyo due to back pain and plans to head to Paris early to practice on clay. He invites Carrie and Javier to join him there to train together. Carrie enthusiastically agrees, wanting to win the French Open and silence critics. On the flight to Paris, Javier quizzes Carrie on strategy and hints at wanting to coach Bowe as well. He also asks Carrie if she and Bowe are dating; she deflects. A woman named Coral, a longtime fan of Javier, sits next to him and the two talk for most of the flight. Javier does not ask her out, explaining to Carrie that he has already had his love. Upon arriving at the hotel, Carrie receives a message from her agent Gwen, who tells her that Nicki Chan has entered the French Open. Carrie and Javier reaffirm their belief that Carrie can beat Chan and win the tournament.

Key Events

Carrie’s serve reaches 122 mph, and her overall fitness and confidence return.
Bowe calls to say he is withdrawing from Barcelona and Tokyo to rest his back and will train in Paris on clay.
Bowe proposes that Carrie and Javier join him in Paris to train together; Carrie accepts.
On the flight, Javier drills Carrie on opponent strategies and suggests coaching Bowe.
Javier asks Carrie if she and Bowe are dating; Carrie shuts down the conversation.
A fan named Coral, who recognizes Javier, sits next to him and they chat the whole flight.
After landing, Carrie learns from Gwen that Nicki Chan has entered the French Open.
Carrie and Javier declare that Carrie will win the French Open and that she is the greatest warrior.

Character Development

Carrie Soto is regaining her peak form—her serve is powerful, her footwork feels light, and she experiences the pure accomplishment she remembers from her twenties. Yet she remains guarded with her emotions, especially when Javier probes her relationship with Bowe. Her competitive fire burns brightly: she craves victory over Nicki Chan and wants to prove the doubters wrong.

Javier Soto continues as Carrie’s devoted coach, but his interest in Bowe’s game reveals a desire to mentor another player. He shows tenderness when he gently urges Carrie to keep her heart open, and his own nostalgia for love is evident in his interaction with Coral—he blushes when recognized and enjoys the conversation, yet chooses not to pursue a connection.

Bowe Huntley demonstrates strategic thinking by prioritizing his health and preparing for Roland-Garros on clay. His invitation to train together signals trust and partnership, and his banter with Carrie shows their comfortable rapport.

Coral appears briefly but highlights how Javier’s past fame still attracts admirers. Her presence also underscores Javier’s choice to remain loyal to his deceased wife’s memory.

Nicki Chan’s off-page entry into the French Open functions as a looming threat that reignites Carrie’s competitive determination.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Training Partnership: The arrangement to train together in Paris symbolizes a shift from isolation to collaboration. Carrie and Bowe agree to help each other improve, and Javier offers his coaching insights.
Legacy and Love: Javier’s refusal to ask Coral out because he has already had his love ties to Carrie’s reluctance to open her heart. Both father and daughter carry emotional armor, but Javier’s willingness to encourage Carrie to stay open suggests he hopes she will avoid his own regrets.
Confidence vs. Vulnerability: Carrie feels “nimble but mighty,” yet she bristles when Javier asks about her personal life. The plane scene reveals that beneath her fierce exterior, she is still uncomfortable with intimacy.
Threat of Rising Competition: Nicki Chan’s entry serves as a concrete obstacle that sharpens Carrie’s focus and motivates her to train harder.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter 22 advances the plot toward the French Open by establishing a new training dynamic: Carrie, Bowe, and Javier as a trio. It deepens the father–daughter relationship, showing both Javier’s protective love and his subtle loneliness. The chapter also reintroduces Nicki Chan as a major rival, raising stakes for the tournament. Finally, it captures Carrie at a moment of renewed self-belief, preparing the reader for the climactic battles ahead.

Study Questions

Why does Bowe propose training together in Paris instead of at Saddlebrook?
Bowe wants to prepare on clay for Roland-Garros, and he believes the trio can push each other. He also likely values Javier’s tactical input and Carrie’s intensity.
How does Javier’s interaction with Coral contrast with his advice to Carrie to keep her heart open?
Javier freely talks with Coral but does not pursue a relationship, citing that he has already had his love. This suggests he applies a different standard to himself than to Carrie, possibly because he sees her youth and potential for future connection.
What does Carrie’s reaction to Nicki Chan’s entry reveal about her mindset?
Carrie immediately sees Chan as a threat, especially on clay—Chan’s best surface. Rather than back down, Carrie reaffirms her own greatness, showing that the news reignites her competitive drive rather than intimidates her.

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