Chapter 28 Summary: Three Weeks Until Wimbledon

⚠️ 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

Carrie Soto arrives in London three weeks before Wimbledon. A brief moment with fans and a nostalgic drive past the All England Club reinforce her connection to the tournament where she holds the record for most wins. She checks into her hotel, calls the hospital where her father Javier is recovering, and speaks with Bowe, who relays Javier’s advice: find joy on the grass rather than chasing perfection. The next morning Carrie practices alone, rediscovering the feel of grass. She encounters Nicki Chan at the practice facility. They exchange tense but revealing words, and Carrie unexpectedly agrees to have a drink at the Savoy. Later that night, Carrie watches her own tape from the French Open final against Antonovich, painfully recognizing her mistakes. She wakes early and drills with a ball machine, recalling her father’s lessons about making form automatic. Nicki watches and compliments her grace. That evening at the Savoy, Carrie and Nicki share a raw conversation about the pressures of fame, their mutual resentment, and the strange respect growing between them. Nicki admits she needs a great opponent; Carrie realizes she needs this fight. The chapter closes with Carrie on the morning of her first match, surprised by the arrival of her girlfriend Gwen.

Key Events

Carrie lands at Heathrow, waves at fans, and drives past Wimbledon.
She calls the hospital; Bowe relays Javier’s advice.
Her first practice session on grass fills her with joy and confidence.
Nicki Chan appears at the same facility; Carrie reluctantly accepts a drink invitation.
Carrie watches the Paris final tape, acknowledging she choked.
She wakes at 4 a.m., trains alone for three hours, and experiences a return of her best form.
Nicki watches and praises her tennis.
At the Savoy, Carrie and Nicki discuss the isolation of fame, racial and homophobic comments, and their respective legacies.
Nicki states she needs Carrie to push her; Carrie admits she came back to fight.
Two days before Wimbledon, Carrie and her father map out the draw, strategizing potential opponents including Antonovich and Chan.
Bowe introduces the Self 1 vs. Self 2 concept to help Carrie quiet her mind.
Gwen surprises Carrie on the morning of her first match.

Character Development

Carrie Soto: Shows vulnerability away from the court (crying alone, missing her father) and a willingness to connect with a rival. Her training notes and tactical planning demonstrate discipline; her acceptance of Nicki’s friendship hints at growth.
Nicki Chan: Reveals the burden of being number one, the pain of never being seen as good enough, and a desire for genuine competition. Her honesty with Carrie deepens character.
Javier Soto: Though physically absent, his coaching voice remains central. His advice about joy and tactical breakdown of the draw underscores his role as Carrie’s lifelong anchor.
Bowe Huntley: Provides emotional support and introduces psychological strategy (Self 1/Self 2), showing his deepening importance as both a partner and a mentor figure.
Gwen: Her surprise arrival offers Carrie comfort and love, highlighting the importance of personal relationships outside tennis.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Grass as a Second Home: The All England Club and its grass courts symbolize Carrie’s identity and mastery. The “joy of grass” represents her pure love of the game.
Muscle Memory and Repetition: The mirror-drill anecdote illustrates how Javier’s training made Carrie’s form instinctive, freeing her mind for strategy.
Rivalry as Catalyst: Carrie and Nicki’s mutual need for a worthy opponent transforms competition into a force that raises both players.
The Cost of Fame: Both women discuss losing themselves to public opinion, racism, and the pressure to be marketable.
Quieting the Inner Critic: Bowe’s Self 1/Self 2 advice and Carrie’s decision to “listen to her instincts” set up her mental preparation for Wimbledon.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter 28 marks a turning point in Carrie’s mental and emotional state. She reconciles with her loss in Paris by studying it, makes peace with the possibility of facing Nicki Chan, and strengthens her strategic plan with her father’s help. The chapter also deepens the rivalry into a reluctant friendship, raising the stakes for the Wimbledon final. The introduction of Bowe’s psychological coaching and Gwen’s surprise visit show Carrie building a support network beyond her father, preparing her for the matches ahead.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Carrie initially refuse to stop and look at Wimbledon from the car, and what does this reveal about her mindset?
Carrie tells the driver not to stop—she just wants to see the courts from the window. This shows that she is avoiding overwhelming emotion. Seeing the venue from a distance allows her to feel her connection to the tournament without confronting the full weight of expectation.

2. How does the conversation at the Savoy change the dynamic between Carrie and Nicki?
They move from open hostility to mutual recognition. Nicki admits she needs a true rival to push her, and Carrie realizes that her own comeback is partly fueled by the need to fight. By the end, they agree to be “mates,” underscoring that their rivalry will sharpen both players.

3. What is the significance of Bowe’s “Self 1, Self 2” concept for Carrie’s game?
Self 1 is the critical, overthinking voice; Self 2 is the instinctive, trained body. Bowe suggests Carrie stop trying to prove herself and instead let muscle memory take over. Carrie writes it down and commits to quieting her inner critic, which addresses her choking in Paris.