Chapter 37: One Year Later: Chan vs. Cortez – 1996 US Open Final
⚠️ 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
Chapter 37 opens at the 1996 US Open final between Nicki Chan and Gabriella Cortez. The deciding set is tied 5–4. If Nicki breaks Cortez’s serve, she will set a new record of 23 Grand Slam singles titles. Carrie Soto sits in the players’ box next to Bowe Huntley and Nicki’s parents. Nicki’s new girlfriend, who dislikes Carrie, is also present. As Nicki returns Cortez’s forehand with a slice, Carrie recognizes the Soto Slice—the first skill she taught Nicki. Carrie recalls early training sessions: Nicki initially resisted improving her volleys, arguing her baseline game was enough, but Carrie insisted and Nicki eventually complied. Carrie also remembers advising Nicki to rest her ankle for longevity. Nicki complained yet always listened. Carrie draws a parallel to her own father, Javier Soto, realizing how hard it must have been for him to sit in the stands, powerless. She reflects on the gift of guiding a player and then letting them finish the match themselves. Now Nicki has championship point. She looks at Carrie, who nods. Nicki smiles and nods back. Cortez serves. Bowe whispers that Nicki has it. Carrie prays as Nicki pulls back and swings.
Key Events
- The match stands at 5–4 in the final set; Nicki needs one more point to break Cortez and win the title.
- Carrie, in the players’ box, witnesses Nicki executing the Soto Slice.
- A flashback reveals Carrie teaching Nicki the slice and volleys, and Nicki’s initial reluctance.
- Carrie thinks about her father’s role as her coach, realizing the anxiety of being a spectator.
- Nicki earns championship point, looks to Carrie for acknowledgment, and receives it.
- The chapter ends on a cliffhanger as Nicki swings at Cortez’s serve.
Character Development
Carrie transitions fully from player to coach, grappling with the loss of control that comes with mentoring. She gains a deeper appreciation for her father’s patience and faith in her. Nicki shows growth by accepting Carrie’s coaching, especially on net play and injury management, proving she trusts Carrie despite her outward defiance. The parallel between Carrie and Javier underscores a cycle of mentorship and inheritance.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Mentorship and Letting Go: The chapter highlights the emotional burden of coaching—Carrie can only guide, not play, for Nicki. Her reflection on her father emphasizes the difficulty of relinquishing control.
- Legacy and The Soto Slice: The Soto Slice symbolizes the transfer of knowledge from one generation to the next. Nicki’s use of it ties her success to Carrie’s teachings.
- Record-Breaking as Threshold: Nicki’s potential 23rd Slam represents a shifting of tennis history; Carrie’s own records are now being surpassed, reinforcing the theme of time passing and new champions rising.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter shows the culmination of Carrie’s arc from retired champion to dedicated coach. It provides emotional payoff for her decision to train Nicki, illustrating how mentorship, while passive, can be as rewarding as playing. The cliffhanger ending heightens tension and sets up the resolution of Nicki’s historic achievement. The chapter also deepens Carrie’s connection to her father, giving her a new perspective on his sacrifices.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Carrie recall her father during the match?
Carrie realizes how difficult it must have been for Javier Soto to sit helplessly in the stands while she played. She now experiences the same anxiety and lack of control as a coach, gaining empathy for his past patience and trust in her.
2. What does the Soto Slice represent in this chapter?
The Soto Slice is a direct symbol of the skills and knowledge Carrie has passed to Nicki. It shows that Nicki has incorporated Carrie’s techniques, and it ties the younger player’s success to Carrie’s legacy.
3. How does Nicki’s attitude toward coaching change from the flashback to the present?
In the flashback, Nicki resists working on her volley game, insisting her baseline play is sufficient. In the present, she executes the Soto Slice—a volley-based move—demonstrating that she ultimately accepted Carrie’s training and adapted her game.
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