I shook my head, my fingers curling into a tight fist. “There’s absolutely no evidence of that. I have never, ever knowingly used anything like that to get ahead.”
“Knowingly?” She raised an eyebrow. “So, there’s a chance? There are reports that you’ve taken undeclared medications.”
“Absolutely not,” I said bitterly. “I’ve worked incredibly hard for everything I’ve achieved. My team and I are focused and any success is only because of their efforts.”
Where did this speculation come from? Was it somebody I knew making this up?
“Can that really be true? Given the similar reports of discord in your team? The recent departure of two members in such a short period of time?”
I stood up from the table, sick of listening to this bullshit. It was bad enough that it was online, but I refused to sit and take it in a conference. I should be riding high from the win, should be preparing to fight Inés, because that was going to take every bit of strength I had.
“I’m not going to answer anything that’s to do with speculation online,” I said. I couldn’t help but think of everything being reported. How it had grown past the point of control. “It’s unprofessional to be engaging with the troll behavior I’ve had to watch grow, and even harder for my loved ones to suffer it.”
I stormed out of the press room, dodging Calvin and the waiting guard. Instead, I found myself pacing the corridor outside the players’ lounge, scanning for her.
I needed to see Inés. Iwantedto see her. But what would I even say?
Congratulations? Good luck? Please can we pretend like this isn’t happening so I can kiss you like everything isn’t about to blow up?
And the accusations of doping? Why did everything feel like it was spinning out of control?
I couldn’t bear the idea of losing. I wanted this more than I wanted my next breath. I had been dreaming of this trophy since I was a girl; my parents used to take me along to this tournament. The four of us would crowd around the TV and watch the final.
This was everything I’d dreamed of.
Now the woman I loved stood in my way.
But at the same time, I knew how much all this meant to her. The thought made me feel sick, my nerves too messy to untangle, my focus slipping through my fingers. I exhaled slowly, pressing a hand to my stomach in an attempt to steady myself. But the truth was clear: I needed to see her.
And then my dad turned the corner.
“We need to talk.”
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GIRL-ON-GIRL ACTION: COSTA AND MURPHY TO PLAY EACH OTHER IN SEMI-FINAL
In a dramatic twist, Chloe Murphy and Inés Costa are set to face off in the US Open semi-finals. The pair, who have been the subject of intense speculation over their off-court relationship in recent weeks, will now battle it out for a spot in the final. With their chemistry under scrutiny and their rivalry heating up, this match is guaranteed to be unmissable!
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@Ballkidconfidential: OMG? GIRLFRIEND SHOWDOWN! #ChloNes
@GameSetSnark: Imagine if they break up ON THE COURT
@Slicemebaby: THAT WOULD BE THE PERFECT WAY TO END A PR RELATIONSHIP
@Dropshotdrama: I miss when tennis was only about tennis and not some nepo baby throwing a tantrum on court #ChloNes
@InesCostaFansOnly: Have you seen who Chloe’s mom is? Bitchiness must run in the family.
@oncourtbaddie: Inés would be better off breaking up with her before they go out. Then at least she’d win.
@thetennisedit: Honestly this relationship is so annoying.
@AceCounter_X: If she embarrasses Inés, she won’t be safe anywhere.
@UnforcedBot: Chloe better throw the match unless she wants to see what a racket can really do to somebody’s body.
