Chapter Text
Now, US Open Championships 2028
“Come one, come all—tennis fans of all ages, it’s the penultimate Slam of the year here at Ashe—the 2028 US Open! John Davenport here, bringing you the pre-tournament briefings—lots of new players, thrilling qualifiers, and surprise performances. Here with me is my good old buddy—you might have heard of him—David Johnson.”
“Thanks for the intro, John! What a year it has been for tennis. Familiar faces and unexpected stars have risen this season. Honestly, I’ve never been this excited! Tennis is a sport of surprises—we’ve seen Herculean efforts, David-and-Goliath storylines—but this year is. Just. Absolutely. Spectacular!”
“Right. On the men’s side—the great rivalry, once monopolized by the Big Three—is now headlined by the cunning Alcaraz–Sinner duo. David, what are your thoughts on this new era?”
“Sinner has been in top form, though injuries continue to nag him. Still, his tactical brilliance and ice-cold composure have been his greatest assets all year. Meanwhile, Alcaraz, ever the showman, keeps showing flashes of his resilience—his talent feels God-given at times—and of course, that drop shot of his might as well be trademarked.”
“I personally think for the next few years, maybe even the decade ahead, three things will be constant: death, taxes, and Alcaraz and Sinner at the top of the ATP rankings.”
“Right on, John. Now, to the WTA. Women’s tennis hasn’t been this alive in years—hell, I haven’t felt this level of excitement since Seles took down Graf at sixteen!”
“Way to reveal your age like that, David. But I agree wholeheartedly—wildcard Sophia Laforteza has been the talk of the season. Ever since March, she’s shocked the tennis world, taking out Slam champions one after another—the likes of Keys, Swiatek, and Ostapenko—a run that can only be described as seismic.”
“And run she did—from a wildcard entry to consistently making the quarterfinals, collecting a few titles along the way, from 500s to 1000s. Then—back-to-back Slams at Roland Garros and Wimbledon! That skyrocketed her to a career high, and just a month later, she broke into the Top 10—in her rookie season.”
“Truly astonishing, that kid. But the 2028 US Open, as we’ve said, is full of surprises. Former world No. 1 Daniela Avanzini returns after her extended break following that devastating injury in Paris, where she was forced to retire and skip Wimbledon. Now, back in perfect health, she’s aiming for one more prize missing in her trophy cabinet—her first US Open title.”
“Avanzini has always been a fan favorite, John. I’ve followed her career since juniors—that girl’s a lion! I was even there when she won Melbourne at 21. Truly amazing to see her glide across the court, almost as if she’s dancing—”
The television cut off, Daniela’s gaze drifting toward the open door.
“Shit, Dani, I know you’ve got an ego, but listening to people fawn over you is honestly—”
“Manon.” Daniela sat up from her yoga mat, irritated at the interruption to her mobility stretching. The phantom—or not so phantom—pain in her elbow was still there. It lingered like grit in your throat, or a stain that never quite washed out, making her wince. “What do you want?”
“Can’t a girl just say hi?” Manon plopped onto the stationary bike and snapped a picture of her, no doubt for her socials. “Anyway, your coach let me in. Said you haven’t left the gym all day.”
“He’s exaggerating,” Daniela rolled her eyes so far back she half-worried they’d get stuck. “Besides, this is my comeback. Losing in the first round is not exactly on my bucket list.”
“Not even making it there because you re-injure yourself would be worse, but I digress.” Manon tossed her a towel. “What’s really bugging you, Dani? I’m your best friend—I’ve seen you at your grossest—”
Daniela hurled the sweaty towel back, laughing when it landed square on Manon’s face.
“I’m okay. I’m fine. I’m a champion.”
“Okay, remember when I told you to give a girl a warning before slipping into your whole elite-athlete-pro-champion mode? It seriously creeps me out,” Manon teased, trying to hide her laughter, but failing.
“I’m really fine, Manon.”
“Sophia’s fine.”
“Asshole.”
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Then, US Open Juniors Championships, 2024
“We’re working volleys today—chill, easy, relaxed. Back to the basics. I know how you girls get when nerves creep in, but handle them today, and tomorrow you’ll tear up the court—or for some of you, make it your stage.”
Sohey, their coach, let the words hang in the air. Her eyes flicked toward Daniela.
Everyone knew Daniela Avanzini wasn’t just another junior—she was the junior. Having lifted the US Open Juniors trophy the year before without dropping a single set, she’d carved herself a reputation as untouchable. Her game was ruthless, clinical, but elegant in execution.
Last year’s final had already entered folklore: Daniela dismantled Lexie Levin in a double-bagel, leaving the court in less than an hour and a half—awards ceremony and photo-ops included. The moment the second serve whistled past Levin, sealing the match.
“Okay,” Sohey began again, clipboard in hand. “Fair warnings about possible finals opponents this year.”
The other juniors trailed out, chatting about practice or classes, their futures uncertain—some destined for college varsity teams just to not crack the top 200, others destined for mediocrity or boredom. Daniela never even considered that path. In her mind, there was only one horizon: the pro tour.
In her cohort, only one truly kept her honest—Megan Skiendel, a year younger, relentless and unpredictable, the kind of player who hit shots that shouldn’t even be possible. Daniela had to sprint for balls she shouldn’t even need to touch when she faced Megan.
“First: Adela Jergova,” Sohey continued. “Tall. Lethal serve. A machine from the baseline. But she tires, and once she’s frustrated, she’s gone.”
Daniela nodded absently, sipping from her electrolytes. Half her mind absorbed Sohey’s advice, but the other half was already picturing her sparring session with Megan later—visualizing angles, anticipating where the girl might carve her forehands.
“Second, Ezrela Abraham,” Sohey added. “She lives at the net, so go deep, go long. Don’t feed her any approach shots.”
Daniela’s focus drifted toward Court 3, where a doubles match was finishing. The umpire’s voice rang out:
Game. Set. Match. Laforteza and Auramornrat.
Daniela blinked, chewing a protein bar. “Are any of those two in singles?” she asked, words muffled through her bite.
“Sophia and Marquise? Don’t think so,” Sohey replied. “But they’re deadly in doubles.”
Daniela’s gaze lingered a beat too long on one of the victors—jet-black hair pulled tight, an all-red outfit, and a smile that looked more like a challenge than celebration.
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JUST IN: Avanzini and Laforteza—Old Rivals, Old Friends
By Janice Holmes
Flushing Meadows — The 2028 US Open isn’t just a celebration of the sport’s future—it’s also a reunion of two players whose paths first crossed in the back courts of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center four years ago.
Daniela Avanzini, the fiery Cuban-Venezuelan known for her balletic movement and steely composure, and Sophia Laforteza, the Filipino breakout star whose wildcard rise has shocked the tennis world, go way back—to the juniors.
In fact, sharp-eyed fans may recall a 2024 juniors doubles match where Laforteza, partnered with Thailand’s Marquise Auramornrat, stormed through the first round while Avanzini was sharpening her singles dominance on the neighboring court. It was one of those fleeting moments—two teenagers unknowingly sharing the same stage before their careers exploded.
Since then, the two have carved out remarkable, if very different, journeys. Avanzini, long tipped as a prodigy, fulfilled much of her promise early, winning Melbourne at just 21 and becoming World No. 1 before injuries temporarily sidelined her. Laforteza, on the other hand, stunned the tennis world with a rocket rise from wildcard to Slam champion in her rookie season.
Pictures have resurfaced from 2024 of the two celebrating their respective championships in the gala night, appearing as close as best friends. In an old interview, Laforteza was quoted saying she’s a die-hard Avanzini fan:
‘Dani’s a lion. It’s such a pleasure sharing the court with her. We push each other, we laugh a lot—sometimes we forget we’re supposed to be rivals. I’m a fan, to be honest.’
The two shared a healthy rivalry alternating junior championships before Laforteza went off to college in Stanford for her collegiate career, and Avanzini joined the pro tour early on.
As the 2028 US Open kicks into high gear, fans are already buzzing over a potential Avanzini–Laforteza showdown. But whether as opponents or allies, their bond reminds us of what tennis is really about: respect, resilience, and the friendships forged along the way.
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Now, US Open Championships 2028
“This is a fucking ploy.” Daniela almost crushes her phone, seething at the article. This was a move by Sophia, she knows it. A way to throw history right at her face, to throw her off. To take her off balance.
“Babe, not everything Sophia does is about you.” Manon laughs.
“But it is,” Daniela almost destroys her racket before deciding it’s not worth it (and also because of the twinge of pain in her elbow). “It literally fucking is.”
“It’s literally not.”