tennis slash - The Unlucky Roger Federer (15)
Title: The Unlucky Roger Federer (15)
Author: Kris S.
Fandom: Tennis RPS
Pairing: Roger Federer/Andy Roddick
Other Characters: Mirka Vavrinec
Disclaimer: This definitely did not happen.
Rating: PG-13
Summary: AU. What if Roger Federer wasn't the great champion? What if his career was plagued by injuries, bad luck and constantly losing to a certain American?
Author's Notes: This Wimbledon will not mirror what happened to Andy this year (he'd lost in the second round to Tipsy). Anything else - read on. I just want to thank everyone who has commented and those who are too shy to say anything. I really appreciate the comments - it's kept me going while real life has been difficult.
Part 15
In an ideal ending for the public, the Wimbledon final would have been a showdown between Andy and Roger. It would have been the thing that would settle the critics once and for all. Probably at the expense of their relationship, despite what either of them said.
That match-up almost happened. Although Roger got to the final, this time having no specific issue with facing Marat in the semis, Andy did not. Rafa was on a roll and Andy was just in the way. Roger could see that Andy was giving everything he could on the court. But there's a reason Rafa's been number one for several years.
It wasn't as if Rafa was an easier opponent - by no means, as he'd proven in their French Open final - but at least it was less taxing on the nerves or the heart.
The night after the semis was the first time Andy had come over since their encounter before the tournament. It made sense not to see each other while they were both alive in the draw, though it was a surprise to see Andy at his door before the final.
Roger realized he didn't know this Andy. He had seen times when Andy was down after a loss but this wasn't an ordinary loss. This Andy was in need of a hug, which Roger obliged.
Andy said, voice muffled by Roger's shoulder, "It shouldn't be a big deal to lose to Nadal. Everyone else loses to him. But I was hoping..."
"He's on a roll right now. I'm not sure anyone can stand in Rafa's way."
Andy pulled away, suddenly very emphatic when speaking. "No, no. He's beatable. I just don't have the game to beat him at the moment. I was lucky to even make the semis because I'm not at the top of my game. He's beginning to wear out from all those matches. You might be catching him at the right time. I guarantee you this is not the same player that destroyed every opponent at the French."
"You forget I was one of those opponents?"
"No, I remember. I just want you to forget. This is your chance to shine." Andy gave Roger a quick kiss, then added in a threatening voice, "It may never happen again."
* * * * *
Even though Roger could see what Andy meant about Rafa's game, it didn't mean the Spaniard had nothing left for the final. Rafa won the first set 6-4 and was ahead 4-2 in the second set tiebreak.
It was during the changing of sides that Roger noticed Mirka in the friends and family box. She hadn't been there earlier or, for that matter, during any of his other matches. She was sitting next to his current manager yet looked more relaxed than he'd seen her in years.
Roger wasn't quite sure why that was motivating but he proceeded to win five of the next six points to take the tiebreak, then immediately broke Nadal's serve in the third. That was all that was needed to take the third set, even though Rafa was putting more pressure on Roger's service games, determined to break without success.
That determination carried into the fourth set, which Rafa dominated 6-2.
This is going to a fifth set, folks. An exciting showdown. One set to determine the Wimbledon champ. Will Roger Federer be able to recover from that fourth set or will the momentum stay with Rafael Nadal?
At the next changeover, Roger was taking in the crowd. Andy was right about one thing; he couldn't blow another chance. For all the injuries and bad luck that had taken place, he'd still had chances to be at the top with a title.
A particular baseball cap in the crowd caught Roger's eye. It couldn't be...
This match is bringing out everything. Even Nadal's last opponent, Andy Roddick, is now here. Who do you think he's rooting for?
Andy tipped his cap when he realized Roger spotted him. He looked almost embarassed to get discovered.
Although Rafa was still on, Roger was able to fight off four break points in one game and fifteen-forty down another game to keep on serve.
5-4 Federer. Rafael Nadal is serving to stay in the match.
It wasn't until this very moment that Roger realized he had the advantage of serving first. That he could capitalize on one game and he wouldn't have to worry about a reply.
He went over the game plan then glanced back at the pushed-down baseball cap in the crowd. Andy was staring at the ground, too nervous to watch.
Roger got into position, muttering, "Get four returns in play. That's all you need."
* * * * *
Andy was still taking advantage of the room card, bursting in the room to say, "You blew five match points."
"Thank you for pointing that out," Roger said dryly, fixing his tie while looking in the mirror.
"The fourth one was the worst. Easy volley right into the net."
"I know. I was there."
Andy watched Roger, then came up behind him and wrapped his arms around. "You have to beat me on the court, you know. That's the only way you can truly shake the labels."
Roger smiled brightly as he pointed out, "Funny, I think I like the label 'current Wimbledon Champion'. 2008 Wimbledon Champ. I can live with that. Why would I want to get rid of the label?"
"You didn't beat me to do it so it doesn't count."
"Don't think that will always be true."
Andy rested his chin on Roger's shoulder. "I can't get in your brain anymore?"
"I didn't say that. Just that now I can act out what I'm picturing."
"Can you maybe act it out now?"
"No. Champions Ball. But I will afterwards." Roger turned his head, giving Andy a kiss.
"You know you're a lucky bastard, right?"
end
Author: Kris S.
Fandom: Tennis RPS
Pairing: Roger Federer/Andy Roddick
Other Characters: Mirka Vavrinec
Disclaimer: This definitely did not happen.
Rating: PG-13
Summary: AU. What if Roger Federer wasn't the great champion? What if his career was plagued by injuries, bad luck and constantly losing to a certain American?
Author's Notes: This Wimbledon will not mirror what happened to Andy this year (he'd lost in the second round to Tipsy). Anything else - read on. I just want to thank everyone who has commented and those who are too shy to say anything. I really appreciate the comments - it's kept me going while real life has been difficult.
Part 15
In an ideal ending for the public, the Wimbledon final would have been a showdown between Andy and Roger. It would have been the thing that would settle the critics once and for all. Probably at the expense of their relationship, despite what either of them said.
That match-up almost happened. Although Roger got to the final, this time having no specific issue with facing Marat in the semis, Andy did not. Rafa was on a roll and Andy was just in the way. Roger could see that Andy was giving everything he could on the court. But there's a reason Rafa's been number one for several years.
It wasn't as if Rafa was an easier opponent - by no means, as he'd proven in their French Open final - but at least it was less taxing on the nerves or the heart.
The night after the semis was the first time Andy had come over since their encounter before the tournament. It made sense not to see each other while they were both alive in the draw, though it was a surprise to see Andy at his door before the final.
Roger realized he didn't know this Andy. He had seen times when Andy was down after a loss but this wasn't an ordinary loss. This Andy was in need of a hug, which Roger obliged.
Andy said, voice muffled by Roger's shoulder, "It shouldn't be a big deal to lose to Nadal. Everyone else loses to him. But I was hoping..."
"He's on a roll right now. I'm not sure anyone can stand in Rafa's way."
Andy pulled away, suddenly very emphatic when speaking. "No, no. He's beatable. I just don't have the game to beat him at the moment. I was lucky to even make the semis because I'm not at the top of my game. He's beginning to wear out from all those matches. You might be catching him at the right time. I guarantee you this is not the same player that destroyed every opponent at the French."
"You forget I was one of those opponents?"
"No, I remember. I just want you to forget. This is your chance to shine." Andy gave Roger a quick kiss, then added in a threatening voice, "It may never happen again."
* * * * *
Even though Roger could see what Andy meant about Rafa's game, it didn't mean the Spaniard had nothing left for the final. Rafa won the first set 6-4 and was ahead 4-2 in the second set tiebreak.
It was during the changing of sides that Roger noticed Mirka in the friends and family box. She hadn't been there earlier or, for that matter, during any of his other matches. She was sitting next to his current manager yet looked more relaxed than he'd seen her in years.
Roger wasn't quite sure why that was motivating but he proceeded to win five of the next six points to take the tiebreak, then immediately broke Nadal's serve in the third. That was all that was needed to take the third set, even though Rafa was putting more pressure on Roger's service games, determined to break without success.
That determination carried into the fourth set, which Rafa dominated 6-2.
This is going to a fifth set, folks. An exciting showdown. One set to determine the Wimbledon champ. Will Roger Federer be able to recover from that fourth set or will the momentum stay with Rafael Nadal?
At the next changeover, Roger was taking in the crowd. Andy was right about one thing; he couldn't blow another chance. For all the injuries and bad luck that had taken place, he'd still had chances to be at the top with a title.
A particular baseball cap in the crowd caught Roger's eye. It couldn't be...
This match is bringing out everything. Even Nadal's last opponent, Andy Roddick, is now here. Who do you think he's rooting for?
Andy tipped his cap when he realized Roger spotted him. He looked almost embarassed to get discovered.
Although Rafa was still on, Roger was able to fight off four break points in one game and fifteen-forty down another game to keep on serve.
5-4 Federer. Rafael Nadal is serving to stay in the match.
It wasn't until this very moment that Roger realized he had the advantage of serving first. That he could capitalize on one game and he wouldn't have to worry about a reply.
He went over the game plan then glanced back at the pushed-down baseball cap in the crowd. Andy was staring at the ground, too nervous to watch.
Roger got into position, muttering, "Get four returns in play. That's all you need."
* * * * *
Andy was still taking advantage of the room card, bursting in the room to say, "You blew five match points."
"Thank you for pointing that out," Roger said dryly, fixing his tie while looking in the mirror.
"The fourth one was the worst. Easy volley right into the net."
"I know. I was there."
Andy watched Roger, then came up behind him and wrapped his arms around. "You have to beat me on the court, you know. That's the only way you can truly shake the labels."
Roger smiled brightly as he pointed out, "Funny, I think I like the label 'current Wimbledon Champion'. 2008 Wimbledon Champ. I can live with that. Why would I want to get rid of the label?"
"You didn't beat me to do it so it doesn't count."
"Don't think that will always be true."
Andy rested his chin on Roger's shoulder. "I can't get in your brain anymore?"
"I didn't say that. Just that now I can act out what I'm picturing."
"Can you maybe act it out now?"
"No. Champions Ball. But I will afterwards." Roger turned his head, giving Andy a kiss.
"You know you're a lucky bastard, right?"
end