Original subtitles

It's semi-finals day at the French Open,

and a very partisan crowd here

for the favorite Cecile Bisset.

Up against her, the young Brit

and first time Grand Slammer, Justine Pearce.

Champion Bisset takes on Britain's new hope

in the form of Justine Pearce,

a powerful young player

who has made a shocking rise to stardom

in this tournament.

Cecile! Justine!

Come on, Justine!

Love you, Justine!

How does that feel?

If there is any pain...

No it feels good, strong.

Good.

All right.

Cecile's got everyone in her corner today.

I've got you.

I don't care about anybody else.

What you have

comes from here.

It can't be analyzed and dissected.

I mean, it scares the shit out of me,

but this is your best weapon.

I thought that was my forehand.

Look, just... you're not listening to me.

Concentrate, Justine, please.

If you say so, old man.

You are two wins

away from your first Grand Slam title.

Now tell me, are you gonna beat her?

Oh you know what, Cecile's already won.

She's already won it!

- I've earned this! - Not enough!

I control it!

Yes, more, more!

- This is my court! - There you go.

I'm gonna burn through that bitch!

You're the fire, she's the fuel.

No, stop!

We've talked about this.

Your dad wants to see you before you go out.

Yeah, sweet, yeah.

Dad.

All right, love.

All good?

Yeah, are we?

Better than good.

We're formidable.

How's the wrist?

Yeah, we're in shape.

- Yeah? - Yeah, I mean...

That chick is toast.

Oh, I miss bread.

Well, win this match

and I'll sneak you a baguette.

Steve, let's get our seats.

OK.

See you out there.

Justine! Justine!

Come on, Justine!

Sorry I'm late.

- Hi. - Hello.

Yes!

Yes!

Come on!

Come on, Justine! Let's go!

Come on, Justine!

Yes!

Come on, Justine!

You've got this, Justine!

Come on, Justine! Let's go!

Come on, Justine!

Yes!

Tension is high in the stadium here

as we reach match point.

Yeah! Come on!

Fuck!

Chug, chug, chug!

Yeah!

Justine!

Oh babe, hey!

Hey!

Listen, listen, I've got to go.

I don't wanna go yet,

you said you'd play these guys next.

- It's fine, come on! - No...

These floors are slippy.

You'll be fine!

- Why are we out here? - I've called an Uber.

What? No!

You said you'd stay out with me tonight.

I've been here the whole time!

The final was over hours ago.

Glenn won, didn't he?

He made me swear not to tell you.

No, tell me.

Four sets.

But, it wasn't even that good.

Wow.

Well I'm actually fine about it.

But it's not even ten, I am gonna stay out.

I've got training first thing.

I'll be quiet.

Or I'll crash somewhere else.

OK.

Somewhere safe.

Yeah, somewhere safe. Mwah.

- Love you. - Love you.

Can I get a drink?

I actually take pictures of dogs,

is what I do.

So I'm... basically, like a dog photographer.

Like a phodographer, or whatever.

Wow, all right, so...

- Yeah. - What's your favorite breed?

My favorite breed?

That's tough. I like the one...

I like the ones that can sniff out cancer,

I think that's really sweet.

What?

No, close it!

Can you get up two questions for me, Robert.

How old are they?

- Mm. - Here you go.

Um... want me to run you a bath?

Are you always this nice

to people who show up

on the doorstep at 4am?

He should've locked you out.

He put fresh sheets on my bed.

You big softie.

Did you watch it?

Why would I fangirl over the coach who ditched me?

Oh don't be jealous.

Look, here it is.

This is the tie-break.

Oh, I was in floods.

This is it... the moment Gianluca Barzaghi

won the French Open yesterday.

What a match, what a player.

And what a moment for his British coach, Glenn Lapthorn.

Glenn, how do you feel?

Oh, total pride, really.

And adrenaline,

I mean nothing compares to these kind of...

Is it true, you're the only coach

to have taken on Barzaghi...

However it happens, sometimes players just cross paths...

The stars just align!

We did it! We did it!

And there he goes, the 2023 French Open champion,

Gianluca Barzaghi!

Yeah!

Luca! Luca! Luca!

Mom, I told you to leave my stuff where it is!

You're gonna be late, love!

All right, see you in court three!

Justine, you know you aren't meant to park there.

Jim I'll move it in a bit, I promise.

All right.

- Morning, Lizzie. - Hi.

Justine... here's your 11 o'clock tomorrow.

- OK. - Uh, James Clemence?

It was a bad shoulder, wasn't it?

Yeah, that was him. I remember.

How are you, anyway?

Yeah, I'm good. The teeniest bit hung over,

but good.

Hey.

- So, you made it in? - Yeah, just about.

- Good session? - Yeah, killer.

I'm gonna hit some serves with Sarah.

Nice.

I'm not late.

You look like shit.

Where the fuck did I put...

Thank you!

Beautiful. You got any gum?

No. Listen, about the gala.

The what?

To welcome the exchange students from Orlando.

Why do they need a gala?

Because it's part of the package.

Do you know how much money their parents pay

- to have 'em play here? - Oh, God.

Wait, listen.

Today's gonna be a bit... weird.

Weirder than cash cows in ball gowns?

Yeah...

OK, fine. Tell me later.

Will you get me a coffee for after, please.

OK.

Argh!

OK, must've been one hell of a serve.

Argh, just... just careful, please.

I've actually gotta be fit for play in a few weeks.

Grand Slam? It's on grass.

You might've heard of it?

OK, well there's no point

in manipulating the joint

when it's seized up.

Pain locks the muscles

around an injury to protect it.

As long as your mind is focused on the pain...

- ...they stay locked. - That's marvelous.

So we'll just be having a little chat

then for £90 an hour?

What do you want, entertainment?

OK, relax, relax, relax.

Ahh!

I listened to a podcast

about female fantasy the other week.

- Oh yeah? - Yep.

Sounds fun.

Do you know how many women fantasize about rape?

Well... a lot.

Over half of us.

And I don't know about you, but when I think about

a woman having that kind of fantasy,

I straight away imagine she's playing the victim, right?

I actually don't like getting into these conversations.

No, but think about it. She's playing both roles.

The rapist and the victim.

It's happening in her head, so she's in complete control.

There's no need for consent, because it's one person

playing out two separate desires,

which makes me wonder,

is it really a fantasy about rape,

or is it about women

allowing our aggressive sexual desires

to overwhelm us without guilt?

Wow, I guess I'd never really... thought about it like that.

Argh!

You're done.

Fix my body,

totally mess up my head. I like it.

It's a very good technique.

Did you learn that in physio school?

Mm-hm. I did indeed.

That's right, come on, pick it up!

You've organized the travel plans?

Yep, all sorted.

Great, so if they come straight to you...

- Yeah. - ...you can...

There you are! I believe this is mine.

Justine?

This is a timely reunion!

- Yeah, I was gonna say. - Yeah?

I thought you were in Paris.

I'm back.

Fresh from his spectacular triumph.

Ready to sprinkle a little stardust...

- ...on your Alma Mater. - What?

Well, big things are happening at Longwood,

there'll be an official announcement at the Gala.

But it looks like we're gonna be seeing a lot more

of Glenn in the future. Isn't that fantastic?

Oh, very exciting.

Excuse me.

Hey!

That was not how I meant things to happen.

So you're coming back to Longwood?

Yeah, yeah I am.

And I don't want things to be difficult between us.

You mean you don't want them to be difficult for you.

Oh god, you still think that

I just sailed off with another player

- after your injury, because... - No, I'm fine, now, actually.

- I've got on with things. - Good... me too.

Yeah, I hear you're scraping by.

Look, I've made things work...

...in my space.

Right, I mean, I started out at Longwood too.

So you're gonna play "Who Was Here First?"

No.

But I was.

Well your coaching career only started when you met me.

OK, Justine, I don't wanna argue.

No.

You should... enjoy your spectacular triumph.

It's good to see you again.

Argh, argh!

Justine! Justine!

My client agrees to answer all questions

and co-operate fully.

He categorically denies any wrongdoing

as per the allegations that he's been arrested for.

OK, so two days ago,

you and your family moved back to the UK?

That's correct.

And you've seen Miss Pearce

several times since then?

Yes, I bumped into her.

You didn't threaten her in any way?

Oh for heaven's sakes... No, of course not.

Threaten her how?

Miss Pearce had found out

about your imminent return to Longwood.

As you said, she was in a state of shock.

you knew she'd kept quiet so far about the alleged offenses.

This is ludicrous!

I was her coach.

That's all there was to it.

You can't be in here unsupervised!

It calms me down.

Sometimes I need to be calmed down.

Like when a friend has fucked me over.

I thought I'd have time to warn you.

You know how I feel about him. He abandoned me.

Come on, you let him go.

Are you actually defending him?

No, no, no I'm just saying that...

Well, you didn't stick with the rehab.

Well it's not just the tennis, Steve.

I know things went further than they should have.

Don't come to the gala.

Not if seeing him makes you feel like this.

A load of sponsorship freebies came for you earlier.

Oh, help yourself.

How was your, "early night"?

Oh, it was fine.

So Neil came over?

Yeah, it wasn't planned, it was just...

Oh my God. Enough with the romance, Renee.

You know we broke up right?

Yeah and how many times

do you have to break up before you stop fucking him?

Oh my God.

What?

Glenn's back.

Yeah... I saw him.

When?

Today.

It was actually fine.

Yeah it was fine.

I feel like...

I can probably put that mess behind me now.

That's amazing.

And you know what? He's actually...

He's going gray.

He is, isn't he?

Yeah, fuck him.

I'm the first to say

that our relationship was powerful.

Did it go beyond the strictly professional?

Yes, we were friends.

We were part of each other's lives.

But it was never sexual.

You're saying she's twisting the facts?

No, no this isn't a distortion of events.

What Justine told you is fiction.

Pure and simple.

Why would she invent a story like this?

I think maybe it helps her live

with what actually happened.

Look you've gotta remember,

Justine was one of the most exciting tennis stars

of her generation, and she lost everything.

Now the world doesn't revolve around her anymore.

She's just like everyone else.

Right, guys, as quick as you can.

Just to table number four. Ian, can you put that...

Just up a bit more.

Thank you, we need flowers on every table, please.

- Then let's get the menus out. - Will do.

- Flowers over there. - All right.

Luca's excited for his first visit to Longwood,

and to meet you all, of course,

after he and I go head to head in exhibition match.

As for the official bit, just be a quick handshake.

Welcome to the wonderful world of wet grass courts.

Some applause. Hopefully nothing too embarrassing.

Don't be put off by the waiters, the silverware, the formalities.

This is your evening.

And we Brits don't bite.

- Do we Andi? - Well, only sometimes.

We don't have the teeth for it.

- You've got great teeth, Coach - Steve!

- Could you take that? - No problem.

- Ah, thanks for covering. - No problem.

- Clients all sorted? - More than sorted.

Converted. They're my clients now.

OK, see you Monday.

I'll be back in a few hours.

- Everything all right? - Justine can't make it tonight.

Oh, really?

That's a weight off my mind.

She's unpredictable at the best of times.

But thanks, thanks for letting me know.

OK.

Glenn, come on!

No you're not getting in.

Hey, I got in.

- How are you baby? - Yeah good, good.

The next time I saw her was nothing to do with me.

She followed me and my family to a garden center.

You didn't confront her?

No.

And why didn't you report it?

To the police?

Seems a bit much.

Stalking is a crime.

Look, I knew she'd have conflicted feelings about me.

In her head, I betrayed her.

I left her behind and achieved our dream with another player.

And do you see it that way?

Of course not.

What happened to Justine was a tragedy.

It's what every coach fears the most.

We thought it was tendonitis.

Underneath, there was a scaphoid fracture,

which splintered under the pressure of play.

Could Miss Pearce have recovered?

She could have.

She'd just turned 17. She had time.

But you know the press,

they put her through hell, and the pain,

it was affecting her state of mind.

After the French, she shut down.

She wouldn't engage in rehab. She couldn't cope.

I suppose me leaving was the final nail in the coffin,

but what could I do? I couldn't wait forever.

And yes, I have felt guilt over that.

Well, less now that she's accused me

of being some kind of sexual predator.

How do you imagine Justine was feeling that day?

I don't know. Jealous?

Seeing me happy with the family I love.

You told me to play with the kids. I'm doing...

She must've been angry, right?

She was building towards these

hurtful and horrible accusations.

I can't do everything alone.

- Always the same shit! - We were playing!

You're gonna kill me.

Why? Where are you?

I'm at this garden center.

I followed Glenn.

So, I have to kill you after I've bailed you out of prison

No, It's the best thing I've done.

Why's that?

Cos in my head, I kept thinking that he'd won.

That he had this perfect life, that he…

…got everything he wanted.

But, we both lost.

He's miserable.

And that makes it better?

- Sorry I'm not coming tonight. - Stupid gala for Americans

who are already too young and talented.

- Fuck them. - Yeah. Fuck them.

You're going on an actual date?

Yeah.

You might actually let someone get to know you?

I don't think would be a good idea.

Yeah. Good point. Love you.

Love you. Bye.

Oh, my God, he's so hot.

I've heard some weird shit about you.

Oh… Oh, God… All press is good press, though, right?

You know after ten years in PR

I thought so, but…

...not in your case.

You've had some pretty fucked-up dates!

Rumors spiral.

- It's a really small town. - Uh-huh.

You ever steal someone's keys,

make 'em arm-wrestle you to give 'em back?

Or come back from the loo

pretending to be your own twin sister?

so why are you here?

Why are you here?

You make me message you for months.

And, to be frank, I'm not usually

- the one that does the chasing. - So why did you?

I mean, look at you.

OK.

Plus, I really wanted to grab dinner.

Y'know, didn't want just a quick forgettable fuck.

It wouldn't be forgettable.

- Oh… - Oh… Was that weird?

Mmm. I like scars.

Oh, I get it.

You're a sicko.

Well, this was an accident.

It was a bus crash. I actually saved a guy's life.

You know, I know who you are. I work in sports PR.

It doesn't surprise me you'd lie about it.

Thanks.

I don't need your endorsement.

I mean, something like that is really hard to recover from.

Yeah, some people are hard to recover from.

Yeah, like Glenn Lapthorn?

Taking off for America like that.

Where's the loyalty?

Yeah, right?

And the press are all over him now.

Preppy little puppy dog.

I happen to know Glenn Lapthorn is a bit of a beast.

What do you know?

- A secret affair - What affair?

Oh my God.

Everyone was talking about it at the French Open.

His people really had to hush it up.

What French Open?

I heard the first rumors like three months ago.

Yeah, he's seeing someone here.

Why do you think he moved back from the US?

- The deal at Longwood? - No. As if!

Know how much money he'd be making in the States right now?

No. He is cashing out to be with his new lover.

I wonder if his wife even knows?

Bullshit.

- Why do you care? - Because you're wrong.

Glenn made a commitment to his kids.

He wouldn't leave them for anyone.

Sorry I have to go. I'm not really...

- Yeah, I don't feel too well. - I'm sorry.

Ooh, there she is!

Fashionably late.

You all right.

Ah Justine! Justine.

I couldn't believe it when Steve said you weren't coming.

You're such an important part of Glenn's story you know.

And it's your story too, of course.

Thanks, Khalida. Thank you.

- Glenn! She's here! - Ah!

You'll all recognize Justine Pearce.

Another great talent nurtured by our academy.

I'm the poster girl!

- Shall we get a drink. - Glad you made it, Justine.

Are you having an affair?

- Excuse me? - Justine. Justine!

- Stop talking. - Are you?

Please tell me you're on drugs!

No.

You were supposed to be on a date tonight.

Yeah it didn't really take off.

Because you knew he was here, and you couldn't stay away!

And why does everything still revolve around Glenn?

Glenn and I have a relationship...

There is no you and Glenn!

Glenn's life is Khalida, and the kids.

And Luca Barzaghi.

That used to be me. Now, I'm not even a player.

You're a brilliant physio.

Don't fucking say that. That's embarrassing.

I know when Glenn was coaching you, he was your whole world.

But that part of your life's over.

Don't get on top of it, you'll fuck up

everything else that's going for you.

- OK. - Justine!

Remember how everyone looked down on us, right?

I mean, we were the first scholarship kids here

and we had to be twice as good to be taken seriously.

But we showed them.

And we have to keep on showing them. And that means tonight.

So if you're gonna stay, don't lose it.

Promise?

- So what was all that about? - Oh, nothing to worry about.

We can't have that drama tonight,

with all the financiers here.

She's… I can handle Justine.

She's just readjusting to me being back.

- Can you give me five? - Go, go, go.

I need you and Luca on the court in

ten minutes ready to play.

He's gonna annihilate me.

Yes. That is entirely the point.

And erm… It's erm…

- That's how you get 15 and 30. - Mmm!

- A clock face for scoring. - Mmm…

- Can I pop in? - Help yourself.

- Thank you. - See ya, Carl.

- I'll see ya later. - Bye, Carl.

So… You're here?

Mmm, yeah, seems so.

I can't... If I can't be in the same room as Glenn,

how am I supposed to come to work?

Yeah.

Well, I'm in your corner.

Yeah?

Yeah.

Do you wanna see something fun?

- Yes. - Right, come on then.

Oh, my God, this is going to be fun.

What is this?

Oh, my... What are they doing?

I think they think they're playing tennis!

Please, ladies and gentlemen,

make your way to the stage for tonight's exhibition match.

Are you serious?

You're a world class athlete, Luca.

This is the first puff in six months, man.

How else do you suggest I get through this freak show?

We all appreciate you being here.

You said it's a big deal! Like Queens.

- Longwood's produced champions. - In the '50s, maybe.

Underneath all this ivy and champagne, it's minor league.

Nothing compared to the level at Silver Star.

You said you were happy for me to move back...

...to make this happen.

I changed my mind.

I'm based in Orlando. You should be.

It's too late for that now.

Why didn't you say any of this before?

I was winning the French Open.

Look, are you gonna be running back here all the time?

- It's my time, and my money! - We've no time to discuss it.

You're here to get your feet on some grass.

Right now we're due out for that exhibition match. Let's go.

- I'm not doing any of that. - What?

I'm not going to seal a deal for you that fucks my career.

Luca.

Show pony out.

It's no secret that British tennis

has been built on privilege.

And while we look back on Longwood's history with pride,

I want our future to be about excellence without borders.

Which is why I am delighted to announce that Longwood Academy

and Silver Star Academy in Orlando,

who have shared such a successful exchange program,

will now be formally linked.

These sister academies will provide a one-stop center

for world-class tennis players from Europe and the Americas.

And our partner joining us on this deal

is a coach who has shown what hard work, loyalty

and commitment can achieve.

And Longwood could... could not be prouder of him.

I am thrilled to announce Glenn Lapthorn,

who'll be joining our board as a director,

and rolling out his talent for creating champions.

- What is it? - Luca's gone home.

- He's feeling tired. - They're here for him.

- There's lots of great players. - No-one knows who they are!

- We need something for press. - Pick somebody else.

Oh, I'm so sorry, um, no,

it appears that, er, Gianluca

I'm afraid has had to bow out due to understandable fatigue.

Which actually gives us a great opportunity

to reunite Glenn with a Longwood alumna.

The 2018 French Open semi-finalist, Justine Pearce!

- It's fine, just say no. - Up for it, Justine?

Go on Justine!

Come on Justine!

I think that's a great idea.

Don't you?

Justine! Justine!

Come on up.

Woo!

Woo!

Come on Justine.

- Yah! - Oh!

Out!

Yes!

15-0.

Yeah!

Good shot.

Allez, baby!

That's 15 all.

Lucky.

Don't get cocky!

Argh!

Argh!

Argh...

Ah, fuck, fuck.

Shit!

- Argh! - Shit, shit.

- Is it your wrist? - Yeah, yeah.

Show me!

I'm so sorry.

I should never have agreed to this.

- So Neil came over? - Yeah, it wasn't planned.

No. Don't touch me!

You don't get to touch me!

Justine, wait!

- Hey, are you OK? - What happened?

No! No. I'm not OK!

Justine!

So, she hurt herself?

That wrist never recovered properly.

She overstretched.

I don't know if she's touched a racket all these years.

But getting on the court triggered her somehow.

Did you do or say anything

to cause her to run away?

I didn't do anything.

You've a gala full of witnesses who'll testify to that.

I tried to help her and she freaked out.

Can I help you?

Hello. I wanna report something that happened five years ago.

I was 16, and my tennis coach, Glenn Lapthorn,

sexually assaulted me.

It happened many, many times.

Take a seat, miss.

Someone will call you to take a statement.

Glenn's a professional, Dad.

He's never coached anyone in the top 20.

- So? - That's where we want to be.

You can't push me the way someone like Glenn can.

I've done everything I can for you.

That's what I'm saying.

Mr Pearce!

You've gotta trust me.

What an incredible job

you've been doing with your daughter.

I've been following her progress.

So impressed.

Justine. We meet at last.

Justine Pearce?

Justine is taking revenge against her life.

But I didn't make her choices, she did.

If you don't believe me. Talk to those close to her.

Talk to her mom and her oldest friend, Renee Okoye.

They'll tell you.

She's been unhappy for a very long time.

And seeing me, it just pushed her right to the edge.

Now she's decided to fling herself off it

and take me with her.

Justine is one of my oldest and best friends.

She's not just a friend, she's like family.

She's smart and she's brave.

I'd do anything for her.

Would you like me to repeat the question?

As a direct witness to their relationship at the time,

I must ask you to state your observations.

I think Justine wanted something to happen

between her and Glenn

and she was in love with him.

I think she still is.

What I saw was Glenn trying to manage Justine's advances,

not the other way round.

I don't even think she's realized

how serious this could get.

These things Justine's accused him of.

They're delusions.

Fantasies that have gotten out of control.