Characters
Who is Carrie Soto’s father, and what role does he play in her life?
Javier Soto; her coach and emotional anchor.
What matters more to Carrie than being liked?
Winning.
What record of Carrie’s is under threat?
Her Grand Slam singles titles record.
What does Carrie sacrifice for success?
Relationships and emotional connection.
Why does TJR use journalist, commentators and sports page headlines as narrators?
To show us public perception of Carrie.
Which current player’s success threatens Carrie’s record early in the novel?
Nicki Chan.
How does Carrie measure her self-worth?
Titles, trophies, records.
Why is Nicki Chan a symbolic threat to Carrie, what does she represent?
She represents the next generation surpassing her.
How does Carrie view emotional softness in competitors?
As weakness.
Why start the novel before Carries Comeback?
to establish motivation and what is at stake.
How do reporters and commentators typically describe Carrie?
Cold, ruthless, intimidating, obsessive. The Battle Axe
What fear surfaces when Nicki Chan approaches her record?
Being forgotten or replaced.
How does Carrie prepare differently from most players?
Obsessive analysis and strategic precision.
What cost does Javier Soto knowingly accept for Carrie’s success?
Her loneliness.
What was the name of the shoe line Carrie made with Adidas?
The Break Points
Who pushes Carrie the hardest on the court and seems to always be ranked above her at #1?
Stepanova
Why does retirement leave Carrie feeling empty?
Without competition, she lacks purpose.
After Carrie beats Stepanova in the Australian Open, what is one of the headlines in the paper the next day?
The Cold War Continues on the Court.
The Man who taught Carrie Soto everything she knows
Soto wins Slams, but Stepanova takes more titles.
Carrie says to her dad "You've raised me to be the very best. That means number one, and I'm not yet. Do you think I can beat her, Dad? Yes or No?"
How does Javier respond?
"I don't know."
What were the name of the two men who were Carries love interest?
Beau Huntley and Brandon Randall
what was the name of the book Carrie's dad wrote?
Beautiful Fundamentals
What internal conflict begins forming before her comeback?
Legacy vs. physical and emotional cost.
What does tennis represent for Carrie beyond sport?
Identity, control, proof of worth.
Who does Carrie hire as her coach and what specific improvements does he make in Carries game?
Cross training, faster and stronger, but puts a jump in her serve.
What was ironic about the nickname of carries love interest who was ranked #1 in the ATP?
Known as the Nice Guy of Tennis, but was married and got caught cheating on his wife, Nina Riva.