"How are we feeling?"

Leia's voice echoed as soon as I sat in the minivan. She sat in the passenger seat accompanied by two guys right behind her-one with a camera and the other with a mini microphone. She looked up from her phone, "big day today, huh?"

I half-smiled and looked over to the window. "You could say that."

"Come on, you can give Netflix a better reaction."

As much as I wanted to remain neutral, I couldn't help but scoff. "Sure thing."

The driver took off from the hotel almost immediately, but it didn't take long for Leia's strong Brazilian accent to start echoing again.

"They're gonna ask you about Navarro."

I didn't look forward. "Was already expecting this, yeah."

She didn't like my answer. Even without directly looking at her, I could feel the weight of her eyes over my shoulder.

"Is she attending?" I gave up and faced her.

Leia Barrichello, my PR manager, was responsible for everything media-related, including my participation in Netflix's BreakPoint. She was the daughter of a former Brazilian F1 driver, had a marketing degree from Yale, and owned one of the biggest sports PR startups. There was no one better to handle my career, although I was pretty aware I also wasn't the easiest client.

"Her team didn't want her image related to Netflix," she said. "Makes me wonder if it's related to the fact they've pretty much chosen a side on this feud."

I arched an eyebrow, leaning back in my seat. "Her family didn't pay for the good press?"

Leia crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing. "Élodie."

I shrugged, smirking. January is always a good time to be in Melbourne, so I rolled down my window, feeling the wind rush past my arm as I stuck it outside. "What? Just giving Netflix a better reaction."

It wasn't always easy to forget the Netflix crew trailing behind, but at important events, they usually kept a low profile to avoid being intrusive. Since the second part of the season would only come out in June, they were still covering moments to add on later.

Although it was supposed to be nerve-wracking, I never felt anxious before an event. Sure, the second season premiere of Break Point was exciting, especially since it was the first time I'd be featured in a tennis-related series, but it took a lot to get a real reaction out of me.

The Break Point premiere also signaled the start of the 2024 season. In a few days, the Australian Open would begin. It meant I was closer to my first Grand Slam victory-or my biggest downfall yet. That one takes a reaction out of me.

"I just received an e-mail," Leia said after a while. "A list with attendees. Raducanu, Alcaraz, and Rune have already checked in."

"What about Shelton?"

"Not attending, but..." She paused. "Zverev is. As we've discussed, try to keep your distance from him, okay?"

"You don't need to ask twice."

"Yeah, we've had enough feuds for one season. Let's start 2024 with a clean slate," Leia nodded. "I'll request that the press avoid photographing you with him, but I can't promise anything. He paid enough money to make the media forget his convictions."

"Guess he and Navarro have more alike than we imagined."

"Élodie, come on."

I rolled my eyes. "Oh, sure. Please disregard that part, Netflix."

The guys chuckled but didn't say anything.

"A few influencers and Aussie celebrities were invited too, along with some other athletes. I'm forwarding you the attendees' list so you don't feel lost when we get there. Raducanu's manager just texted me saying the event is bigger than expected."

"I'm going to a tennis event. I should know tennis players, not influencers."

"Yeah, but-"

"If the President shows up, I'll recognize them and take a bow. If the person is important in my field, I'll greet them. That's what should matter."

Leia pointed at the guys with a grin. "These guys are enjoying our conversation. Keeping up the 'Ice Princess' reputation well, as they say."

I chuckled. "Shut up, Leia."

It didn't take long for us to arrive at the cinema where the premiere was taking place, but still, there was a long line of vans waiting to drop off guests on the red carpet. Although it was far from being a black-tie event, from where we were I could already spot well-dressed people walking around.

"I thought it was an afternoon thing, not too fancy or whatever. Why are people in gowns?"

"Oh, yeah. That would be the influencers, yes."

"Sure. Why did I even ask?"

Once we were cleared to enter the red carpet, Leia was the first to step out of the car. A security guard opened the minivan door for me, and Leia gestured for me to follow her.

It wasn't as extravagant as the MTV Music Awards or anything like that. You step out of your car, walk to the "red" carpet-really just the main entrance to the cinema-and wait in line for about fifteen minutes until it's your turn for photos and interviews. Definitely not as glamorous as people might think.

Leia placed a hand on my back, subtly adjusting my hair and clothes, and nodded in the direction we should go. As we approached, I began to recognize familiar faces already waiting in line. Leia took this as her cue to step aside and check me in, leaving me to walk the carpet alone.

"Hey, you," Aryna Sabalenka, one of the top contenders for the Women's Singles at the Australian Open, greeted me first. Her height made her hard to miss. Despite everything, we were quite well-acquainted. "How's that wrist?"

I instinctively massaged it, "could be better."

"Yeah, I heard they've covered it for this season."

"That's pretty much why they've featured me. Fights make for good audience material, I heard," I said, glancing at Taylor Fritz and his girlfriend, Morgan Riddle, posing on the carpet next to Zverev.

"Did Navarro get punished?"

"Hefty fine, I heard. Not that it makes much difference when you're a billionaire."

"Oof, that's rough," she said, patting my shoulder. "Sorry I couldn't reach out earlier. Good luck next week, okay?"

"Yeah, you too."

Once the group photos were finished, a Netflix employee raised a large card displaying Aryna's and my names for the interviewers to see, and we were then signaled to proceed.

The venue's entrance had a lot of floral arrangements, and the backdrop was a blend of Break Point's banner and sponsor logos. On the carpet, there were lined photographers snapping away pictures and journalists with microphones and notepads. As I approached the first interviewer, a tall woman with a friendly smile, the interviewer extended a hand for a handshake.

"Hello, Élodie, this is America Wilson from Tennis TV," she said, adjusting the microphone towards me. "May I ask you how's the expectations for the 2024 season starting next week, considering your minor wrist injury at the Paris Masters?"

I leaned in slightly, my brows furrowing as I tried to catch the questions amidst the din. From where I stood, I could see a formed large crowd behind the line of photographers and journalists, and it was almost too loud to hear anyone two meters apart.

"Yeah, I mean-I can only look forward, you know? What's happened has happened. I can't change the past, but I can shape my future."

"Okay," she said, switching to another card. "Regarding Emma Navarro, who has been a topic of debate about whether she was responsible for your injury, how would you describe your relationship with her after everything that happened?"

I offered a small smile and shrugged slightly. "Uhm... yeah, she's a good opponent."

"Is that all?" America asked, raising an eyebrow and tilting her head slightly.

I nodded and smiled, "That's all."

"There you go, then. Well," she glanced around as the Netflix employee signaled that her time was running out, "I won't keep you any longer. I know it's a busy evening. Just one last question: have you met any of the guests here tonight, like AFL players Darcy Moore and Mason Cox, or F1 driver Oscar Piastri?"

My first reaction was to laugh. I'd never heard any of those names before in my life.

"Sorry, who?"

★

2 hours ago

Liked by emmaraducanu, wimbledon, oscarpiastri and 167,304 others

@tennistv Bonjour, Ice Princess!

French tennis star Élodie Lodger has just graced the Break Point red carpet! 🎾✨ When asked about her wrist injury from the Paris Masters and expectations on the 2024 season, she smiled and said, "I can only look forward." As for her relationship with Emma Navarro, she called her "a good opponent"-but is there more to it? 🤔

We also asked if she's met any of the celebrities here, like AFL players Darcy Moore and Mason Cox, or F1 driver Oscar Piastri. Her response? A smirky, "sorry, who?"

We're rooting for you, Él! 💪🌟

View all 5,608 comments

graceful_gamer Élodie always keeps it classy. Good luck at the Australian Open!
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court_queen her smile says it all! here's to a fantastic season ahead, not even emma navarro can stop her now
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sportsgossip Most overrated player in tennis history actually

sportsgossip Her response about Navarro was so passive-aggressive. Not a fan of the 'Ice Princess' act. A little humility wouldn't hurt.

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piastribread yeah she's so full of herself like wtf
court_queen so now elodie is full of herself for not knowing ur fav ? 🤔

f1fanatic77: she's too busy playing the diva to actually perform. Don't see her lasting long.

fairplayfan: Can't believe she brushed off the other celebrities like that. Major lack of respect.

piastribread not oscar liking this
⮩ view replies (5)
f1fanatic77 honestly thats probably his team liking bc it mentions him, he may not even know this diva too

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