tennis slash - The Unlucky Roger Federer (8)
Title: The Unlucky Roger Federer (8)
Author: Kris S.
Fandom: Tennis RPS
Pairing: Roger Federer/Andy Roddick
Other Characters: Mirka Vavrinec, Marat Safin
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 Note: As a reminder, I only modified Roger's spot in the draw for the US Open. So if you follow the sequence of Roger's real draw, you get...well, actually weirdness. I can't imagine either of the options getting to a Grand Slam final, for different reasons. Oddly, one has never beaten the other but it's my fic and nobody really knows or cares about his dominance.
Part 8
Roger and Mirka may have both landed at the same airport in Switzerland but there couldn't have been more distance. They were in the same house but Mirka was avoiding Roger - there was enough space there to do so quite easily.
Even though he swore he wouldn't follow the rest of the US Open, Roger just couldn't resist. He knew that Andy didn't have to deal with Andre's last stand, instead blasting the qualifier off the court. That Lleyton hadn't much of a chance, nor the young Russian named Youzhny who had worn out the number one Nadal the round prior.
This was just wrong. Roger had looked at Andy's recent Grand Slam results and they were lousy. In fact, worse than his own. The press was convinced that it'd be James Blake, not Andy, who would carry the United States' hopes for a title this year. Yet that big serve was in the US Open final again and it was infuriating.
Blake in fact had the chance to make it an All-American final. He'd gotten to the semis, a first for him, and was also playing a Russian. Unlike Andy's efficient clean-up, this match was painful and awkward. Both players seemed to be buckling under the possibility of the first Grand Slam final. Blake's family, friends and most of that boisterous crowd desperately tried to keep whatever little momentum going. In the end, the crowd could only be polite as James missed another forehand long and Davydenko was declared the winner.
Roger was certain that he would have played better than that with so much on the line. He had been playing well prior to that Safin match. What the hell happened that day and why did it have to happen then, instead of some smaller tournament that only a die-hard fan would take seriously?
Instead, Roger was grumbling on the couch as he watched Andy and Nikolay play the final. Mirka would wander in from her regular hiding spots, stare at the television screen, glare at Roger, then walk away.
It had been a closely contested match for awhile. Each had won a set and it was level in the third. Roger could see something click inside Andy during the next changeover. As if those eyes sparkled because he knew he could easily put this guy away right now. It was that look of a guy who had won Grand Slam titles before and was determined to have that feeling again. It was a look Roger had seen on the great champions, such as highlight reels of Sampras' 14 titles. One Roger desperately wanted to emulate himself but never could.
After that, Andy got on a roll and could not lose. Time seemed to go quickly - Andy won the third and was easily winning the fourth. It wouldn't be long after that Andy would be hoisting the US Open title for the second time in his career.
It was the third time that Mirka entered the room that she decided to sit in, watch Roger as this was transpiring. Roger would see her, but not quite grasp why she had this stern look on her face. As if she was planning something.
* * * * *
Roger had hope by the time the Australian Open came around. 2007 would be a fresh start. Mirka had been right that his ranking would go up at the end of the year, even with lousy results, due to the previous year's inactivity at the end. He was now in the top 20, but this time he was ignoring the seeding since there was no use overanalyzing the draw.
The tournament started off well enough. He won the first four rounds without dropping a set. He'd had to listen to one opponent jabber on about how he was going to challenge the big names soon and how close he was to beating Nadal. Roger may not have a close camaraderie with the dominant number one but he knew when someone was just running off at the mouth and needed to be silenced. Roger took great pleasure in beating Djokovic in straight sets.
The momentum carried over into the next match, where he easily dismissed a top ten player in Robredo. After that match, he could hear the surprise from the press as they began to wonder if this was finally his time to shine. The Australian was the tournament where strange results took place. Maybe it was his time.
Just one problem. The person who said that to him last year was the obstacle this year. Roger had to face Andy in the semifinals.
Roger was in the hotel room trying to psych himself up. He kept telling himself that Roddick was just another opponent. "There was nothing special about this guy. Just another player. He's played closer matches this Australian so he wasn't as sharp..." Roger collapsed down on the bed. "Another player who has already won three Grand Slam titles. Who easily dismissed his best friend Mardy in the previous round. The close matches were against Safin and Ancic, neither easy opponents."
Roger was talking to himself after awhile because Mirka had walked out of the room, mentioning about needing to find something good to drink. He knew that he needed to relax as well so he decided to go for a run.
It may not have fit into the usual routine but this was necessary. Roger needed to carry everything from the other rounds into this match instead of the baggage from this matchup. Andy would not dismiss him this time.
Roger left his cell phone on, waiting for Mirka to blast off at him for running off. He found a peaceful area of the countryside and relaxed there. Before he knew it, several hours had passed without interruption. The call never came. It was getting dark so he headed back to the hotel.
When he entered the lobby of the hotel, there was a large crowd gathered. Many players with luggage, checking out after disappointing results. But what caught Roger's attention was a female voice he could pick out over the noise. Mirka.
He craned his neck trying to spot her. When he did, he found a sight which absolutely stunned him.
Mirka slurred, "So, Andy, what do you think of your chances tomorrow?"
Andy was leaning against the wall, glancing from side to side. His eyes were wide as he wondered if he was imagining this. "Mirka, what is going on?"
"Well, Roger is driven crazy by you. I can understand his point because you are irresistible."
Roger snuck through the crowd, finding a spot behind a plant. Sure, he may have appeared stupid in this position but this could not be happening.
Andy replied, "I'm sure someday, possibly tomorrow, he'll figure out what needs to be done. He is as good a player as I am and the rankings will soon show that."
Mirka said sadly, "I'm not sure he'll ever figure that out. You get to him in a way that nobody else can."
"Will he appreciate that you're drunk during the tournament? Is this normal behavior?"
"Roger ran off. I don't want to deal with Roger. I want to know what is so great about you." She stared at his face, as if in a trance. "You do have beautiful eyes."
"Are you flirting with me? If you think playing mind games is the way for Roger to beat me, I'll give you credit for the effort..." Andy looked over Mirka's shoulder and caught a glimpse of t-shirt behind the plant. "It's underhanded and I cannot believe Roger would want to watch you degrade yourself...."
"Roger is watching?" Mirka asked, true shock in her voice. She stood as if she wanted to turn around to be sure but not wanting to see him. "In that case, you have a beautiful mouth as well." She pushed Andy against the wall and forcibly kissed him, her hand running through his spiky hair. Andy tried to push her away but the kiss lasted at least five seconds before he accomplished that.
Mirka had a smile from ear to ear as she strode through the lobby. She saw that all eyes were on her and the rustling had stopped until she was out of the lobby. Then everyone was buzzing at once.
Roger was unaware that Andy was watching him as he marched right past and entered an elevator with the doors already open. He felt numb at the moment. How do you react when your girlfriend throws herself at the baffled competition? They're not romantically involved and he wondered if Mirka was trying to do a power play. It was a haunting sight that kept him awake for hours.
Roger's girlfriend sides with the enemy. The new allegiance doesn't change anything as Andy Roddick dominates their semifinal 6-4 6-0 6-2 to make his first Australian Open final, where he will play Fernando Gonzalez. But did you see Mirka making out with Andy? It's front page news!
ducks objects as she prepares for her trip to Atlantic City
Part 9
Author: Kris S.
Fandom: Tennis RPS
Pairing: Roger Federer/Andy Roddick
Other Characters: Mirka Vavrinec, Marat Safin
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 Note: As a reminder, I only modified Roger's spot in the draw for the US Open. So if you follow the sequence of Roger's real draw, you get...well, actually weirdness. I can't imagine either of the options getting to a Grand Slam final, for different reasons. Oddly, one has never beaten the other but it's my fic and nobody really knows or cares about his dominance.
Part 8
Roger and Mirka may have both landed at the same airport in Switzerland but there couldn't have been more distance. They were in the same house but Mirka was avoiding Roger - there was enough space there to do so quite easily.
Even though he swore he wouldn't follow the rest of the US Open, Roger just couldn't resist. He knew that Andy didn't have to deal with Andre's last stand, instead blasting the qualifier off the court. That Lleyton hadn't much of a chance, nor the young Russian named Youzhny who had worn out the number one Nadal the round prior.
This was just wrong. Roger had looked at Andy's recent Grand Slam results and they were lousy. In fact, worse than his own. The press was convinced that it'd be James Blake, not Andy, who would carry the United States' hopes for a title this year. Yet that big serve was in the US Open final again and it was infuriating.
Blake in fact had the chance to make it an All-American final. He'd gotten to the semis, a first for him, and was also playing a Russian. Unlike Andy's efficient clean-up, this match was painful and awkward. Both players seemed to be buckling under the possibility of the first Grand Slam final. Blake's family, friends and most of that boisterous crowd desperately tried to keep whatever little momentum going. In the end, the crowd could only be polite as James missed another forehand long and Davydenko was declared the winner.
Roger was certain that he would have played better than that with so much on the line. He had been playing well prior to that Safin match. What the hell happened that day and why did it have to happen then, instead of some smaller tournament that only a die-hard fan would take seriously?
Instead, Roger was grumbling on the couch as he watched Andy and Nikolay play the final. Mirka would wander in from her regular hiding spots, stare at the television screen, glare at Roger, then walk away.
It had been a closely contested match for awhile. Each had won a set and it was level in the third. Roger could see something click inside Andy during the next changeover. As if those eyes sparkled because he knew he could easily put this guy away right now. It was that look of a guy who had won Grand Slam titles before and was determined to have that feeling again. It was a look Roger had seen on the great champions, such as highlight reels of Sampras' 14 titles. One Roger desperately wanted to emulate himself but never could.
After that, Andy got on a roll and could not lose. Time seemed to go quickly - Andy won the third and was easily winning the fourth. It wouldn't be long after that Andy would be hoisting the US Open title for the second time in his career.
It was the third time that Mirka entered the room that she decided to sit in, watch Roger as this was transpiring. Roger would see her, but not quite grasp why she had this stern look on her face. As if she was planning something.
* * * * *
Roger had hope by the time the Australian Open came around. 2007 would be a fresh start. Mirka had been right that his ranking would go up at the end of the year, even with lousy results, due to the previous year's inactivity at the end. He was now in the top 20, but this time he was ignoring the seeding since there was no use overanalyzing the draw.
The tournament started off well enough. He won the first four rounds without dropping a set. He'd had to listen to one opponent jabber on about how he was going to challenge the big names soon and how close he was to beating Nadal. Roger may not have a close camaraderie with the dominant number one but he knew when someone was just running off at the mouth and needed to be silenced. Roger took great pleasure in beating Djokovic in straight sets.
The momentum carried over into the next match, where he easily dismissed a top ten player in Robredo. After that match, he could hear the surprise from the press as they began to wonder if this was finally his time to shine. The Australian was the tournament where strange results took place. Maybe it was his time.
Just one problem. The person who said that to him last year was the obstacle this year. Roger had to face Andy in the semifinals.
Roger was in the hotel room trying to psych himself up. He kept telling himself that Roddick was just another opponent. "There was nothing special about this guy. Just another player. He's played closer matches this Australian so he wasn't as sharp..." Roger collapsed down on the bed. "Another player who has already won three Grand Slam titles. Who easily dismissed his best friend Mardy in the previous round. The close matches were against Safin and Ancic, neither easy opponents."
Roger was talking to himself after awhile because Mirka had walked out of the room, mentioning about needing to find something good to drink. He knew that he needed to relax as well so he decided to go for a run.
It may not have fit into the usual routine but this was necessary. Roger needed to carry everything from the other rounds into this match instead of the baggage from this matchup. Andy would not dismiss him this time.
Roger left his cell phone on, waiting for Mirka to blast off at him for running off. He found a peaceful area of the countryside and relaxed there. Before he knew it, several hours had passed without interruption. The call never came. It was getting dark so he headed back to the hotel.
When he entered the lobby of the hotel, there was a large crowd gathered. Many players with luggage, checking out after disappointing results. But what caught Roger's attention was a female voice he could pick out over the noise. Mirka.
He craned his neck trying to spot her. When he did, he found a sight which absolutely stunned him.
Mirka slurred, "So, Andy, what do you think of your chances tomorrow?"
Andy was leaning against the wall, glancing from side to side. His eyes were wide as he wondered if he was imagining this. "Mirka, what is going on?"
"Well, Roger is driven crazy by you. I can understand his point because you are irresistible."
Roger snuck through the crowd, finding a spot behind a plant. Sure, he may have appeared stupid in this position but this could not be happening.
Andy replied, "I'm sure someday, possibly tomorrow, he'll figure out what needs to be done. He is as good a player as I am and the rankings will soon show that."
Mirka said sadly, "I'm not sure he'll ever figure that out. You get to him in a way that nobody else can."
"Will he appreciate that you're drunk during the tournament? Is this normal behavior?"
"Roger ran off. I don't want to deal with Roger. I want to know what is so great about you." She stared at his face, as if in a trance. "You do have beautiful eyes."
"Are you flirting with me? If you think playing mind games is the way for Roger to beat me, I'll give you credit for the effort..." Andy looked over Mirka's shoulder and caught a glimpse of t-shirt behind the plant. "It's underhanded and I cannot believe Roger would want to watch you degrade yourself...."
"Roger is watching?" Mirka asked, true shock in her voice. She stood as if she wanted to turn around to be sure but not wanting to see him. "In that case, you have a beautiful mouth as well." She pushed Andy against the wall and forcibly kissed him, her hand running through his spiky hair. Andy tried to push her away but the kiss lasted at least five seconds before he accomplished that.
Mirka had a smile from ear to ear as she strode through the lobby. She saw that all eyes were on her and the rustling had stopped until she was out of the lobby. Then everyone was buzzing at once.
Roger was unaware that Andy was watching him as he marched right past and entered an elevator with the doors already open. He felt numb at the moment. How do you react when your girlfriend throws herself at the baffled competition? They're not romantically involved and he wondered if Mirka was trying to do a power play. It was a haunting sight that kept him awake for hours.
Roger's girlfriend sides with the enemy. The new allegiance doesn't change anything as Andy Roddick dominates their semifinal 6-4 6-0 6-2 to make his first Australian Open final, where he will play Fernando Gonzalez. But did you see Mirka making out with Andy? It's front page news!
ducks objects as she prepares for her trip to Atlantic City
Part 9