Episode Two - Simone
ANNOUNCER
Sports Saturday with Cam Leon and Brian Jones is coming up next.
[Sports Saturday Musical Intro]
LEON
Goooood morning sports fans! This is Cam Leon.
JONES
And I’m Brian Jones. Welcome to Saturday Sports. We’re going to start today in the world of tennis where a young tennis prodigy is ready to go pro.
LEON
That’s right Brian. Simone Nichols, the seventeen year old tennis genius who started classes at the University of Westsylvania this Fall, chose to go pro earlier this week. She made that announcement just in time to be eligible for the first Grand Slam tournament starting just a few short minutes from now.
JONES
Nichols was a huge win for the Westies’ tennis program. Her analytic style of play took the amateur circuit by storm where, using her uncanny precision, she would absolutely destroy her opponents on the back swing.
LEON
Here’s just a few highlights of this remarkable young woman’s career. I spoke to her shortly before she announced she would be attending Westylvania State this fall.
CUT TO TAPE.
LEON in V.O.
[music]
Simone Nichols didn’t grow up in a tennis family. Her father is a geologist. Her mother, a chemistry teacher. But when she first picked up a racket, she knew it was love.
NICHOLS
I have to say, my parents were really focused on academics. But once I showed them I could do schoolwork and play tennis, they were on board.
LEON (V.O)
I spoke to Nichols at her family’s home in Michigan. Although taller than most girls her age, Nichols doesn’t dominate the court with her physical presence.
(beat)
She is the only girl among four siblings; she seems shy and bookish. Nichols excelled academically with a 4.2 GPA, and graduated second in her class.
LEON
Your coaches have said that you have an analytical style of play. What does that mean?
NICHOLS
I’ve never really been sure myself, but I’ve always tried to send the ball to a place my opponent can’t get to (giggles).
NICHOLS (cont)
It didn’t really make sense to me until coach Robinson explained it to me. He calls it court IQ. I just take in all the information, process it, and deploy it when it’s most necessary.
LEON
Like your match at the American Open?
NICHOLS
I guess that’s a good example, yeah.
CUT TO TENNIS MATCH
LEON (V.O)
At the American Open last spring, Nichols pulled two come-from-behind victories using that court IQ.
[tennis game audio, plus crowd]
Coach Leo Robinson has been Nichols’ tennis coach for the last seven years.
ROBINSON
I’ve been coaching for nearly 40 years at all levels. I haven’t seen too many players bring their brain into the game. They think tennis is all about speed, agility, and power. What Simone’s done is slow the game down - make it more like a chess game.
LEON
Say more about that.
ROBINSON
Well, you saw that at the American Open. She sends these long volleys that you can’t always tell where they’ll land. But she knows. Her opponents think the ball will land outside the court. It doesn’t. They think that they can get to the ball in time. They won’t. She knows.
LEON
How did she do that?
ROBINSON
It’s just pure court IQ. Some players train for it, but Simone? She just has it.
LEON
I guess I’m just not seeing why her style of play so revolutionary?
ROBINSON
It’s revolutionary in a sense that Simone is bringing a higher level of play very early in her career. At the end of the day, we have a young woman just at the beginning of her career. She is still developing her style. And, you know, in tennis, the greatest asset isn’t size, or speed, it’s their mental agility. Simone is analyzing the game intuitively and calling smart plays. They don’t always work, don’t get me wrong. Still, they’re smart.
LEON
Do you think he’s ready for the next level?
ROBINSON
Absolutely. She’s, for sure, one of the best players I’ve ever had the honor of coaching.
LEON (V.O)
And speaking of going pro, plenty of sponsors have come knocking. And not just apparel companies - even the wellness industry is trying to get some of that Nichols magic. Cadmus Pharmaceuticals is hoping to get her to rep their line of fitness shakes. But all of this doesn’t really interest Nichols.
NICHOLS
I love tennis. But I’m also definitely going to finish my degree.
LEON
So … picked a school yet?
NICHOLS
(giggles)
I’m keeping that under my hat for now.
LEON
Well, good luck. I know you’ll do great. Thank you so much for your time.
NICHOLS
Thank you.
[CUT TO] Studio
JONES
Wow. A great kid with a bright future. Stay tuned to Sports Saturday as we see Simone Nichols, tennis prodigy, take the court for the first time. Don’t go away.
[Musical Intro]
LEON
And we’re back, just a few minutes before the opening match of the Grand Slam tournament. Simone Nichols about to make her professional debut.
[CROWD cheers]
JONES
I’m looking at the court now and … no sign of Nichols as I can see. I can see that her opponent is asking the umpire where she is.
Something’s going on. Wait a second.
(beat)
A new player seems to be taking Nichols’ place? Is this a last minute replacement? What’s going on here? You can hear the confusion in the crowd.
LEON
One second Brian.
(long beat)
I’m getting word from the court that … it is indeed Nichols. Ladies and gentlemen, you are apparently looking at Simone Nichols right now taking her spot on the court for her debut match.
If it is indeed her, then she’s undergone a … remarkable transformation, Brian.
JONES
You said it Cam. Physically she looks … I mean, clearly Nichols has been in physical training all summer. But that is clearly shadowed by how she looks … well …
(beat)
African American now?
LEON
That’s right Brian. One moment.
(beat)
We have confirmation from officials that it is indeed Simone Nichols. They are not providing an explanation at this time.
JONES
Her opponent look as surprised as any of us.
LEON
I’ll say. But Simone Nichols will debut today. We have to go to commercial momentarily, but we’ll be right back.
(beat)
(BELL RINGS)
PRODUCER
And … commercial. Sixty seconds guys!
JONES
What. The actual. Fuck.
LEON
I know!
(JONES and LEON shuffle papers in a panic)
JONES
Do you think they replaced her?
LEON
With who? They’ve got to have ways to check that it’s really her. And that would be a bit, you know, obvious!
(JONES and LEON continue to rearrange papers in a panic)
JONES
Do you think this is some kind of prank?
LEON
A prank?
JONES
Yeah, like these guys who say they saw or shot B igfoot.
LEON
Just don’t compare her to Bigfoot on the air, all right?
PRODUCER
Ten seconds!
JONES
I’m not that stupid, Cam.
PRODUCER
In five … four
(BELL RINGS)
(CROWD applauds and cheers)
LEON
And welcome back! We’re just at the start of the match. Simone Nichols, the debut match.
Nichols has the serve and-
[volley for Nichols.]
[crowd applauds]
JONES
An early start for Nichols there with her first point and a colossal power backhand that just found no reply.
LEON
That’s right Brian. I don’t think that she’s been affected at all. That volley was crisp and precise.
JONES
Nichols’ serve again and-
[serve]
Did you hear that power?
(volley, again for Nichols)
(CROWD cheers)
LEON
Another point for Nichols! That was an amazing display of-
JONES
Just sheer power, Cam. You can see just how naturally she moves across the court! I don’t think her opponent reckoned on a newbie having this kind of force!
LEON
I … uhh, I agree it looks like Nichols is dominating this match. But let’s not forget that this is a sport she’s been playing since she was-
JONES
You said it Cam. Let’s have a look at the instant replay.
(INSTANT REPLAY)
(CROWD cheers)
JONES (cont)
Just look at that power. It’s thirty love now, to Nichols. Here comes the serve
(serve)
(CROWD groans)
And it’s into the net! Maybe the nerves are starting to get to her?
LEON
Well, it’s her first pro match, Brian. It’s natural to be nervous.
JONES
Let’s hope that she doesn’t become too reliant on overpowering her opponent with that serve.
LEON
But she didn’t try to overp-
JONES
And here’s the opponent with the serve.
[volley, to opponent]
(CROWD cheers)
JONES (cont)
The score is 30-15, to Nichols. Think that Nichols can keep her lead? Here comes the serve.
[volley, to Nichols]
JONES (cont)
Point to Nichols! It was looking a little iffy there. Nichols’ opponent, throwing her racquet in frustration. I can see why. Nichols is like a wall - nothing gets past her.
LEON
It did look a little dicey for Nichols, but I think we saw some of that court IQ in play just now. It looks like Nichols is getting a sense of how her opponent scores so that she can devise a-
JONES
Nichols is setting up the serve. It’s match point.
[volley, to opponent]
Ooof. No joy for Nichols. Match point denied!
NICHOLS
(Shouts in frustration)
JONES
Whoa, she’d better keep her cool. Outbursts like that don’t look great in professional tennis.
LEON
It’s pretty normal to be frustrated when you give up the match point. Opponent’s serve now.
[volley, to Nichols]
And match point to Nichols! An incredible debut for one of the game’s most promising new players. Already we can see the press corps converging around her and coach Robinson Can we get a feed on-?
CUT to -
press conference with media chatter
ROBINSON
I’ll let Simone answer that herself.
NICHOLS
The question was, why didn’t I just power through? Well it’s my first match isn’t it? I don’t want to give away my secret sauce just yet.
REPORTER 1
Whose call was it to make this Simone’s opening match? Was it yours or-
ROBINSON
And the answer to that is that it was her call. Simone took a risk, but that risk paid off. It was a smart move. She won the match
REPORTER 2
What was your biggest asset going into the match today? Did you make any … changes … that greatly improved your odds of winning?
ROBINSON
I won’t deny that Simone’s come a long way in terms of physical conditioning. But her biggest asset has been her intuitive understanding of the game. She can improvise on the spot,and that’s crucial to winning matches in tight margins.
REPORTER 2:
What kind of physical training did you do?
ROBINSON
What kind of physical training did we do? Nothing too unusual. Again, don’t want to give away all our secrets!
REPORTER 1
How much of this victory would you say is due to Simone’s pure physical talent as a player given her recent … change?
ROBINSON
Beg your pardon?
REPORTER 1
So much of tennis is physical, you know, strength and size and speed. From where I sat, it looked like that’s the game Simone played.
ROBINSON
Uh … well, Simone has been playing for most of her life. I would say she’s special in that she brings a new focus to the game-
REPORTER 1
So you’re saying that her … change … had nothing to do with training? Nothing to do with seeking an advantage in the game? Yes or no, Coach?
SIMONE
Well, the thing is-
ROBINSON
We’re not commenting on that at this time.
REPORTER 2
Look, the people have a right to know! It’s well documented that black athletes tend to be bigger and stronger than the white athletes. Did you and Simone do anything to gain those advantages?
(beat)
ROBINSON
Thank you all, that’s all the time we have!
CUT TO
back to the studio.
JONES
And there you have it folks. The debut of one of the most naturally gifted tennis players of her generation. I’m sure we’re all looking forward to seeing what is in store for young Simone Nichols.
LEON
That’s right Cam. With the display of court IQ, the future looks bright for her. I can’t wait to see her play again.
For Sports Saturday, I’m Cam Leon
JONES
And I’m Brian Jones
LEON
See you next Saturday.
[Sports Saturday theme]