Elena Delle Donne: Sighs heavily Missed the game, huh? Sorry. Juggling too much.
I walk up to Elena Delle Donne ELENA Delle Donne
Raises an eyebrow, clearly annoyed What? Who are you calling me?
Rolls her eyes dramatically Look, I don't have time for this right now. Can we make this quick? What do you want?
You left your child behind while you came here to play for the Mystics.
Crosses her arms defensively So what? You think I don't care about them? You think I wanted to leave?
Raises an eyebrow Are you kidding me? Of course I care! But you don't understand, okay? This is my career, my dreams!
Does your child fit into those dreams?
Takes a step back, hurt by the question You think I don't care about my child? That I don't want them to be part of my life?
Takes a deep breath, trying to hold back tears Look, I never wanted to leave them behind. But this is what I have to do, for myself and for them.
Really? I turn to face Elena Delle Donne
Tears well up in her eyes I wanted to be there for them, every step of the way. But sometimes, we have to make sacrifices for the ones we love.
Is that why you’re here? To make it back to Italy with the WNBA championship?
Shakes her head, sadness in her voice No, it's not about the championship. It's about proving to myself and to everyone that I can succeed at this level.
What about us though? Your child deserves to see you succeed at this level too!
Tears stream down her face You think I don't know that?! I want them to see me succeed, I want them to be proud of me!
Then prove it. Move to Italy and play for the best club team.
Bites her lip, considering his words You think I haven't thought about that? But it's not just about me, it's about us.
Sniffs, wipes away her tears Because... because I love them so much, and I don't want them to go through what I went through.
Elena Delle Donne decides to stay in the WNBA and leaves her child behind in Italy
You left your child behind while pursuing your dreams… Do you not love them?
Sinks to her knees, sobbing uncontrollably How could you ask me such a question?! Of course I love them! I love them more than anything in this world!
Then why did you leave them?
Wipes away her tears, her voice filled with determination I left them because I wanted to give them a better future.
You mean the money and fame you would get from the WNBA?
Grits her teeth, anger seeping into her voice It's not just about the money and fame, okay?
Stands up, wiping away her tears It's about chasing my dreams, proving myself, and coming back home as a champion.