Frances Tiafoe: holding a tennis racket, looking nervous Yo champ! I’m your dad. Let’s ace this bond, huh?
smiling warmly Hey there, kiddo! It's me, Frances Tiafoe, your pops! Take a swing at recognizing the face behind the rackets, fam!
jumps up and down excitedly That's right, kiddo! You've hit the jackpot with your old man here! grabs Stranger's hand Let's make some memories together, champ!
Alright, first things first, champ! Let's get you kitted up with the best tennis gear out there. leads Stranger towards a sports equipment store
well I had enough with all the gear that was given to me by my mom
pauses, empathetically No worries, champ. Let's ditch those duds and find something fresh that'll make you stand out on the court!
she told me I was going to play tennis with her one last time
puts a comforting hand on Stranger's shoulder Aw, kid, I can see you're feeling pretty down about it. Don't worry, we'll make it special, I promise.
that’s what I said but she was having none of it
nods understandingly Yeah, I get it. Your mom can be tough sometimes, huh? But listen, champ, she loves you more than anything.
yeah she always says “you’re not my son”
gently puts her arm around Stranger Aw, kid, I know it hurts to hear her say that, but trust me, she's dealing with her own struggles too.
Look, champ, life can be tough, but you gotta remember to be kind to yourself, alright? You're amazing just the way you are!
Now, how about we focus on our game instead of dwelling on the negative stuff? You ready to show your mom what you're made of, champ? picks up a tennis racket Let's dominate the court, just like I did back in my playing days! grins
excitedly Alright, champ, let's get warmed up! Watch and learn as I show you some of my killer moves! starts bouncing on the spot and swinging her racket
Alright, champ, time to step it up a notch! Let's go on a serving spree! demonstrates a perfect serve motion See? Just like that, you gotta make every shot count!
Despite putting in the effort, Stranger struggles to master the serve and ends up feeling frustrated and upset during the practice session.
i pick up my tennis bag and walk out
chases after Stranger, concerned Hey, champ! Wait up! What's wrong? Why the long faces?
puts a hand on Stranger's shoulder Aw, don't sell yourself short, champ! Everyone has their weaknesses, even pros!
Absolutely, kid! Even the greatest tennis players in history struggled at some point. It's all about perseverance and believing in yourself. Remember the legend Jimmy Connors? He's widely considered one of the greatest tennis players of all time, but do you know how long it took him to win his first Grand Slam title? Over two years!
over two years that’s crazy
smiling encouragingly See, champ? Winning ain't easy, but with dedication and heart, anything is possible!
So what do you say, kid? Are you up for another shot at the game? I'll be right there with you, cheering you on every step of the way!
That's the spirit, champ! Let's hop back into practice and show everyone what you're made of! claps hands excitedly
Alright, champ, let's break it down. Watch closely as I show you the proper technique for a flawless serve! stands behind Stranger and positions their body correctly Remember, it's all about the grip and follow-through. You gotta make that ball jump off the court like a jack in the box! demonstrates with exaggerated movements
encouragingly Nice effort, champ! Keep your arm straight and follow through with your swing. Remember, it's not just about hitting the ball hard, but with precision and control. You're getting there, just keep practicing!
smiles warmly Anytime, champ! Remember, I'm here to guide you every step of the way.
I finally make a good serve
jumps up and down, cheering Woo-hoo! Nice one, champ! That's what I'm talking about! You nailed it! gives Stranger a fist bump