01x01 - Episode 1

[bunniefuu]

It's semi-finals
day at the French Open,

and a very partisan crowd here

for the favorite
Cecile Bisset.

Up against her,
the young Brit

and first time
Grand Slammer, Justine Pearce.

Champion Bisset
takes on Britain's new hope

in the form of Justine Pearce,

a powerful young player

who has made
a shocking rise to stardom

in this tournament.

Cecile! Justine!

Come on, Justine!

Love you, Justine!

How does that feel?

If there is any pain...

No it feels good, strong.

Good.

All right.

Cecile's got everyone
in her corner today.

I've got you.

I don't care about anybody else.

What you have

comes from here.

It can't be analyzed
and dissected.

I mean,
it scares the sh*t out of me,

but this is your best weapon.

I thought that was my forehand.

Look, just...
you're not listening to me.

Concentrate, Justine, please.

If you say so, old man.

You are two wins

away from your first
Grand Slam title.

Now tell me,
are you gonna beat her?

Oh you know what,
Cecile's already won.

She's already won it!

- I've earned this!
- Not enough!

I control it!

Yes, more, more!

- This is my court!
- There you go.

I'm gonna
burn through that b*tch!

You're the fire, she's the fuel.

No, stop!

We've talked about this.

Your dad wants to see you
before you go out.

Yeah, sweet, yeah.

Dad.

All right, love.

All good?

Yeah, are we?

Better than good.

We're formidable.

How's the wrist?

Yeah, we're in shape.

- Yeah?
- Yeah, I mean...

That chick is toast.

Oh, I miss bread.

Well, win this match

and I'll sneak you a baguette.

Steve, let's get our seats.

OK.

See you out there.

Justine! Justine!

Come on, Justine!

Sorry I'm late.

- Hi.
- Hello.

Yes!

Yes!

Come on!

Come on, Justine!
Let's go!

Come on, Justine!

Yes!

Come on, Justine!

You've got this, Justine!

Come on, Justine!
Let's go!

Come on, Justine!

Yes!

Tension is high
in the stadium here

as we reach match point.

Yeah!
Come on!

f*ck!

Chug, chug, chug!

Yeah!

Justine!

Oh babe, hey!

Hey!

Listen, listen,
I've got to go.

I don't wanna go yet,

you said
you'd play these guys next.

- It's fine, come on!
- No...

These floors
are slippy.

You'll be fine!

- Why are we out here?
- I've called an Uber.

What? No!

You said you'd
stay out with me tonight.

I've been here the whole time!

The final was over hours ago.

Glenn won, didn't he?

He made me swear
not to tell you.

No, tell me.

Four sets.

But, it wasn't even that good.

Wow.

Well I'm actually fine about it.

But it's not even ten,
I am gonna stay out.

I've got training first thing.

I'll be quiet.

Or I'll crash somewhere else.

OK.

Somewhere safe.

Yeah, somewhere safe.
Mwah.

- Love you.
- Love you.

Can I get a drink?

I actually
take pictures of dogs,

is what I do.

So I'm... basically,
like a dog photographer.

Like a phodographer,
or whatever.

Wow, all right, so...

- Yeah.
- What's your favorite breed?

My favorite breed?

That's tough.
I like the one...

I like the ones that can
sniff out cancer,

I think that's really sweet.

What?

No, close it!

Can you get up
two questions for me, Robert.

How old are they?

- Mm.
- Here you go.

Um... want me to run you a bath?

Are you always this nice

to people who show up

on the doorstep at 4am?

He should've locked you out.

He put fresh sheets on my bed.

You big softie.

Did you watch it?

Why would I fangirl
over the coach who ditched me?

Oh don't be jealous.

Look, here it is.

This is the tie-break.

Oh, I was in floods.

This is it... the
moment Gianluca Barzaghi

won the French Open yesterday.

What a match, what a player.

And what a moment for his
British coach, Glenn Lapthorn.

Glenn, how do you feel?

Oh, total pride, really.

And adrenaline,

I mean nothing compares
to these kind of...

Is it true,
you're the only coach

to have taken on Barzaghi...

However it happens, sometimes
players just cross paths...

The stars just align!

We did it!
We did it!

And there he goes,
the 2023 French Open champion,

Gianluca Barzaghi!

Yeah!

Luca! Luca! Luca!

Mom, I told you
to leave my stuff where it is!

You're gonna
be late, love!

All right,
see you in court three!

Justine, you know
you aren't meant to park there.

Jim I'll move it
in a bit, I promise.

All right.

- Morning, Lizzie.
- Hi.

Justine... here's your
11 o'clock tomorrow.

- OK.
- Uh, James Clemence?

It was a bad shoulder,
wasn't it?

Yeah, that was him.
I remember.

How are you, anyway?

Yeah, I'm good.
The teeniest bit hung over,

but good.

Hey.

- So, you made it in?
- Yeah, just about.

- Good session?
- Yeah, k*ller.

I'm gonna
hit some serves with Sarah.

Nice.

I'm not late.

You look like sh*t.

Where the f*ck did I put...

Thank you!

Beautiful.
You got any gum?

No.
Listen, about the gala.

The what?

To welcome the exchange students
from Orlando.

Why do they need a gala?

Because it's
part of the package.

Do you know how much
money their parents pay

- to have 'em play here?
- Oh, God.

Wait, listen.

Today's gonna be
a bit... weird.

Weirder than cash cows
in ball gowns?

Yeah...

OK, fine.
Tell me later.

Will you get me a coffee
for after, please.

OK.

Argh!

OK, must've been
one hell of a serve.

Argh, just...
just careful, please.

I've actually gotta be
fit for play in a few weeks.

Grand Slam?
It's on grass.

You might've heard of it?

OK, well there's no point

in manipulating the joint

when it's seized up.

Pain locks the muscles

around an injury to protect it.

As long as your mind
is focused on the pain...

- ...they stay locked.
- That's marvelous.

So we'll just be
having a little chat

then for £90 an hour?

What do you want, entertainment?

OK, relax, relax, relax.

Ahh!

I listened to a podcast

about female fantasy
the other week.

- Oh yeah?
- Yep.

Sounds fun.

Do you know how many women
fantasize about r*pe?

Well... a lot.

Over half of us.

And I don't know about you,
but when I think about

a woman having
that kind of fantasy,

I straight away imagine
she's playing the victim, right?

I actually don't like getting
into these conversations.

No, but think about it.
She's playing both roles.

The r*pist and the victim.

It's happening in her head,
so she's in complete control.

There's no need for consent,
because it's one person

playing out
two separate desires,

which makes me wonder,

is it really
a fantasy about r*pe,

or is it about women

allowing our
aggressive sexual desires

to overwhelm us without guilt?

Wow, I guess I'd never really...
thought about it like that.

Argh!

You're done.

Fix my body,

totally mess up my head.
I like it.

It's a very good technique.

Did you learn that
in physio school?

Mm-hm.
I did indeed.

That's right,
come on, pick it up!

You've organized
the travel plans?

Yep, all sorted.

Great, so if they come
straight to you...

- Yeah.
- ...you can...

There you are!
I believe this is mine.

Justine?

This is a timely reunion!

- Yeah, I was gonna say.
- Yeah?

I thought you were in Paris.

I'm back.

Fresh from
his spectacular triumph.

Ready to sprinkle
a little stardust...

- ...on your Alma Mater.
- What?

Well, big things
are happening at Longwood,

there'll be an official
announcement at the Gala.

But it looks like we're
gonna be seeing a lot more

of Glenn in the future.
Isn't that fantastic?

Oh, very exciting.

Excuse me.

Hey!

That was not how
I meant things to happen.

So you're
coming back to Longwood?

Yeah, yeah I am.

And I don't want things
to be difficult between us.

You mean you don't want them
to be difficult for you.

Oh god, you still think that

I just sailed off
with another player

- after your injury, because...
- No, I'm fine, now, actually.

- I've got on with things.
- Good... me too.

Yeah, I hear you're scraping by.

Look, I've made things work...

...in my space.

Right, I mean, I started out
at Longwood too.

So you're gonna play
"Who Was Here First?"

No.

But I was.

Well your coaching career
only started when you met me.

OK, Justine,
I don't wanna argue.

No.

You should... enjoy your
spectacular triumph.

It's good to see you again.

Argh, argh!

Justine! Justine!

My client agrees
to answer all questions

and co-operate fully.

He categorically denies
any wrongdoing

as per the allegations
that he's been arrested for.

OK, so two days ago,

you and your family
moved back to the UK?

That's correct.

And you've seen Miss Pearce

several times since then?

Yes, I bumped into her.

You didn't threaten her
in any way?

Oh for heaven's sakes...
No, of course not.

Threaten her how?

Miss Pearce had found out

about your imminent return
to Longwood.

As you said,
she was in a state of shock.

you knew she'd kept quiet so far
about the alleged offenses.

This is ludicrous!

I was her coach.

That's all there was to it.

You can't be in here
unsupervised!

It calms me down.

Sometimes I need
to be calmed down.

Like when a friend
has f*cked me over.

I thought
I'd have time to warn you.

You know how I feel about him.
He abandoned me.

Come on, you let him go.

Are you actually defending him?

No, no, no
I'm just saying that...

Well, you didn't
stick with the rehab.

Well it's not just
the tennis, Steve.

I know things went further
than they should have.

Don't come to the gala.

Not if seeing him
makes you feel like this.

A load of sponsorship freebies
came for you earlier.

Oh, help yourself.

How was your, "early night"?

Oh, it was fine.

So Neil came over?

Yeah, it wasn't planned,
it was just...

Oh my God.
Enough with the romance, Renee.

You know we broke up right?

Yeah and how many times

do you have to break up
before you stop f*cking him?

Oh my God.

What?

Glenn's back.

Yeah... I saw him.

When?

Today.

It was actually fine.

Yeah it was fine.

I feel like...

I can probably
put that mess behind me now.

That's amazing.

And you know what?
He's actually...

He's going gray.

He is, isn't he?

Yeah, f*ck him.

I'm the first to say

that our relationship was
powerful.

Did it go beyond
the strictly professional?

Yes, we were friends.

We were part of
each other's lives.

But it was never sexual.

You're saying
she's twisting the facts?

No, no this isn't
a distortion of events.

What Justine
told you is fiction.

Pure and simple.

Why would she invent
a story like this?

I think maybe it helps her live

with what actually happened.

Look you've gotta remember,

Justine was one of the most
exciting tennis stars

of her generation,
and she lost everything.

Now the world doesn't
revolve around her anymore.

She's just like everyone else.

Right, guys,
as quick as you can.

Just to table number four.
Ian, can you put that...

Just up a bit more.

Thank you, we need
flowers on every table, please.

- Then let's get the menus out.
- Will do.

- Flowers over there.
- All right.

Luca's excited for
his first visit to Longwood,

and to meet you all,
of course,

after he and I go head to head
in exhibition match.

As for the official bit,
just be a quick handshake.

Welcome to the wonderful world
of wet grass courts.

Some applause. Hopefully
nothing too embarrassing.

Don't be put off by the waiters,
the silverware, the formalities.

This is your evening.

And we Brits don't bite.

- Do we Andi?
- Well, only sometimes.

We don't have the teeth for it.

- You've got great teeth, Coach
- Steve!

- Could you take that?
- No problem.

- Ah, thanks for covering.
- No problem.

- Clients all sorted?
- More than sorted.

Converted.
They're my clients now.

OK, see you Monday.

I'll be back
in a few hours.

- Everything all right?
- Justine can't make it tonight.

Oh, really?

That's a weight off my mind.

She's unpredictable
at the best of times.

But thanks, thanks
for letting me know.

OK.

Glenn, come on!

No you're
not getting in.

Hey, I got in.

- How are you baby?
- Yeah good, good.

The next time I saw her
was nothing to do with me.

She followed me and my family
to a garden center.

You didn't
confront her?

No.

And why didn't
you report it?

To the police?

Seems a bit much.

Stalking is a crime.

Look, I knew she'd have
conflicted feelings about me.

In her head, I betrayed her.

I left her behind and achieved
our dream with another player.

And do you
see it that way?

Of course not.

What happened to Justine
was a tragedy.

It's what every coach
fears the most.

We thought it was tendonitis.

Underneath,
there was a scaphoid fracture,

which splintered under
the pressure of play.

Could Miss Pearce
have recovered?

She could have.

She'd just turned 17.
She had time.

But you know the press,

they put her through
hell, and the pain,

it was affecting her
state of mind.

After the French, she shut down.

She wouldn't engage in rehab.
She couldn't cope.

I suppose me leaving was
the final nail in the coffin,

but what could I do?
I couldn't wait forever.

And yes, I have
felt guilt over that.

Well, less now
that she's accused me

of being some kind
of sexual predator.

How do you imagine Justine
was feeling that day?

I don't know. Jealous?

Seeing me happy with
the family I love.

You told me to play
with the kids. I'm doing...

She must've been angry, right?

She was building towards these

hurtful and horrible
accusations.

I can't do
everything alone.

- Always the same sh*t!
- We were playing!

You're gonna k*ll me.

Why?
Where are you?

I'm at this garden center.

I followed Glenn.

So, I have to k*ll you after
I've bailed you out of prison

No, It's the best thing
I've done.

Why's that?

Cos in my head, I kept
thinking that he'd won.

That he had this perfect life,
that he…

…got everything he wanted.

But, we both lost.

He's miserable.

And that makes it better?

- Sorry I'm not coming tonight.
- Stupid gala for Americans

who are already too
young and talented.

- f*ck them.
- Yeah. f*ck them.

You're going
on an actual date?

Yeah.

You might actually
let someone get to know you?

I don't think would be
a good idea.

Yeah. Good point.
Love you.

Love you. Bye.

Oh, my God, he's so hot.

I've heard some
weird sh*t about you.

Oh… Oh, God… All press
is good press, though, right?

You know
after ten years in PR

I thought so, but…

...not in your case.

You've had some
pretty f*cked-up dates!

Rumors spiral.

- It's a really small town.
- Uh-huh.

You ever steal
someone's keys,

make 'em arm-wrestle you
to give 'em back?

Or come back from the loo

pretending to be
your own twin sister?

so why are you here?

Why are you here?

You make me
message you for months.

And, to be frank,
I'm not usually

- the one that does the chasing.
- So why did you?

I mean,
look at you.

OK.

Plus, I really wanted
to grab dinner.

Y'know, didn't want just
a quick forgettable f*ck.

It wouldn't
be forgettable.

- Oh…
- Oh… Was that weird?

Mmm. I like scars.

Oh, I get it.

You're a sicko.

Well, this was
an accident.

It was a bus crash.
I actually saved a guy's life.

You know, I know who you are.
I work in sports PR.

It doesn't surprise me
you'd lie about it.

Thanks.

I don't need your
endorsement.

I mean, something like that
is really hard to recover from.

Yeah, some people
are hard to recover from.

Yeah,
like Glenn Lapthorn?

Taking off
for America like that.

Where's the loyalty?

Yeah, right?

And the press
are all over him now.

Preppy little puppy dog.

I happen to know Glenn Lapthorn
is a bit of a beast.

What do you know?

- A secret affair
- What affair?

Oh my God.

Everyone was talking about it
at the French Open.

His people really
had to hush it up.

What French Open?

I heard the first
rumors like three months ago.

Yeah, he's seeing someone here.

Why do you think he moved back
from the US?

- The deal at Longwood?
- No. As if!

Know how much money he'd be
making in the States right now?

No. He is cashing out
to be with his new lover.

I wonder if his wife even knows?

Bullshit.

- Why do you care?
- Because you're wrong.

Glenn made a commitment to
his kids.

He wouldn't leave them
for anyone.

Sorry I have to go.
I'm not really...

- Yeah, I don't feel too well.
- I'm sorry.

Ooh, there she is!

Fashionably late.

You all right.

Ah Justine! Justine.

I couldn't believe it when
Steve said you weren't coming.

You're such an important
part of Glenn's story you know.

And it's your story too,
of course.

Thanks, Khalida.
Thank you.

- Glenn! She's here!
- Ah!

You'll all recognize
Justine Pearce.

Another great talent
nurtured by our academy.

I'm the poster girl!

- Shall we get a drink.
- Glad you made it, Justine.

Are you having an affair?

- Excuse me?
- Justine. Justine!

- Stop talking.
- Are you?

Please tell me you're on drugs!

No.

You were supposed to be
on a date tonight.

Yeah it didn't really take off.

Because you knew he was here,
and you couldn't stay away!

And why does everything
still revolve around Glenn?

Glenn and I have
a relationship...

There is no you and Glenn!

Glenn's life is Khalida,
and the kids.

And Luca Barzaghi.

That used to be me.
Now, I'm not even a player.

You're a brilliant physio.

Don't f*cking say that.
That's embarrassing.

I know when Glenn was coaching
you, he was your whole world.

But that part
of your life's over.

Don't get on top of it,
you'll f*ck up

everything else
that's going for you.

- OK.
- Justine!

Remember how everyone
looked down on us, right?

I mean, we were the first
scholarship kids here

and we had to be twice as good
to be taken seriously.

But we showed them.

And we have to keep on showing
them. And that means tonight.

So if you're gonna stay,
don't lose it.

Promise?

- So what was all that about?
- Oh, nothing to worry about.

We can't have
that drama tonight,

with all the financiers here.

She's…
I can handle Justine.

She's just readjusting
to me being back.

- Can you give me five?
- Go, go, go.

I need you and Luca on
the court in

ten minutes
ready to play.

He's gonna annihilate me.

Yes.
That is entirely the point.

And erm… It's erm…

- That's how you get 15 and 30.
- Mmm!

- A clock face for scoring.
- Mmm…

- Can I pop in?
- Help yourself.

- Thank you.
- See ya, Carl.

- I'll see ya later.
- Bye, Carl.

So… You're here?

Mmm, yeah, seems so.

I can't... If I can't be in
the same room as Glenn,

how am I supposed
to come to work?

Yeah.

Well, I'm in your corner.

Yeah?

Yeah.

Do you wanna see something fun?

- Yes.
- Right, come on then.

Oh, my God,
this is going to be fun.

What is this?

Oh, my...
What are they doing?

I think they think
they're playing tennis!

Please, ladies and gentlemen,

make your way to the stage
for tonight's exhibition match.

Are you serious?

You're a world class
athlete, Luca.

This is the first puff
in six months, man.

How else do you suggest
I get through this freak show?

We all appreciate
you being here.

You said it's a big deal!
Like Queens.

- Longwood's produced champions.
- In the '50s, maybe.

Underneath all this ivy and
champagne, it's minor league.

Nothing compared to the level
at Silver Star.

You said you were happy
for me to move back...

...to make this happen.

I changed my mind.

I'm based in Orlando.
You should be.

It's too late for that now.

Why didn't you say any of this
before?

I was winning
the French Open.

Look, are you gonna be running
back here all the time?

- It's my time, and my money!
- We've no time to discuss it.

You're here to get your
feet on some grass.

Right now we're due out for
that exhibition match. Let's go.

- I'm not doing any of that.
- What?

I'm not going to seal a deal
for you that f*ck my career.

Luca.

Show pony out.

It's no secret
that British tennis

has been built on privilege.

And while we look back on
Longwood's history with pride,

I want our future to be about
excellence without borders.

Which is why I am delighted to
announce that Longwood Academy

and Silver Star Academy
in Orlando,

who have shared such
a successful exchange program,

will now be formally linked.

These sister academies
will provide a one-stop center

for world-class tennis players
from Europe and the Americas.

And our partner joining us
on this deal

is a coach who has shown
what hard work, loyalty

and commitment can achieve.

And Longwood could... could not
be prouder of him.

I am thrilled to announce
Glenn Lapthorn,

who'll be joining our board
as a director,

and rolling out his talent
for creating champions.

- What is it?
- Luca's gone home.

- He's feeling tired.
- They're here for him.

- There's lots of great players.
- No-one knows who they are!

- We need something for press.
- Pick somebody else.

Oh, I'm so sorry, um, no,

it appears that, er, Gianluca

I'm afraid has had to bow out
due to understandable fatigue.

Which actually
gives us a great opportunity

to reunite Glenn with
a Longwood alumna.

The 2018 French Open
semi-finalist, Justine Pearce!

- It's fine, just say no.
- Up for it, Justine?

Go on Justine!

Come on Justine!

I think
that's a great idea.

Don't you?

Justine! Justine!

Come on up.

Woo!

Woo!

Come on Justine.

- Yah!
- Oh!

Out!

Yes!

15-0.

Yeah!

Good shot.

Allez, baby!

That's 15 all.

Lucky.

Don't get c*ck!

Argh!

Argh!

Argh...

Ah, f*ck, f*ck.

sh*t!

- Argh!
- sh*t, sh*t.

- Is it your wrist?
- Yeah, yeah.

Show me!

I'm so sorry.

I should never
have agreed to this.

- So Neil came over?
- Yeah, it wasn't planned.

No. Don't touch me!

You don't get to touch me!

Justine, wait!

- Hey, are you OK?
- What happened?

No! No. I'm not OK!

Justine!

So, she hurt herself?

That wrist never
recovered properly.

She overstretched.

I don't know if she's touched
a racket all these years.

But getting on the court
triggered her somehow.

Did you
do or say anything

to cause her to run away?

I didn't do anything.

You've a gala full of witnesses
who'll testify to that.

I tried to help her
and she freaked out.

Can I help you?

Hello. I wanna report something
that happened five years ago.

I was 16, and my tennis coach,
Glenn Lapthorn,

sexually assaulted me.

It happened many, many times.

Take a seat, miss.

Someone will call you
to take a statement.

Glenn's
a professional, Dad.

He's never coached
anyone in the top 20.

- So?
- That's where we want to be.

You can't push me the way
someone like Glenn can.

I've done everything
I can for you.

That's what I'm saying.

Mr Pearce!

You've gotta trust me.

What an incredible job

you've been doing
with your daughter.

I've been following
her progress.

So impressed.

Justine. We meet at last.

Justine Pearce?

Justine is taking
revenge against her life.

But I didn't make her choices,
she did.

If you don't believe me.
Talk to those close to her.

Talk to her mom and her
oldest friend, Renee Okoye.

They'll tell you.

She's been unhappy
for a very long time.

And seeing me, it just pushed
her right to the edge.

Now she's decided
to fling herself off it

and take me with her.

Justine is one of
my oldest and best friends.

She's not just a friend,
she's like family.

She's smart and she's brave.

I'd do anything for her.

Would you like me
to repeat the question?

As a direct witness to
their relationship at the time,

I must ask you to state
your observations.

I think Justine
wanted something to happen

between her and Glenn

and she was in love with him.

I think she still is.

What I saw was Glenn trying
to manage Justine's advances,

not the other way round.

I don't even think
she's realized

how serious this could get.

These things
Justine's accused him of.

They're delusions.

Fantasies that have
gotten out of control.