At 56 Abby doesn’t understand her granddaughter Mia and her commitment to soccer. Especially her language after a loss. Or how she’d rather play softball than go to a dance. Or how she lifts weights. And runs. Or always comes home covered in mud and blood after a lacrosse game.
But after a divorce Abby begins attending Mia’s games and sees something she was never allowed to experience growing up; being part of a team.
At Mia’s suggestion Abby joins a local tennis club in posh Boca Raton and takes up tennis again. Abby is amazed by how different that team is from Mia’s teams.
Mia’s teammates work together. Abby’s teammates hardly speak. When they do it’s to deride a teammate about her play, her hair, or her nails.
Mia’s teammates listen to their coaches. Abby’s teammates ignore theirs. Mia’s teammates practice. Abby’s teammates shop.
Of course Mia’s team win and Abby’s team loses. Abby wants to get better. To do so she seeks the help of a nameless “invisible” black woman who works behind the desk at the club who admits “I used to play a little tennis.” In fact Sophie Smith had been a touring tennis pro and had beaten the best in the world and remains friends with many famous tennis players from the past. She knows the game.
She agrees to help Abby and her team on two conditions: They play her way, and they do so quickly, since time is running out for Sophie.