What Is The Ending Of 'Carrie Soto Is Back'?

I just finished 'Carrie Soto Is Back' and that ending hit hard. Carrie, this fierce tennis legend who came out of retirement to reclaim her record, finally faces her younger rival Nicki Chan in the ultimate match. The tension is insane—every serve feels like life or death. Carrie loses, but here's the kicker: she doesn't care about the trophy anymore. The moment she hugs Nicki, you realize she's won something bigger. Her dad Javier, who trained her relentlessly, tells her he's proud not of the titles but of her courage. The book closes with Carrie teaching kids at a public court, smiling like she's found peace. It's not about being the best; it's about loving the game again.

As someone who devours sports fiction, 'Carrie Soto Is Back' delivers a finale that's raw and real. The climactic match isn't just about tennis—it's Carrie's entire life flashing before her. Taylor Jenkins Reid nails the details: the way Carrie's knees ache, the crowd's roar fading into white noise, the ball moving in slow motion. After losing to Nicki, Carrie collapses on the court, but instead of rage, she feels relief. The next chapters show her rebuilding relationships she burned during her ruthless career.

What struck me is how Javier's cancer diagnosis puts everything in perspective. Carrie spends his final months just talking with him, not training. The last scene gutted me: she donates her trophies to a girls' sports foundation, keeping only one—the first one Javier ever bought her. It's a quiet ending, but it lingers. If you liked this, try 'The Final Revival of Opal & Nev' for another comeback story with soul.

The ending of 'Carrie Soto Is Back' subverts expectations beautifully. Carrie's arc isn't about winning; it's about shedding her 'Battle Axe' persona. During the final match, she realizes she's playing not for glory but for the sheer joy of competition. When Nicki wins, Carrie does something unthinkable—she applauds. That small act shows her growth from a merciless champion to someone who respects the sport.

Later, there's a poignant moment where Carrie visits her mother's grave, something she avoided for years. She leaves a tennis ball there, symbolizing forgiveness—for her mom's abandonment and her own perfectionism. The book ends with Carrie commentating at Wimbledon, cracking jokes with the audience. It's a full-circle moment: she's still in tennis, but now she's giving back instead of taking. For similar redemption themes, check out 'Lessons in Chemistry'—another story about fierce women redefining success.