Tennis Domination (Part 1)
1st ROUND
The day had finally arrived for the 'Miyagi Inter-Junior High Tournament' tennis competition, and I was geared up to take part in the singles category.
Just like last time, my goal was crystal clear: clinch victory and secure a spot in the Nationals. The prospect of facing tougher opponents there didn't deter me; it only fueled my determination.
I found myself engaged in a warm-up session with a player from Shiratorizawa Middle School. This warm-up, known as a 'Rally Warm-up,' involved hitting the ball back and forth. It's a common practice in tennis that not only gets the blood flowing but also helps in getting a feel for the game.
Earlier, we had tossed a coin to decide who would serve first. The result was in favor of my opponent, thanks to the coin landing on tails. It was a simple twist of fate, but it only added to the excitement of the upcoming match.
"Play!" The umpire's voice resonated across the court, signaling the commencement of the match.
"Go Sora-san!" A chorus of voices rang out simultaneously from the stands, a spirited encouragement that filled the air with energy.
I glanced towards the stands and was met with the heartwarming sight of numerous students and teachers rallying behind me. Among them were familiar faces – Shoyo, Koji, and Izumi – my brother and friends who had always been by my side.
Through my victories in various tennis tournaments, it had become evident that I had garnered quite a following. The support of these fans was a testament to the hard work and dedication I had poured into the sport.
With a swift and precise motion, my opponent's serve sliced through the air, the ball hurtling towards me with speed and spin.
Reacting instinctively, I adjusted my stance and timing, making contact with the ball just as it reached the peak of its bounce. My racket met the ball with a satisfying thud, and I sent it back across the net with a controlled topspin shot.
The ball cleared the net and dipped just inside the baseline on my opponent's side, leaving them momentarily caught off guard and allowing me to take the point with a successful return.
...
In the midst of an intense rally, my opponent's shot came hurtling toward me. The ball was quick and well-placed, and I moved to intercept it.
However, their shot had a wicked curve, veering sharply towards the singles sideline. Despite my best effort to reach it, the ball sailed past me, landing just inches from the sideline and earning my opponent the point.
The crowd's gasps and cheers added to the electric atmosphere as I acknowledged the point and mentally regrouped for the next exchange.
...
Amidst the rapid back-and-forth, my opponent's shot pushed me to the limit. With a burst of energy, I managed to return the ball, but it landed on the service box, an area that was precarious due to its proximity to the net.
Seeing the opportunity, my opponent pounced on the situation. With expert timing and precision, they unleashed a powerful shot that skimmed the net and landed just beyond my reach, deep within my court.
I lunged, but the ball sped past me, untouched, before bouncing twice on my side. The crowd erupted in awe as my opponent's aggressive play paid off, resulting in a perfectly executed winner.
The moment was a testament to the fine margins of the game, where split-second decisions and inch-perfect shots could determine the course of a match. As the cheers and applause echoed around me, I reset my focus, determined to turn the momentum back in my favor.
...
After a series of intense exchanges, the first set concluded with a score of 3-6, favoring my opponent.
===============
Shoyo's POV
The conclusion of the first set brought an unexpected turn, and the collective gasp of shock from the people who were fervently cheering for Aniki echoed in my ears.
"Oh no, this is not going well for Sora," Izumi's worried voice cut through the air.
"Yeah, it seems so," Koji chimed in, his concern palpable.
I, on the other hand, is not really worried.
Having watched Aniki's matches on TV before, I knew that losing the first set wasn't necessarily a sign of defeat. Aniki had a strategic approach – he used the initial set to meticulously study his opponent's playstyle, learning their strengths and weaknesses.
And then there was Aniki's unshakable mental resilience. The guy was a rock. A first-set loss might rattle others, but not him. I look up to him since for me, he was the embodiment of perseverance, refusing to let setbacks define him.
"Play!" I heard the umpire say, and it was the start of the second set.
=========================
Sora's POV
I may have lost the first set, but that didn't upset me.
In the midst of the 1st set, I observed my opponent keenly. His strengths were evident – a remarkable topspin and surprising power for his build. Despite being lean and standing three inches shorter than me, he possessed a certain finesse that demanded respect.
However, alongside his strengths, I also uncovered his vulnerabilities. First, his Achilles' heel was fast, flat, and potent strokes. The kind that could catch him off guard, unsettling his rhythm.
Second, agility wasn't his forte, making it clear why he compensated with those sideline hits. And finally, a chink in his armor – his serve lacked the force and precision to dominate.
"Play!" The umpire's voice cut through the air, signaling the start of the second set.
Taking my position at the baseline, it was my turn to serve first this time. Unlike serving in Volleyball, where I might falter, serving in Tennis had always been my strong suit. The thrill of watching my opponents struggle to return my well-placed shots was one of my favorite aspects of the game.
With a confident grip on the ball, I launched into my serve routine. The familiar rhythm flowed through me as I brought the ball up, my muscles coiling for power. With a swift and precise motion, I released the ball and connected with it, sending a flat, powerful serve rocketing towards the center service line.
The ball struck the court with a satisfying thud, landing squarely on the designated mark. My opponent's eyes widened in surprise, but there was little they could do – the speed and placement left them rooted in place. The ball was too fast, too precise, and they hadn't even had a chance to react, let alone move, as it zipped past them.
With the score now reading 15-0 in my favor, I felt a surge of confidence. The strong start to the second set was exactly what I needed to turn the tide.
After the successful serve, I shifted my attention to the radar gun, which measured the speed of the ball. The digital display confirmed what I had hoped – my serve had clocked in at an impressive 120 mph. For middle schoolers, that was undeniably fast, a fact that filled me with a sense of accomplishment.
The crowd's cheers echoed in my ears, a chorus of support that further fueled my determination.
...
A time skip carried us forward, the minutes and exchanges blending into one another. With unwavering determination, I battled through the second set, my strategies and adaptability on full display. The scoreboard told the story: a resounding victory of 6-1, the set unequivocally in my favor.
The crowd's cheers and applause intensified as the final point of the set was secured. The journey from a shaky start to this commanding finish was marked by calculated plays, relentless effort, and a deep connection to the rhythm of the game.
As I caught my breath and exchanged a nod with my opponent across the net, I knew that the tide had shifted irrevocably.
...
"Game, set, and match, Hinata!" The umpire's voice rang out, sealing my victory and marking the end of the match.
The score was 3-6/6-1/6-0. My opponent didn't have a strategy after I started to hit flat and powerful strokes, there's also the fact that I casually hit aces that averages around 105-121 m/ph.
As the match concluded, I extended my hand to my opponent, a symbol of respect and sportsmanship.
===================
I made my way toward the locker room, the weight of the match gradually easing off my shoulders.
"Aniki!" Shoyo's voice called out to me, breaking through my thoughts.
Turning around, I saw Shoyo, Izumi, and Koji approaching me. Their smiles and presence were a welcome sight after the intensity of the match.
"Congrats!" Shoyo's enthusiasm was palpable as he enveloped me in a hug, a gesture of genuine camaraderie.
Returning the embrace with a grateful smile, I responded, "Thanks, Shoyo."
"Sora, I'll admit, I was worried when you lost that first set," Koji confessed, his concern evident in his words.
"Same here," Izumi chimed in, nodding in agreement, "Congratulations!"
"Thanks you two as well," I said with a smile, "Do you guys wanna watch other matches while we wait for my second match of the day?"
Shoyo's eyes lit up with excitement. "Sure!"
Koji nodded in agreement. "I want to see how others play."
Izumi grinned. "Count me in. Plus, it'll help pass the time."
With a shared sense of anticipation, we headed towards the courts where the other matches were underway.
========================
2nd Round
The day's journey led me to the final match, a culmination of effort and dedication. At this juncture of the tournament, every player faced a challenge – participating in two matches within a single day.
The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm, golden glow over the court. The collective weariness and excitement in the air mirrored my own mix of exhaustion and determination.
As with the previous matches, the ritual of the coin toss played out once more. Fortune favored me this time, granting me the opportunity to serve first. The familiar rally warm-ups followed a practice that had become a soothing rhythm amidst the intensity.
My opponent is from Chidoriyama Junior High, a powerhouse middle school when it comes to athletics. It's also the middle school that Nishinoya attended.
"Start!"
With the umpire's command, I stepped up to the baseline, the ball cradled in my hand. The familiar surge of adrenaline accompanied my preparation. Channeling the lessons from earlier matches, I launched into my serve.
The ball sailed with precision, a flat and powerful shot aimed squarely at the center service line. The speed and accuracy left my opponent momentarily frozen, unable to react in time. Their return attempt was a mere flicker of a response as the ball sailed past them, untouched, scoring me an opening point.
The court seemed to hold its breath for a moment, the weight of that first point setting the tone for what was to come. With a quick glance at the opponent, I stood ready, my determination heightened by the knowledge that every serve, every shot, and every point was a step forward on this demanding journey.
...
"Game, set, and match, Hinata!" The umpire's voice rang out, sealing my victory and marking the end of the match.
Unlike the previous rounds, this match was a quicker affair, spanning just two sets with scores of 6-2 and 6-1. During the match, I noticed that my opponent shared the same vulnerabilities as those I had faced before. The strategies that had served me well in earlier matches seamlessly translated, eliminating the need for on-the-fly adjustments.
As I exchanged a handshake with my opponent, mutual respect for the battle we had engaged in was evident. Every point had been a testament to the sport's competitive spirit, and as I made my way off the court, I couldn't help but feel a deep sense of satisfaction.
========================
3rd Round
It was a new day and a new match.
Just like yesterday, we did the ritual of the coin toss played out once more, and luckily, I will serve first. The familiar rally warm-ups followed a practice that had become a soothing rhythm amidst the intensity.
This time, my opponent is from Kitagawa Daiichi, making me more fired up since it was the same school that has beaten us in the volleyball match.
I turned to the stands and I once again saw the same supporters from yesterday. And three of them are of course, Shoyo, Izumi, and Koji.
"Start!"
...
"Game, set, and match, Hinata!" The umpire's voice rang out, sealing my victory and marking the end of the match.
The match ended in 42 minutes, with scores of 6-1 and 6-1. The opponent has the same weakness as the previous ones, which made me unable to change strategies.
With a handshake shared between me and my opponent, I acknowledged the effort and sportsmanship that had defined our match.
=================
Taking a well-deserved break, Shoyo, Koji, Izumi, and I settled into the stands to watch the ongoing tennis matches. The atmosphere was charged with the excitement of the tournament, a symphony of racket hits, cheers, and the occasional gasp from the crowd.
"Sora, what kind of training do you usually do?" Koji's question broke through the chatter, directing our attention toward me.
I leaned back, considering his inquiry. "Well, my training routine is a mix of different elements. I focus on my overall fitness, so there's a lot of cardiovascular work, agility drills, and strength training. Endurance is crucial, given the demands of the game."
Shoyo nodded in agreement. "Yeah, I remember you're pretty fast on the court."
I'm fast, but if I were to compare myself to Shoyo, Shoyo is a lot faster and more agile.
I grinned at the compliment. "Thanks, Shoyo. Speed is definitely an advantage in tennis."
Izumi chimed in, curious. "And what about your practice sessions?"
I leaned forward, my enthusiasm for the sport evident. "Practice sessions are where I work on my shots, footwork, and strategies. I like to practice my serves a lot – it's a skill that can really turn the tide in a match. And of course, honing my accuracy and control is a constant effort."
Koji raised an eyebrow. "And how about mental preparation? Do you do anything special?"
I leaned back, reflecting on his question. "Absolutely. Mental preparation is key. I use visualization techniques to mentally walk through matches and situations. Staying focused and managing pressure is just as important as physical training."
As we continued our conversation, I realized how much thought and effort went into every aspect of my training regimen. Sharing these insights with my friends made me appreciate the journey even more.