The Match Begins

'The match is going to start soon' I thought as I watched the filled-up stadium. As the time was getting closer and closer to the beginning of the match I turned towards the annoying person who decided to sit next to me.

"Nathan…" I started as he also turned to look at me as well.

"Oh, Done Ignoring me now." He said to which I looked at him annoyed. I rolled my eyes and then looked down at the court.

"Do you think Anthony is going to win?" I asked him. From the short time that I've met Anthony, he didn't seem like the type of person who really cared about the outcome of things.

He also looked down at the court thinking for a while."..He won't.." He stated after a moment. I looked at him surprised. 

"Really? How come? Shouldn't you saying how good your brother is and how only you could beat him or something like that." I questioned him. I honestly didn't think he would flat-out say no like that.

He chuckled at my response. "I know my little brother, he doesn't care for tennis as much anymore since there haven't been any good players for a while so he stopped caring for it," Nathan said while keeping his eyes on the court. " I don't think he's even been practicing or training as much these days" He added.

"Then… Do you think the match will be one-sided if that's the case" I questioned him to which he just laughed.

"I didn't say that now." He replied to which I looked at him confused. " I do think Anthony will lose, but I also think that during this match he will get his spark back." He added to which I just looked at him even more confused.

"How are you so sure" I asked him.

He stayed silent for a while but then shrugged. "No clue, let's just call it a gut feeling." He said.

"A gut feeling huh" I muttered then turned my head towards the court as both Adam and Anthony started towards the court.

~3rd Person POV~

As the players took their courts, the stadium filled with roaring applause as thousands of people gathered to watch the match. Anthony, the current ranked 5th player, stood strong as he stepped in. On the other side of the court was Adam, ready and eager to challenge the standing top 5 for the first time. They both held their rackets tight in tense hands, anticipation filling the air as to who would win the first set.

Excitement filled the air as the players took their courts. 

The commentators' voices echoed through the stadium, his words heightening the anticipation of the match. "It's been over eight years since the top five rankings have seen any change,' the commentator remarked, "but could tonight be the night we witness a shake-up?"

A coin toss was made and it was decided Anthony would serve first.

 Anthony retrieved a tennis ball and soon started to wind up his shot.

Anthony served up a powerful shot, sending the ball flying up in the air and dropping it right near the service line. It was a perfect serve, leaving Adam with very little time to react and return the ball. Adam managed to get to the ball in time to hit a return but he couldn't get a good angle and sent the ball sailing back long. 

After the first point, the crowd started cheering but soon quieted down as Anthony retrieved another ball. Adam who was initially surprised by the power behind the serve seemed unphased as he watched Anthony grab another ball. Slowly a smirk started to form on his face as he watched Anthony wind up.

Anthony served again but this time Adam was able to respond in time and sent the ball to the opposite side of the court. 

Adam quickly sent the ball back to the opposite side of the court. The exchange intensified as Adam continued to push Anthony to his limits. With each shot, the crowd held its breath, captivated by the match.

As Anthony scrambled to reach a particularly tricky shot, Adam seized the opportunity, delivering a perfectly placed return that left Anthony sprawling. The crowd erupted into cheers as the scoreboard reflected Adam's hard-earned point.

The match was back at a stalemate as it was 15-15 for both sides. Anthony took a deep breath and soon retrieved another ball. Anthony composed himself, his focus on the ball in his hand. Retrieving another ball, he prepared to unleash his most powerful serve.

 "Ohh, it seems like Anthony is getting serious earlier than normal here." The commentator remarked,

With unwavering focus, Anthony unleashed his signature serve, sending the ball hurtling toward Adam with blistering speed and power. The commentator's voice crackled with excitement as Anthony unleashed this signature move earlier than was normally expected.

The audience once again began to grow excited at seeing Anthony starting to get serious so early on in the match.

With his signature move unleashed, the match was now truly beginning.

The audience, sensing the shift in momentum, erupted in excitement at witnessing Anthony's early display of dominance.

Anthony was still serving as he sent down two more powerful serves identical to the one he had sent beforehand. However, one thing in particular stood out to the commentators and audience. 

Adam made no attempts to run after the ball or prepare for the shot. He was simply standing there and watching Anthony serve without moving at all, seemingly unfazed by the powerful serves coming his way.

This took everyone by surprise and left everyone wondering what Adam's strategy was and why he was so calm and still in the face of danger.

"What this?? It seems as if Adam has given up on the set." The commentator's voice took on a note of confusion as he questioned Adam's unusual behavior, wondering aloud if there was a strategy behind his apparent passivity. The audience caught between excitement and frustration, began to voice their disapproval, booing Adam for his lack of response and joking that he had conceded defeat before the match had even truly begun.

With those two serves Anthony took the first game. 

After the server change, as Adam walked past Anthony to the other side of the court, he mumbled the words "Interesting, very interesting indeed.". This caught Anthony's attention, and he tilted his head and looked back at him, confused.

Anthony then turned his attention back to the match and the two players got ready to start serving for the second set.

With this small interaction, Anthony started feeling wary about the upcoming set. He couldnt help but feel like he was missing something.