Table tennis: Swinging the racket billions of times, achieving a grand slam

Chapter 254 Ma Taki: The future is yours

"The key to doubles is tacit cooperation and coordinated movement."

"During the game, you must have absolute trust in your teammates and at the same time be determined to cover for them. You must never rely on luck."

“One left and one right combination, when running to fill in the gap, it is best to use figure eight footwork and move sideways immediately after hitting the ball to make room for teammates.”

"Serve with two bounces and stay out of the table, limit the opponent's first serve, and the landing point must be accurate."

"Try to be active in the first three shots. Chen Jin, you have a straight racket. If there is a chance, you can hit the ball from the table or chop it long. When you are halfway out of the table, you can rush decisively to reduce passive defense."

"Zhang Jiahao, your offense is far inferior to Chen Jin's, but your rotation and landing are good, so you have to take on the responsibility of defense and rhythm control to create offensive scoring opportunities for Chen Jin."

"Try to cross-attack the opponent's two big corners, press and chase, or press one corner continuously, forcing the opponent to squeeze together, and then change the line to attack the other corner."

"In addition, since doubles players need to move around at all times, most people cannot stand steadily. They are afraid of bursts and loops."

"So if there's no chance to sprint, just spin the ball as hard as you can."

……

Ma Long stood by and acted as a coach, watching Chen Jin and Zhang Jiahao's training closely and constantly giving corrections and instructions.

To know.

Ma Taki is a tactical master himself. Whether in singles or doubles, his ability to read the details of the game is unmatched in today's table tennis world.

With rich experience and sophisticated tactics, he often hits the nail on the head.

Under the guidance of Ma Taki.

The cooperation between Chen Jin and Zhang Jiahao is becoming more and more tacit.

Positioning, attacking, rhythm... everything has reached perfection.

The two seemed to be in sync with each other, integrated into one, advancing and retreating in moderation, and invincible.

Even Ma Long couldn't help but praise it after seeing it.

"In terms of singles ability, Zhang Jiahao is far inferior to Chen Jin."

"But when playing doubles with Chen Jin, his ability to hit loops from mid-range and long-range positions, combined with Chen Jin's violent style of play, one attacking and one defending, complement each other."

"Moreover, they cooperated well and moved flexibly, just like comrades-in-arms killing the enemy back to back on the battlefield."

more importantly.

In Zhang Jiahao, Ma Long vaguely saw the shadow of an old friend.

"Although Zhang Jiahao is a horizontal player, his ability to play loops from mid-range to long range is very similar to that of my junior brother."

The corners of Ma Long's mouth curled up slightly, and a warm smile quietly emerged.

Little did he know that when Zhang Jiahao was in the Magic City team, he had received instruction from "that old friend", which is why their playing styles are so similar.

"It seems that Huang Youzheng's place in this World Youth Championship is on the line."

Ma Taki thought.

Although Huang Youzheng also came from the Beijing team, he naturally knew the team's strength.

Losing to Zhang Jiahao in the National Championships was self-evident.

Now, seeing the doubles training of Chen Jin and Zhang Jiahao and their tacit cooperation, I feel more and more that Zhang Jiahao is indeed more qualified than Huang Youzheng.

After all, the two were competing for the chance to play doubles with Chen.

An hour and a half passed quickly.

Seeing the doubles cooperation between Chen Jin and Zhang Jiahao, they had a perfect understanding.

Ma Long immediately took the initiative to say: "In any competition, training is one thing, and actual combat is another."

"You guys are well trained, but how about actual combat? We need to take them out for a walk to see if they are mules or horses."

The implication couldn't be more obvious.

Chen Jin and Zhang Jiahao had the same intention.

Next.

Ma Long and Xie Mingyang teamed up to form a combination and had a training match against Chen and Zhang.

Firstly, Ma Long and Xie Mingyang were a temporary team and had no tacit understanding at all.

Secondly, Xie Mingyang is not good at doubles.

In addition, the combination of Chen Jin and Zhang Jiahao has control, output, and tactical command, which is very powerful.

No matter how strong Ma Taki is, he is not as strong as he was in the past. He can't handle the whole thing alone.

After five rounds, Chen Jin and Zhang Jiahao won by a crushing margin.

"You two doubles team are like me and Xu Xin back then."

Ma Taki laughed.

Coming from the mouth of the "doubles super grand slam" in front of us, there is no doubt that these words are of high value.

What's more, the Dragon and Python combination was so dominant in the men's doubles competition back then.

The world's number one men's doubles, well deserved!
So far, even the world No. 1 doubles duo of Xiang Peng and Yuan Licen, and the Lebrun brothers, cannot compare to them.

These words are not only an expectation for the younger generation, but also a remembrance of one's own past.

"Thanks, Dragon Team."

Chen Jin and Zhang Jiahao hurriedly said, "Thanks to your guidance, Captain Long, otherwise we wouldn't have made such progress."

"No need to be so modest."

Ma Long sighed softly, "Every generation has its own talented people, but I am old after all."

"The future is yours, I..."

The words were not finished.

Chen Jin and Zhang Jiahao were so scared that they kept waving their hands: "Captain Long, no, no, no."

"The future belongs to you", these six short words, spoken from Ma Long's mouth, sound like Shen Gongbao's words "Fellow Taoist, please stay".

Looking back to the 17 World Table Tennis Championships.

Ma Long defeated Fan Zhendong with a big score of 4:3. After winning the championship, he said, "The future belongs to Xiaopang."

As a result, a few years later at the Tokyo Olympics, Ma Taki stepped on Fan Zhendong's shoulders and won the world's only double-fist Grand Slam.

Since then, the phrase "the future is yours" has become a curse in table tennis.

What's more, it was Ma Taki who said it in person.

Chen Jin and Zhang Jiahao were shocked and quickly interrupted Ma Long's spell.

"With your doubles cooperation, it will be easy for you to participate in the World Youth Championship and win the championship."

Ma Long's words were by no means a joke; he truly believed in the combination of Chen Jin and Zhang Jiahao.

With Chen Jin's strength alone, and only using the serve-and-grab tactics, he might be able to defeat the young players in the World Youth Championship.

"Thanks for the good words, Team Dragon."

Chen Jin smiled.

"According to our previous agreement, shouldn't you accompany me to practice singles now?"

Ma Long looked at Chen Jin with a smile.

"without……"

Chen Jinzheng wanted to agree immediately.

The words were not finished.

Sudden.

The cell phone rings loudly.

"Who?"

Ma Long frowned.

He walked over, took out his phone from his backpack, and glanced at the note.

The originally dissatisfied expression on his face melted away in an instant, and was replaced by a gentle smile.

As soon as the video was connected.

Two innocent children came into view.

"Baba."

The child said in a baby voice, "It's raining outside and I can't sleep. When will you come back to tell me a story?"

Hearing this, Ma Long's smile became even more intense.

It seems like my heart is about to melt, and even my eyes have become the same as Li Ronghao's.

"Dad will be back soon."

"Hurry up."

After hanging up the video, Ma Long shrugged his shoulders and smiled helplessly: "It's too late today, and my child urged me to go home."

"understand."

Chen Jin smiled.

The former milk dragon has now evolved into the current "daddy dragon".

Time flies and the world changes.

Perhaps the only thing that remains unchanged is the loyalty and love for table tennis in my heart.

"You owe me an hour of solo practice."

Ma Long couldn't stop thinking about it. "How about moving it to tomorrow night at 7:30?"

"No problem at all."

Chen Jin agreed very readily.

Who would refuse to practice with a world-class player like Ma Taki?

"Death date, see you there."

Having said that, Ma Long packed up his things and hurriedly left the training hall alone.

Watching Ma Long's back as he walked away, Zhang Jiahao had a look of satisfaction on his face: "It is my great honor to play with Team Dragon in this life!" He took out a training ball from his pocket and held it in his palm as if it were a priceless treasure.

"When we were playing just now, Team Long blew at this ball."

Zhang Jiahao said seriously, "I want to keep this ball and pass it down as a family heirloom."

“Is it necessary to be so exaggerated?”

Chen Jin rolled his eyes, "I thought you would ask Team Long to give you an autograph."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jiahao was suddenly stunned.

Snapped!
He slapped his forehead suddenly, his face full of annoyance: "Yeah, why did I forget?"

"There's still a chance tomorrow night."

"Brother Jin, you must remember to remind me. I'm afraid I'll be too excited to see Captain Long and forget it again."

Chen Jin spread his hands and did not comment.

At this moment.

Xie Mingyang reminded him, "It's almost eleven o'clock, are you still practicing?"

"It should be almost done."

Zhang Jiahao said, "I am going back to the palace. My concubines are still in my browser favorites, waiting for me to turn over the cards when I go back."

At this time, outside the training hall, a drizzle began to fall, bringing a slight chill.

The dim street lights illuminated the figures of three young men walking side by side.

"Brother Jin, I remember that after the Fukuoka Finals, the Mixed Team World Cup will follow. With your current performance, you should participate in this."

Zhang Jiahao asked curiously, "Why did the coaching staff send you to participate in the World Youth Championship?"

"What if they lose like they did in the Asian Championships without you?"

Chen Jin smiled and said, "For this mixed team World Cup, the foreign associations basically didn't send their main players to participate. If we can still lose, then we're screwed."

"Besides, at my age, is there any problem in participating in the World Youth Championship?"

For this World Youth Championship, he and Xie Mingyang registered for the U19 team, not the U15 team.

"Of course there is a problem, a big problem!"

Zhang Jiahao said seriously, "You are currently ranked third in the world. Isn't participating in the World Youth Championship pure fishing?"

You know, although Chen Jin is not yet sixteen years old, he has competed with many of the world's top players and has never been defeated.

Such strength is undoubtedly enough to sweep all the players in the World Youth Championship.

"Think about it from another angle."

Chen Jin smiled and said, "If someone beats me in the World Youth Championship, wouldn't that make me famous?"

"Defeat you?"

Zhang Jiahao chuckled.

Since his debut, he has never been defeated, even when facing masters like Ma Long and Wang Chuqin.

In just a World Youth Championship, who can be Chen Jin's opponent?

Xie Mingyang suddenly said: "This World Youth Championship may be an opportunity for us."

"good."

Chen Jin nodded.

"When the time comes, I will show no mercy."

Xie Mingyang said in a deep voice.

"I won't even do that."

Chen Jin smiled.

"very good."

"very good?"

"I finally have the chance to compete with you in a real arena."

Xie Mingyang turned his head and looked at Chen Jin.

There was a flash of heat in the depths of his eyes.

Since the trials, the two have never faced each other on the court again.

In the past two months, Xie Mingyang felt that his strength had improved a lot, and he wanted to have a good game with Chen Jin all the time.

"Mr. Xie, don't let Brother Jin beat you to your knees and beg for mercy, crying for your parents."

Zhang Jiahao curled his lips and spoke sarcastically.

"So what?"

Xie Mingyang didn't take it as an offense at all, "At worst, I can just abuse you back next time."

"Pooh!"

Zhang Jiahao spat on the ground, "Mr. Xie, let me tell you, I am no longer a weakling. I will pay you back double for the humiliation you suffered in the past!"

"I'm waiting for you."

Xie Mingyang put his hands in his trouser pockets, looking indifferent.

……

The next morning, it was still dark.

Chen Jin got up early as usual.

Just opened the room.

Crunch!

The door of the next room opened almost at the same time.

Xie Mingyang came out.

The two looked at each other and said nothing.

He tiptoed quietly and was about to go out.

Sudden.

Another "crunching" sound was heard.

The two looked back in surprise.

But Zhang Jiahao appeared in front of him, already fully dressed.

"Brother Jin, do you want to go for a run?"

Zhang Jiahao supported himself on the door frame, wearing running shoes, "Why didn't you ask me to join you?"

With a look of surprise, Chen Jin looked Zhang Jiahao up and down, as if he was examining a completely unfamiliar stranger.

"You...want to run too?"

Chen Jin was stunned.

I have been in the S Province Team with Zhang Jiahao, living in the same room with him, and spending more than two years together. But have I ever seen him get up so early and go jogging with me in the morning?
Is the sun going to rise from the west today?
"of course."

Zhang Jiahao straightened the corner of his clothes and said, "If I'm not going for a run, why am I wearing this?"

"It was just a little unexpected."

Chen Jin smiled.

"It's because I have a game today and I'm too nervous to sleep."

Xie Mingyang said lightly.

"fart!"

Zhang Jiahao raised his head and said, "Go ask the Magic City team. I, Zhang Jiahao, always get up at six in the morning and go out for a run."

"Brilliant!"

Chen Jin gave a thumbs up.

As if it was unprecedented, the three of them went out together, jogging side by side in the cold breeze of dawn.

Although they didn't speak to each other, their pace and breathing were surprisingly consistent.

At seven o'clock, I returned to the dormitory.

Take a shower, wash your face and change your clothes.

Then, carrying his backpack, he headed to the cafeteria.

Had breakfast.

The three of them went straight to the training hall.

At this time, there were not many people in the training hall.

Put your things down and stretch to warm up.

Until half past eight.

Gradually more and more people came.

Wang Chuqin, Lin Shidong, Xiang Peng, Yuan Licen, Liang Jingkun, Lin Gaoyuan, Huang Youzheng, Wen Ruibo and others arrived at the training hall one after another.

"Huh? Is it so early?"

At nine o'clock, coaches including Li Suo, Wang Hao, Ma Lin and Li Qian arrived late.

Gather together men and women.

"Two things to be notified."

As the head coach of the national table tennis team, Li Su stood in front of everyone and glanced around. "First, the seeding for the Fukuoka Finals is based on the world rankings just released today."

"Five players have been selected for the men's team, No. 1 seed Wang Chuqin, No. 2 seed Lin Shidong, No. 3 seed Chen Jin, No. 4 seed Liang Jingkun, and No. 10 seed Lin Gaoyuan."

……

(End of this chapter)