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

Chapter 259: Innate Talent for Table Tennis
At 7:30 in the evening, we arrived at the training hall.

As soon as I entered the door, I saw Ma Taki alone in the distance, practicing his serve.

One after another, monotonous and boring.

Looking at Ma Long's somewhat lonely back, Zhang Jiahao felt a lump in his nose for no reason.

"I thought the Dragons weren't coming tonight."

Zhang Jiahao whispered.

Just last night, Ma Taki was still working hard to prepare for the Fukuoka finals.

Unexpectedly, the next day, he was officially announced to have withdrawn from the competition.

I originally thought that after learning the news, Ma Taki would most likely break his promise.

But unexpectedly, Ma Taki arrived as promised.

Even, arrive early.

"A 30-year-old veteran who could still reach the finals of a Grand Slam before he retired frequently."

Zhang Jiahao was indignant. "With such strength, if it was outsourced, it would definitely be a hot commodity."

"It's nothing like Team Long. It makes me sad just watching it."

Ocharov, who is the same age as Ma Taki, is still one of the main players of the German team.

Boll fought until he was in his forties, and only announced his retirement from international competitions at the recent Paris Olympics.

Of course, compared with foreign associations, the situation of the national table tennis team is different.

The competition among the national table tennis team is particularly fierce.

If Ma Taki doesn't step down, it will be difficult for newcomers to come forward.

After all, Ma Taki, who becomes more and more powerful as he gets older, is a mountain that many newcomers cannot overcome.

“Not being able to play against the Dragons once on the court will be a regret in my entire career.”

Xie Mingyang said in a deep voice.

"Why are you suddenly feeling emotional?"

Chen Jin smiled and said, "Captain Long hasn't retired yet, there will be a chance sooner or later."

As they spoke, the three of them stepped forward quickly.

From a distance, Zhang Jiahao had already greeted them warmly, waved excitedly, and shouted, "Team Dragon!"

Ma Long looked in the direction of the voice, a smile appeared on his face: "Are you here?"

"coming."

Chen Jin put the bag on the ground.

"Move around and warm up."

Ma Long weighed a ping-pong ball in his hand and said with a smile, "You still owe me an hour of solo practice."

"One hour?"

Taking out the racket from his bag, Chen Jin exhaled, wiped it with his hands, and said with a smile, "Isn't it just one night?"

"Is the extra time considered interest?"

Ma Taki laughed.

“Is this also considered interest?”

Chen Jin laughed and stretched, "I got a great bargain then."

Seeing Ma Taki and Chen Jin chatting and laughing, they seemed to be in a good mood and were not affected by the withdrawal.

But to others, it was just a forced smile.

Just imagine, it is clearly your spot, and you are even working hard to prepare for it, but suddenly you are told that you are BAN. Who the hell can bear it?

Zhang Jiahao felt so upset that he couldn't help but said, "Captain Long, you..."

The words were not finished.

He was stopped by Chen Jin with a look.

It is obvious that Zhang Jiahao wanted to mention Ma Taki's withdrawal from the competition.

I'm already heartbroken about your unprovoked withdrawal from the competition. Are you trying to rub salt into the wound? Why are you bringing up things that haven't been mentioned yet?

Zhang Jiahao also reacted immediately and shut up.

Unexpectedly, Ma Long laughed and said, "Are you trying to talk about my withdrawal from the competition?"

"Uh……"

Zhang Jiahao smiled awkwardly.

"I had thought about withdrawing from the competition a long time ago, and I think it's OK."

Ma Long looked down at the racket in his hand and said, "Among the top ten in the world, seven are from China."

"If I don't withdraw, according to the rules of the WTT Finals, our national table tennis team will occupy nearly half of the places in this competition."

"This is not necessarily a good thing for table tennis."

As Ma Long said, after he and Fan Zhendong withdrew from the competition, two other external players were immediately replaced.

In this way, the Fukuoka Finals will not become an internal competition of the national table tennis team.

After listening to Ma Long's explanation, Zhang Jiahao muttered: "But you have been training hard..."

"I insist on training, not for a particular game, but because I like table tennis and the environment here."

Ma Long looked around with a smile on his face, his eyes filled with indescribable tenderness. "For me, table tennis is not only a profession, but also a part of my life."

"It's been the same for 20 years. I've gotten used to it."

"If I don't come to practice, I will feel uncomfortable and can't sleep well at night."

Hearing this, Zhang Jiahao fell silent.

Twenty years of training is boring and tedious. You can't just persist in it.

If you don't have passion in your heart, how can you persist?

It is for this reason that Ma Taki deserves the title of “GOAT of Table Tennis”.

"Besides, I'm just withdrawing from the competition, not retiring."

Ma Long looked relaxed and comforted Zhang Jiahao, "At least, I will still participate in the National Games next year."

"I was unwilling to lose the last Grand Slam. I want to fight you on the court."

The last few sentences were obviously directed to Chen Jin.

During this period of withdrawal, in addition to training and work, whenever Ma Long had free time, he would watch Chen Jin's game videos and study Chen Jin's playing style.

Several tactical strategies have been developed against Chen Jin, but it is not known whether they will work.

"What a coincidence, that's what I had in mind."

Chen Jin stretched his muscles and creaked, "Team Long, see you at the next arena!"

……

The next few days.

Chen Jin's training schedule is particularly fulfilling.

Singles in the morning, men's doubles in the afternoon, and mixed doubles in the evening, with almost no rest.

After all, the Fukuoka Finals and the World Youth Championship are only a few days apart.

If we don't take this time to prepare well, we will have no time to train when we go to Sweden.

Singles and men's doubles are actually okay, the key is mixed doubles.

This was the first time I played doubles with Ye Sijia, and we both needed a process to get familiar with each other and adapt.

Three days passed in a flash.

Soon, it was November 11th.

We took off from Capital International Airport on time at 3:15 pm.

More than three hours later, we landed in Tokyo and stayed at Haneda Airport for an hour and a half.

Afterwards, head to Kitakyushu City in Fukuoka Prefecture.

It was almost dawn when we arrived at the hotel.

The hotel lobby is brightly lit.

What was surprising was that Tomokazu Harimoto and his sister and Hina Hayata were also there.

As the host, we welcome the Chinese national table tennis team to stay.

There is no need to say much about the Zhang Ben siblings, and Hina Hayata is one of the hottest players on the Neon women's team in recent years.

In his early years, he trained in the national table tennis team and also knew Chinese.

Fukuoka, the venue for this final, is Hina Hayata's hometown.

They were all acquaintances, and Zhang Benzhihe was extremely enthusiastic.

Perhaps because they were from the same hometown, he felt even more friendly towards Chen Jin.

"When the game is over, I'll treat you to a barbecue."

Zhang Benzhihe smiled and said, "Nikuichi in Fukuoka is one of the best BBQ restaurants in Japan. I have made a reservation long ago."

"Don't think you can win me over with a barbecue."

Chen Jin smiled and said, "When it comes to competition, I will never show mercy when it's time to be ruthless."

"Ha ha ha ha……"

Zhang Benzhihe laughed and said, "If one meal doesn't work, then two meals will do."

Neither Xie Mingyang nor Zhang Jiahao traveled with the team to the Fukuoka finals.

Chen Jin and Lin Shidong were assigned to the same room.

Lin Shidong knew this arrangement very well, someone must have done it deliberately. Having been teammates and opponents for so long, the two of them didn't feel too restrained.

"tired."

With a thud, Lin Shidong fell on the bed, looking tired.

There was a pause.

Lin Shidong suddenly sat up and said, "I have sweaty feet, so I don't think they will stink you, do they?"

"……probably not."

Chen Jin smiled.

As he spoke, he opened the suitcase and took out the toiletries one by one.

"that……"

Lin Shidong hesitated, "I wanted to help you in the last competition."

What he said was incoherent.

Chen Jin was stunned for a moment, puzzled, and looked up at Lin Shidong: "What competition?"

"It's the doubles match between you and Zhang Jiahao."

Lin Shidong said, "I originally wanted to be your sparring partner, but..."

He has always been brooding over this matter.

To this day, I still feel uncomfortable.

Chen Jin was stunned again, then he laughed and said, "Brother Shitou, are you overthinking it?"

"Uh……"

"We didn't even think about finding anyone to practice with because the night before, Team Long secretly gave us some special training."

Chen Jin smiled and said, "However, for this competition, I may need you, Brother Shitou, to help me practice with me."

"I haven't had a suitable opportunity before. This time I want to learn your backhand ripping skills from you, Brother Shitou, in person."

Lin Shidong's backhand tearing is really unique.

The movements are small and explosive.

When he was in the provincial team, Chen Jin had carefully studied the game videos.

He even integrated Lin Shidong's backhand explosive skills into his own backhand system.

You can study the game videos, but they lack details.

What's more, there are some delicate things that only Lin Shidong himself can express.

Take this opportunity to have a discussion with each other.

"Okay."

Lin Shidong smiled with relief, "I also have a lot of things I want to ask you."

"Tell me everything you know."

Chen Jin has always been willing to learn from others.

Sometimes, only when your opponent makes progress can you make further progress.

Chatted with Lin Shidong for a few words.

Chen Jin took his toiletries and went into the bathroom.

When he came out of the shower, he saw Lin Shidong sitting on the bed, talking on a video call with someone.

"Dad, Mom, this is Chen Jin, whom I often mentioned to you before..."

Lin Shidong slightly turned sideways to allow Chen Jin to enter the camera.

On the phone screen was a middle-aged couple with ordinary looks and plain clothes.

Behind the couple, the lights were still on.

Under the light, the words "Ding'an Bone Soup Fragrant Garden" can be seen.

Neon lights are flashing and signs are eye-catching.

Chen Jin was not shy about appearing in the camera unexpectedly. He smiled and waved, "Hello, uncle and aunt."

"Okay, okay, you too."

The couple both have simple and honest smiles.

"Shi Tou, it's too late. You and your teammates have been on a plane for a whole day. You must be exhausted. Go to bed early."

"It's getting cold. When you sleep at night, wrap yourself tightly in the quilt. Don't kick the quilt off, and don't leave your arms out in the open. Don't catch a cold."

After a lot of nagging and instructions, I couldn't hang up the video call for a long time.

Lin Shidong glanced at Chen Jin awkwardly, blushing and saying, "Mom, I'm already nineteen years old, and I haven't kicked the quilt for a long time."

Then we chatted for a few more minutes.

Lin Shidong finally couldn't stand it anymore and said impatiently: "Alright, alright, I'm going to sleep, that's it, bye bye bye bye..."

Having said that, he hung up the video as if he was fleeing.

Feeling relieved, Lin Shidong let out a long sigh and said to Chen Jin a little embarrassedly: "My mother is like this, nagging and never ending."

"pretty good."

Chen Jin lowered his eyes and leaned over to make the bed. "I heard that you chose the career path because of your parents?"

"Yes, my dad likes playing table tennis."

Lin Shidong smiled, a look of reminiscence on his face, "My hometown is Danzhou, Hainan. Some people said I was the 'Prince of Hainan' before, but my parents are just ordinary people. They opened a bone soup garden in their hometown, and it's an open-air one."

"There is a ping-pong table in the garden, where I learned to play when I was a child."

"When I was seven years old, my father sent me to a table tennis club for systematic training. As time went by, I joined the HAN provincial team and was selected for the national team..."

He said it was easy, but in fact, only he knew how much he had been through.

However, the only thing that is certain is that when talking about table tennis, Lin Shidong's eyes flashed with innocent starlight.

"Chen Jin, how did you become a professional table tennis player?"

Lin Shidong asked curiously.

He hadn't heard much about Chen Jin's deeds.

All we know is that Chen Jin came from the S Province Team and studied under the "gold medal coach" Coach Wu.

As for the rest, I know nothing about it.

"I'm a little bit better than you."

Chen Jin smiled and said, "I loved playing table tennis in my previous life, and I was pretty good at it."

"clear."

Lin Shidong smiled lightly, "You mean, your talent is innate."

Which player who can make it into the national table tennis team is not gifted?

At such a young age, Chen Jin swept a group of world-famous players with his straight-blade horizontal hitting technique, which was generally recognized to be outdated. Such talent is simply incredible.

Chen Jin smiled and said nothing.

Lie on the bed, pick up your phone and connect to the hotel room's WIFI.

"Come to think of it, I haven't been home for more than two years."

Lin Shidong sighed, "I hope I can go home and visit my parents when I have time."

"After the Ping Pong Super League, there should be time."

"Ah."

Lin Shidong stood up and walked to the bathroom, "I'm going to wash up."

soon.

There was a sound of splashing water in the bathroom.

The room grew quieter.

After a moment of silence, Chen Jin opened his WeChat message.

Looking at the three or two notes pinned to the top, I was distracted for a moment.

Finally didn’t click it.

Instead, another monitoring software was opened.

The other end of the surveillance camera is connected to my father-in-law's small courtyard.

On the wall of the yard, a light was on all night just to illuminate the dark surveillance screen.

At this time, it was already midnight in the country.

The lights in my father-in-law's room had already been turned off.

This time, Chen Jin learned his lesson and did not call out.

After staring blankly at the seemingly still picture for a while, Chen Jin came to his senses and immediately called up the surveillance footage from the previous few days.

Remote monitoring, after setting up, can automatically store seven days of images.

Automatic coverage within seven days.

Although the image quality is a bit poor, you can still see clearly that a lonely old man is walking in and out of the yard.

In his spare time, he would talk to himself or show off his achievements in front of the surveillance camera.

"Xiao Jinzi, my father-in-law bought a few chicks today. We can eat them after the New Year."

"Xiao Jinzi, my father-in-law cooked braised pork today. It smells delicious. Do you want to eat it?"

"Xiao Jinzi, the temperature has dropped in the past few days, you should wear more clothes."

"Little Jinzi, grandpa misses you so much..."

(End of this chapter)