The Prince of Tennis: From Data-Driven Tennis to the Pinnacle of His Career

At 2 PM, with the end of the second round of the competition, Yamabuki Junior High School finally faced their second opponent in the Tokyo Metropolitan Tournament, Ginka Junior High School.

Kagura Ijin walked steadily toward the referee's table and handed over the pre-prepared lineup.

He then calmly returned to the coaching bench.

The specific lineup of players.

Doubles Team 2: Sato and Oda.

Doubles Team 1: Guji Muxin and Ishimaru Kanto.

The third singles match was against Sengoku Kiyosumi.

The second singles match is against Kagura Ichijin.

First singles player: Jin Akutsu.

"Hey, Kagura, are you really planning to let me play? Isn't it too early?"

Akutsu Jin crossed his arms, his brows furrowed, his silver-gray hair looking particularly unruly in the sunlight.

He remembered clearly that Kagura Ichijin said he was Yamabuki's ace, only appearing at the most crucial and critical moments, but now it didn't seem like that time at all.

"This is just a safety precaution to prevent the car from overturning."

Kagura Ichijin turned his head and looked at Akutsu Jin, a helpless bitter smile appearing on his lips.

"In the last match against St. Rudolf, fortunately, South and East withstood the pressure and won, otherwise we would have been eliminated by now."

The overall level of the Tokyo Metropolitan Tournament is far superior to that of the regional qualifiers.

Even if the starting lineup is selected, victory is not guaranteed. As the interim coach, he must prepare for the worst.

"Ugh, this is so troublesome."

Akutsu Jin pursed his lips, but a fighting spirit ignited in his eyes.

"Okay, if it really comes to a fifth game, I'll end it myself."

He clenched his fist, his tone becoming exceptionally firm.

Since Kagura Ichijin trusts him so much, he will never let Kagura Ichijin down.

"Just in case. If all goes well, you probably won't get a chance to play."

Kagura Ichijin sighed. In order for the prospective regulars to get some training, he had to reveal some of his trump cards.

However, it's all worth it for the long-term development of Yamabuki.

"The first match begins. Please welcome Yamabuki Doubles Team 2 and Ginka Doubles Team 2 to the field."

With the referee's whistle, the match officially began.

"Oda, it's our turn."

Sato took a deep breath, held his racket horizontally over his shoulder, trying to look confident, and strode toward the referee's table.

"Finally, I can show off my skills."

Oda followed closely behind, his hands clenching and unclenching repeatedly, looking both nervous and excited.

Their monotonous training day after day, and all those intra-team matches they played, weren't they all for this day?

"..."

However, when the two players reached the net and saw the two players coming out from Yinhua's side, their expressions froze instantly.

Those two mature faces with sly smiles were none other than the two third-year regulars from Yinhua Middle School.

"broken."

Sitting on the coach's bench, Kagura Ichijin's pupils suddenly contracted, and he felt a sense of foreboding.

It seems we're going to lose this round.

Those two third-year students were originally on the first doubles team at Yinhua Middle School, but now they have inexplicably appeared in the second doubles position.

This is clearly a strategy similar to the "Tian Ji horse racing" tactic used against Yamabuki.

Yinhua Middle School had clearly studied Yamabuki's lineup and knew that their doubles team was Yamabuki's weak point.

Even if Kentaro Minami and Masami Higashikata were to take the field this time, it would be difficult for them to win the match, let alone Sato and Oda, who are the two reserve starters.

And the ensuing battle unfolded exactly as Kagura Ikjin had predicted.

"A decisive game, Sato/Oda serve."

"0-15!"

……

"0-30!"

……

"0-40!"

……

"Game, Sato/Oda, 0-1!"

Yinhua's doubles pair played with excellent teamwork and completely controlled the rhythm of the game.

Sato and Oda, on the other hand, were being driven around like headless flies, and the score quickly widened.

"Game, Sato/Oda, 0-2!"

……

"Game, Sato/Oda, 0-3!"

……

"Game, Sato/Oda, 0-4!"

……

"Game, Sato/Oda, 0-5!"

……

"Game, Sato/Oda, 0-6!"

……

"Match 1 ends, 6-0, Mizuguchi/Kawamoto win!"

"Thank you for your hard work, seniors. You were targeted, so it's normal to lose. Don't worry about it too much."

Seeing Sato and Oda walk back dejectedly, looking like defeated roosters, Kagura Ichijin quickly handed them towels.

These two were really unlucky; Yinhua was clearly well-prepared this time.

Unless Shin Tanigi and Kanto Ishimaru are assigned to the doubles second position, the result will be similar no matter who Yamabuki sends out.

"Ugh!"

Oda sighed heavily and covered his face with a towel.

He had originally hoped to make a name for himself at the Tokyo Metropolitan Tournament, but reality dealt him a heavy blow, leaving him completely disoriented.

"..."

Sato gave a bitter smile and remained silent.

The feeling of being completely shut out by your opponent in an important competition is a hundred times worse than the muscle soreness during training.

"The second match begins. Please bring out Yamabuki Doubles Team 1 and Ginka Doubles Team 1."

"Ishimaru, it's our turn."

Gu Jimin stood up from the lounge chair, took out his racket from his tennis bag, and walked calmly toward the referee's table.

"Another boring game."

Ishimaru Kanto yawned lazily, a hint of disappointment in his eyes.

Since Yinhua has sent out their main player in doubles 2, it's obvious that they're sacrificing their main player in doubles 1 now.

This tactic of sacrificing weaknesses to gain victory is not uncommon in competitive sports.

The more prestigious and renowned a university is, the more thoroughly it is studied.

Yinhua Middle School took advantage of this, trying to find a chance to win within the scope of the rules.

"A single game to decide the winner, Suzuki/Tashiro serve."

"What bad luck, we actually ran into the Yamabuki national-level doubles team."

Suzuki looked at the two powerful figures opposite him and muttered to himself, somewhat annoyed.

Although the coach had analyzed this possibility before the game, the sense of oppression still made him feel suffocated when the nightmare came true.

"This isn't exactly bad luck, is it? We were always the ones taking the blame, otherwise we wouldn't have had a chance to be on the field."

Tashiro, standing next to him, seemed unfazed and shrugged.

For them, just being able to stand on the stage of the Tokyo Metropolitan Tournament was already a victory.

"Tashiro, what do you say... we should just admit defeat?"

Suzuki suddenly turned to look at Tashiro, a strange smile of bittersweet mirth on his face.

"Not good at all. The senior students and coaches are watching. It's easy to admit defeat now, but we'll be in big trouble when we get back."

Tashiro shook his head, his expression serious.

They were at least wearing Yinhua's team uniforms, representing the school's image.

Even if you know it's a game you're destined to lose, you have to grit your teeth and finish it.

"That's true, let's fight then. Anyway, some people have already lost face, so two more won't make a difference."

Suzuki nodded, took a deep breath, then tossed the ball high into the air and swung his racket quickly.

"Bang!"

The match began, and as everyone expected, it was a foregone conclusion.

"0-15!"

……

"0-30!"

……

"0-40!"

……

"Game, Suzuki/Tashiro, 0-1!"

……

"Game, Suzuki/Tashiro, 0-2!"

……

"Game, Suzuki/Tashiro, 0-3!"

……

"Game, Suzuki/Tashiro, 0-4!"

……

"Game, Suzuki/Tashiro, 0-5!"

……

"Game, Suzuki/Tashiro, 0-6!"

……

"The second match is over, 6-0, Taniyoshi/Ishimaru win!"

"Seniors, it seems your reputation has been thoroughly established. No doubles team dares to face you head-on now."

Looking at Tani Yoshiki Shin and Ishimaru Kanto walking back with ease, Kagura Ichijin felt a little emotional.

Having strong teammates is certainly a good thing, but it also means that Yamabuki's other doubles team will face tremendous pressure and will definitely be targeted by other schools as a weak point.

This is a potential problem for Yamabuki. In the past, Yamabuki relied on two rock-solid doubles pairs to score points, but now the situation has changed, and doubles have become an unpredictable factor.

"The more matches you play, the more thoroughly you'll be analyzed, and the more people will pay attention to you. Kagura, you should get ready too. I guess you'll end up like us someday."

Gu Jimin's tone carried a hint of worry.

The current Yamabuki team has weaknesses in doubles, and apart from Kagura, the other players in singles are not stable enough.

If a school successfully avoids them and focuses on their weaknesses, Yamabuki could actually be eliminated.

"If we really encounter such an extreme situation, we can only trust the other starters. If we still lose in the end, it just means we are not destined to be champions."

Kagura Ichijin remained silent for a moment before speaking frankly.

That's the charm of team competitions: individual heroism can save the day, but it can't guarantee a win every time.

"Why are you two worrying so much? It's not like you lost. Shouldn't the ones who lost be the ones reflecting on their actions?"

Ishimaru Kanto suddenly interrupted, waving his hand impatiently.

He then ignored the two people beside him, stuffed his racket into his tennis bag, and walked straight toward a shady spot.

"I'm going to take a nap. Call me for the next round."

"..."

Seeing Ishimaru Kanjin's carefree and easygoing attitude, Kagura Ichijin and Tani Yoshiki Shin exchanged a glance and burst out laughing at the same time.

Perhaps, as Ishimaru said, there's no point in overthinking some things.