At Kyoto,Japan 6:48 A.M
It started with Matsumoto Makuto, a simple tennis player living in Kyoto. He competed in local tennis tournaments and taught kids, with a dream to become a professional tennis player. One day, while scrolling through his phone on his bed, he stumbled upon news about a prestigious tennis tournament and decided to join. He trained tirelessly for many days until he qualified his id and registration for the tournament.
Matsumoto waited anxiously at the bus station, his eyes fixed on the road as he watched for the bus to arrive. Finally, the bus pulled up, and he boarded, finding an empty seat to himself. As he settled in, he closed his eyes and prayed silently to God, asking for guidance and strength to perform well in the tournament.
"Please, God, help me win," he whispered, his heart filled with faith.
Matsumoto was convinced that God would be with him, and he felt a sense of calm wash over him as the bus began to move, carrying him closer to his destination and the tournament that awaited him. The bus rumbled down the road, and Matsumoto's thoughts turned to the matches ahead, visualizing his serves and volleys, and mentally preparing himself for the challenges he would face. With each passing moment, his determination grew, and he knew that he was ready to give it his all.
As he arrived at the venue, the air was thick with tension and anticipation. Players were hungry for victory, their eyes blazing with determination. Matsumoto watched in awe as his teammates showcased their skills, some winning with ease, while others left the court defeated. The moment arrived, and Matsumoto stepped onto the court, locking eyes with his opponent. The referee blew the whistle, and the match began.
With a swift motion, Matsumoto tossed the shuttlecock into the air and struck it with his racket. The shuttlecock soared through the air, a blur of speed and precision, until it landed on his opponent's side. The opponent swung his racket, but Matsumoto was ready. He unleashed a powerful smash, and the shuttlecock blazed across the court, leaving a trail of motion behind it. The opponent stumbled, unable to return the shot, and Matsumoto scored! The crowd erupted as he took the lead, 1-0.
Matsumoto dominated the rallies, his racket moving with precision and power. The score read 2-0, 3-0, and his confidence soared. He was in the zone, his movements fluid and effortless. The match reached its climax, with Matsumoto emerging victorious, 11-8. Elation washed over him as he raised his racket in triumph, basking in the cheers of the crowd. It was a moment he'd never forget, a testament to his skill and determination.
But as the finals approached, the atmosphere was electric with cheers for Matsumoto. However, his opponent, Hirakashi, seemed eerily calm and relaxed, making Matsumoto appear like an easy and weak adversary. But Matsumoto was determined to prove him wrong. He was not about to give up without a fight; he would pour his heart and soul into winning this match.
The referee blew the whistle, and the match began. Matsumoto tossed the shuttlecock into the air and slammed it with his racket, sending it hurtling towards Hirakashi's side of the court. Hirakashi was on high alert, and he countered with a powerful shot of his own. The rally continued, with both players showcasing their incredible skills and determination. The shuttlecock flew back and forth, neither player willing to yield.
Eventually, Hirakashi managed to score, leaving Matsumoto momentarily shaken. But he refused to let doubt creep in. He took a deep breath, focused, and launched a stunning comeback, equalizing the score at 1-1. The game see-sawed back and forth, with both players trading points. The tension was palpable as the score reached 10-10, with the match hanging precariously in the balance.
Matsumoto refused to back down, summoning every ounce of strength for a breathtaking smash that caught Hirakashi off guard. The shot landed, and Matsumoto took the lead 11-10. The crowd erupted as Matsumoto secured the win, 11-10. Hirakashi was visibly upset but impressed by Matsumoto's skill, offering a nod of respect. Matsumoto, on the other hand, was overjoyed, tears of happiness streaming down his face as he celebrated with his team, then Matsumoto didn't forget to thank god.
As he accepted the championship title golden cup and medal, Then Hirakashi approached him, extending a hand.
"You're Matsumoto, right? I'm Hirakashi from Tokyo. You played a great game. Keep pushing yourself – we'll meet again." Matsumoto was stunned, realizing he'd just defeated a champion.
"You were... a champion?" he stammered. Hirakashi smiled wily. "Yes, and I was beaten by you. You're a force to be reckoned with. Good luck in your future tournaments and we'll see on next generations." Hirakashi said with a bit of anger.
Matsumoto left the arena on cloud nine, the weight of his achievement sinking in. He used his prize money – 100,000¥ – to treat himself and build a small restaurant and named it "Matsumoto Noodle Restaurant" and he built it near his home, securing a stable future. As he basked in the glory of his victory, coaches began clamoring for his attention, eager to include him in prestigious tournaments. Matsumoto's star was rising, and his skills continued to soar. He was the new champion of Tokyo, and the world was taking notice.
The days turned into weeks, and Matsumoto's restaurant became a hotspot for tennis enthusiasts and foodies alike. He served the best ramen in town, and people came from all over to taste his signature dish. Matsumoto would often be found in the kitchen, whipping up a storm, his racket never far from his side. He'd regale his customers with stories of his matches, and they'd listen in awe.
As the months went by, Matsumoto's legend grew. He became a household name, and his restaurant a landmark. He started receiving endorsement deals and sponsorship offers, but he remained humble, always crediting his team and his coaches for his success. Matsumoto's rise to fame was meteoric, and he was loving every minute of it.
He continued to compete, and his winning streak remained unbroken. Matsumoto was on fire, and nobody seemed able to stop him. He was the king of the court, and his name was on everyone's lips. The world was his oyster, and he was ready to take on whatever challenges came his way.
Matsumoto's next target was the national championships, and he was determined to bring home the title. He trained harder than ever, pushing himself to new heights. His coaches were ecstatic with his progress, and his fans were eagerly awaiting his next move.
Here is the revised story:
The day of the national championships arrived, and Matsumoto was ready. He stepped onto the court, his racket at the ready, and his eyes fixed on the prize. The crowd was on the edge of their seats as the match began, and Matsumoto was in his element.
The umpire called out, "Game, first set, love-all!" and Matsumoto served. The shuttlecock rocketed across the court, and his opponent, Kaito Inugawa from Osaka, lunged for it, but it was too fast. Ace! Matsumoto took the lead, 1-0.
Kaito regrouped and served back, but Matsumoto was ready. He unleashed a powerful forehand, and Kaito stumbled back, unable to return it. 2-0, Matsumoto.
The rally continued, with both players showcasing their skills. Kaito fought back, winning a point with a clever drop shot. 2-1, Matsumoto.
But Matsumoto wasn't having it. He dominated the next few points, taking the set 6-2.
The crowd erupted as Matsumoto took the first set, and he felt a surge of confidence. The second set began, and Kaito came out swinging. He took an early lead, 3-1, but Matsumoto refused to back down.
A thrilling back-and-forth rally ensued, with both players trading points. Matsumoto won a crucial point with a stunning overhead smash, and the crowd went wild. 4-3, Matsumoto.
Kaito fought back, leveling the score at 4-4, but Matsumoto was unstoppable. He won the next two games, taking the set 6-4.
The crowd was on its feet as the players headed into the final set. Kaito was visibly exhausted, but he refused to give up. Matsumoto sensed victory, but he knew he couldn't let his guard down.
The final set began, and Kaito surprised everyone with a bold serve-and-volley tactic. It worked, and he took an early lead, 2-1. Matsumoto regrouped and countered with a powerful backhand winner. 2-2.
The tension was palpable as the players battled it out, point by point. Matsumoto won a crucial point with a clever lob, and Kaito stumbled, unable to return it. 5-4, Matsumoto.
The crowd was on the edge of their seats as Kaito served for the match. He tossed the shuttlecock high into the air and swung his racket with all his might. Matsumoto lunged forward, his racket flashing in the sunlight. The shuttlecock sailed down the line, and... out! The crowd gasped, and Matsumoto pumped his fist. Match point!
Matsumoto served, and Kaito leapt into the air, but it was too late. The shuttlecock landed in the corner of the court, and Matsumoto collapsed to the ground, his racket raised in triumph. The crowd erupted, and his teammates rushed onto the court, congratulating him on his stunning victory.
The final score was 6-2, 6-4, 7-5. Matsumoto had done it. He was the national champion!
The crowd erupted as Matsumoto won the championship, and he was mobbed by his fans.
Matsumoto had made it to the top, and he was loving every minute of it. He was the champion of Japan, and he was ready to take on the world. The future was bright, and Matsumoto was ready to shine.
As he stood on the podium, holding his trophy aloft, Matsumoto knew that this was just the beginning. He had a bright future ahead of him, and he was ready to take on whatever challenges came his way. The crowd cheered, and Matsumoto smiled, knowing that he had made it to the top, and he was here to stay.
Then Matsumoto planned to train for upgrade of his skills and level up. And his decision was yes. He leaved his house then he travelled to Yoshida to train in Yoshida Memorial Tennis Training Center.
(To be continued)