The Absolute on the Tennis Court - Chapter 177



Only Krnovel

Episode 177

Cincinnati Open (12) – Flexible

Two months ago, Shin Woo-joo was a rookie who caused a stir and stood on the court as a challenger, but today, he is a confident competitor, going head-to-head with top-level players.

A tennis court under lights that time has forgotten.

Those who took a breath at the start of the serve let out the breath they had been holding again with the referee’s call.

bang!!

.

“Oh oh-!”

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【“Game, space.”】

.

“Waaah-!”

Clap clap clap clap.

.

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▷ SET 2

6 6: New Universe

4 6: Marin Cilic

(Chris Fowler) – ESPN Caster

“What a great match. There were a total of 10 deuces out of 12 in the second set going into a tiebreak. We also shared five wins.”

(Patrick McEnroe) – ESPN Commentary

“Everyone deserves applause. Actually, it should be like that. Matches like these are what make me fall in love with tennis. Two players with great skills are giving it everything they have. “It could go all the way to the third set, and this is a development that could have an impact there.”

.

Marin Cilic paid tribute to the 15-year-old challenger beyond the net.

Surely, it had to be easier than this.

The condition was that good.

In addition to his boastful serve, he had no problem using his unique first strike style of hitting the opponent’s return ball with a powerful attack.

However, shots that normally would have resulted in scores ended up crossing the net again.

Was he a player with such outstanding defensive skills?

Rather, he was an aggressive boy.

【“Thank You.”】

The Croatian fans who had been singing for Marin Cilic in the stands fell silent, and voices cheering for Shin Woosoo rang out intermittently on the quiet court.

Then, soon, the court became quiet.

“after-”

Marin Cilic, who had taken a long time to wipe off his sweat, glanced straight ahead, then lowered his posture and hit the tennis ball on the floor.

Barrel, barrel, barrel, barrel… .

Tie Break.

Marin Cilic starts the serve with a serve.

Taang-!

.

bang.

It was a well-placed serve, but Shin Woo-joo returned with a slice like he always did.

The ball landed well and long.

‘Tch.’

If the return touches the baseline like this, it has no choice but to be treated as a half volley, except in very rare cases.

For Marin Cilic, who was supposed to be aggressive and take the lead in this shot, it was like having his wings broken.

bang!

.

.

bang!

However, like a skilled veteran, Marin Cilic maintained his forehand position and continued the rally.

Rally on Ad court.

Forehand and backhand went back and forth.

bang!

.

.

bang!

In the course of this rally, it was Shinwoo who used a more diverse range of shots.

Taking full advantage of the one-handed backhand, he used an exquisite mix of backhand shots and slices.

bang.

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“OUT!!”

.

“ah… .”

Shin Woo-soo’s slice shot, which he sent in a straight line after changing direction, lands outside the baseline, and with a pitiful sigh erupting from the audience, Marin Cilic scores.

Shin Woo-joo’s mistake made him successful in accumulating points first, but Marin Cilic also felt a considerable amount of mental exhaustion.

Prolonging the rally was definitely disadvantageous to him.

Because there were more things to worry about.

Even with just the backhand, it was very difficult to distinguish between Shin Woo-soo’s regular strokes and the slice movement, which uses a one-handed backhand.

So I had to be very alert all the time, and as the rally became longer, the energy consumed doubled.

To prevent this, the serve had to go well.

The strategy we had prepared has long since lost its meaning.

If the situation allowed, I would hit a long shot flat to induce a low forehand, but it was a little more realistic to just focus on what I do best.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with a coach’s preparation.

This is essentially the sport of tennis.

Establish a strategy and constantly respond to it.

In sports where timeouts exist, coaches can intervene and instruct new strategies, but in tennis, outside voices are blocked from the moment the match begins.

Especially in a match like today where you have to show off all your strengths, the mental power you expend is bound to be greater than your physical strength.

This is also what Marin Cilic is looking forward to.

I believed that there would come an inflection point when the absolute value of experience, which can never be filled except by time, surpasses the talent and momentum of Shinwoo.

However, it wasn’t just vague expectations.

Have clear plans and thoughts.

‘If we win this set… .’

The second set is already over 80 minutes.

It took enough time to play two average sets.

The investment value is bound to be large.

If you lose in a set like this, the shock you get back is several times greater, including what you invested.

Marin Cilic, who was sure to lose if he lost this set anyway, had absolutely nothing to lose by giving everything he had.

Rather, Shinwooju should be worried.

Barrel, barrel, barrel.

Barrel, barrel, barrel.

Taang-!

.

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【“Let For First Serve.”】

Tie-break Shin Woo-ju’s first serve was declared retro, and Marin Cilic, who delivered the ball that bounced off the fence to the ball person with his racket, took a return stance again.

And then again, Shinwoo’s first serve.

Taang-!

.

“and-!”

Clap clap clap.

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【“One All-”]

The boy, who was not shaken in the slightest, easily took the ace with a serve of 121 miles (approximately 194.7 km/h).

Just looking at this, there doesn’t seem to be any shaking.

He didn’t even look tired.

‘What a monster.’

Marin Cilic, who started walking in a dewcot, bowed again and said the words he had repeated countless times.

Taang-!

* * *

“Huh-ah!”

“and… .”

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▷ SET 2

6 6(10): New Universe

4 6(10): Marin Cilic

The people in the audience forgot to even applaud and were too busy sighing.

17 minutes have already passed since the tie break began.

The coat alone has already changed three times.

Officials sitting in the press box and recorder’s table were busy trying to find the record for the longest match and set in Cincinnati Open history.

However, contrary to the surrounding atmosphere, those sitting in the player boxes of both players held their breath and watched the match.

It felt like I was walking on thin ice.

The thread was pulled that much tautly.

What if it breaks?

It was dizzying just to think about it.

Because it will lead directly to defeat.

Taang-!

.

“!!”

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【“Let for First Serve.”】

The moment Marin Cilic’s serve was declared retro, only Jonas Bjork, who flinched, breathed a sigh of relief.

Against Shin Woo Joo, the second serve was dangerous.

In fact, points were taken away twice.

The balance was achieved thanks to the boy’s mistake.

There was a double fault once, and a lineout occurred once while attempting an overly aggressive shot, resulting in the loss of two points.

However, in other words, this also meant that they were barely maintaining balance by relying on Shinwoo’s mistakes.

‘Will the tide change?’

Regardless of the score, the flow of the match itself seemed to be Shin Woo Joo running away and Marin Cilic chasing him.

It was also something no one expected.

However, from the moment the first set was lost, Marin Cilic seemed to be following in Shin-Woo’s footsteps.

I had to score points not to win, but to escape from defeat, and I had to give my all at every moment instead of taking my time and assembling a plan within the game.

Jonas Bjorkman is nicknamed ‘Professor’ by Swedish fans for his clever tennis skills.

He analyzed the match objectively.

The entire premise is a 2-set win.

‘If Marine wins, does he win?’

Jonas Bjorkmann, like Marin Cilic, thought that winning the second set would eventually lead to a match win.

But now I was a little doubtful.

Of course, the second set had to be won.

This part was natural.

But even if they won the second set, they would likely be at the same starting point when the third set began.

This is because of the difference in energy poured into it.

Especially when it came to tie-breaks.

“Ooh!”

Taang-!

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Clap clap clap clap.

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“Good job, Marine!!”

“There is only one left!!”

A 120 mile (approximately 193.1 km) serve that sharply passed the center service line led to a score.

In response, Marin Cilic’s team stood up and cheered loudly, and the process of changing serves was unfolding on a court full of tension.

Once again, it was Shin Woo Joo’s turn to serve.

Barrel, barrel, barrel.

Barrel, barrel, barrel.

‘The serve timing is fast.’

Shin Woo-ju bounced the ball from the baseline at a very quick timing, as if it had been his serve from the beginning.

It was difficult to read the expression.

How can there be so much leisure?

I never felt like I was fifteen.

Taang-!

.

“and-!”

.

(Chris Fowler)

“The number of aces in the universe has reached double digits. “Even though the tie-break was pretty far gone, I felt powerful.”

(Patrick McEnroe)

“This is what I was born with. Now is a time when you are more mentally exhausted than physically. Because the tie-break situation continues. However, it still gets 124 mph.”

.

Taang-!

.

“Hey~!!”

“COME ON!!”

In a situation where one point conceded would lead to defeat, Shin Woo-ju easily scored with two serves of 124 mph (approximately 199.6 km/h).

Now Marin Cilic is once again on the brink of defeat, and Jonas Bjorkmann is beginning to weigh the benefits and losses of mental exhaustion.

This time too, the losses on his player side seemed greater.

Because defeat is right behind us.

On the other hand, the boy had one more coin.

Barrel, barrel, barrel, barrel… .

“Ooh!”

Taang-!

.

bang.

In reality, it seemed like Cilic was the one who lost strength first.

The power of the first serve seemed to have decreased.

Shin Woo-ju, who returned with a leisurely backhand, easily took the next position, and Marin Cilic’s team, including Jonas Bjorkman, repeatedly had their hearts pounding with each and every shot.

bang!

.

.

bang!

A mistake means defeat.

The tension reaches its peak.

However, as the winner of the US Open two years ago, Marin Cilic succeeded in pushing Shin Woo-ju by maintaining a stable stroke while maintaining an aggressive appearance.

bang!

.

“Wow!”

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【“Twelve All-”】

Again the match is tied at 12:12.

Now I can finally take a breath.

However, it is also difficult to see.

What do the players on the court look like?

This is the basis for Jonas Bjorkmann’s profit and loss calculation.

We need to stop this trend as quickly as possible.

In the end, a set win is the answer.

Taang-!

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【“Thirteen, Twelve. Lead by Marin Cilic.”】

With one serve ace that gives great strength, Marin Cilic’s team jumps up again and cheers loudly.

But on the other hand, I wanted this tiebreak, which changed courts for the fourth time a while ago, to be over.

I wanted to catch my breath, even if it was just for two minutes.

I also needed time to cool my head.

More than anything, I missed the human side of Shinwoo.

Isn’t it difficult to behave like one’s age?

However, the fact that he was thinking this also meant that he was already valuing the new universe highly.

“Space Fighting-!!”

The voices of Korean fans cheering for Shin Woo-joo resonate loudly. Not to be outdone, Croatian men gathered on one side of the court cheered for Marin Cilic.

But these people are already very tired.

The cheering did not last as long as before.

It was already well past 10 p.m.

Who knew?

By this time, the center court lights at the Lindner Family Tennis Center will be fully lit.

Barrel, barrel, barrel.

Barrel, barrel, barrel.

Taang-!

.

“Fault!!”

“yes!”

The moment Shin Woo Joo’s first serve was declared a fault, Marin Cilic’s team clenched their fists and held out hope.

And then the second serve.

bang!

.

bang!

A slightly stronger return headed to Shinwooju’s court, and Marin Cilic seemed to be taking the lead, but the boy, who was on the defensive, calmly controlled the flow with a backhand slice.

bang.

“Oh, shit.”

“How could that… .”

Truly, it was amazing tennis.

Just like Roger Federer.

I used to think that it was impossible for anyone but Roger Federer to use the one-handed backhand so strategically and perfectly.

Eventually, when the balance of the rally was exactly 5:5, Marin Cilic’s forehand bounced off the net.

At the same time, everyone flinched.

Shin Woo-joo, who saw the ball slightly rising above the net, was on the baseline and started to run away in a hurry, and when the boy got halfway, the ball had already bounced on the court once.

Toong.

Feeling the illusion that time had slowed down, Jonas Bjorkmann clearly watched the unfolding situation.

and.

“Yaaaaah-!!!”

Marin Cilic’s coach jumped up from his seat, clenched his fists and cheered.

【“Game, set, cilic.”】

.

(Chris Fowler)

“I can’t believe it! The last point came out a bit empty! But this is tennis! Marin Cilic gets lucky and takes the second set in a tiebreak! Oh my god. “It was a set that lasted 99 minutes.”

(Patrick McEnroe)

“As you say, this is tennis. “A fantastic match could end in vain like this.”

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(Song Min-hee) – JTBS Caster

“Ah-I’m so sorry.”

(Lee Hyung-taek) – JTBS Commentary

“If it had been 5cm lower, he would have fallen into Marin Cilic’s camp now. If this happens, I’m worried about the impact Shinwoo will have in the third set. But, I have to shake it off and get up. You can.”

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Marin Cilic was also happy, clenching his fists as if he had won the match.

On the other hand, TNU was in a bit of a gloomy state, and although Shinwoo seemed to have the advantage in all aspects, they ended up losing the set due to an absurd variable called the net.

Looking at TNU, who were trying their best to cheer on the boy, Jonas Bjorkmann felt that the tight thread had broken.

however.

‘huh?’

Shin Woo-ju turned his head to look at where his team was and was smiling brightly.

And that moment.

Tuk.

Something touched Jonas Bjorkmann’s mind.

It was a thread that I believed had broken.

It is still pulled taut.

‘What is this… .’

Feeling the hot emotions cooling down in an instant, Bjorkmann sat down and put his hand to his mouth, lost in thought.

What on earth does that expression from before mean?

He just can’t understand.

* * *

▷ SET 2

6 6(12): New Universe

4 7(14): Marin Cilic

When the ball hit the net and bounced twice on the court, I strangely felt myself waking up.

It was as if I woke up from a good night’s sleep.

And when I looked at the electronic display, the light came on signaling the start of the third set.

I can still play more tennis with Marin Cilic.

I was so happy about that.

I didn’t want this match to end now.

“after-”

Throughout the second set, swords were exchanged several times.

Sometimes I got hurt.

Sometimes I hurt myself.

I was able to receive better and better attacks from swords, which I couldn’t even react to at first, and I thought that if I tried a little more, I would be able to block them perfectly.

So I didn’t want to stop anymore.

Until you get it right.

I hoped tennis would continue forever until then.

And I also enjoyed using my weapons.

I don’t think I’ve ever used slices as much as I did today while playing tennis.

If Marin Cilic’s weapon was to sharply cut down his opponent and knock him down, the weapon I used today was to catch it and force my opponent to break down.

The more I sliced, the more rotation I felt, and when the rally got longer, I became so focused that I could see the tennis ball spinning.

I liked that new experience.

I was so happy.

【“Time, player ready.”】

As I walked back onto the court to loud cheers and applause, I prayed that I would have more experience in the third set.

Tonight is such a wonderful night.

Air above the court.

atmosphere.

Above all, the opponent is Marin Cilic.

Except for the fact that you can’t see the stars in the night sky because of the lighting, I don’t think there has ever been a more wonderful night than today.

It was originally time to sleep, but my mind was clear.

Adrenaline is flowing throughout my body.

【“Third set, first game. Serve of the universe.”】

Barrel, barrel, barrel.

Barrel, barrel, barrel.

Not wanting to waste any time, I immediately bounced the tennis ball onto the court and launched it into the night sky.

It’s definitely a tennis ball brighter than the night sky.

Because of the lighting, it’s funny how it looks black.

I smiled and swung my racket.

Taang-!

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“Wow-!!”

Clap clap clap clap.

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【“Fifteen, Love.”】

yes.

I clenched my fists as I checked the restraints on the electronic display board.

* * *

126 miles (about 202.8 km/h).

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