The Absolute on the Tennis Court - Chapter 180



Only Krnovel

Episode 180

Hello, New York

#. August 25, 2016

#-One. USA, New York

#-2. Billie Jean King National Tennis Center

#-3. Arthur Ashe Stadium 1st floor

“great. “Sign here.”

Sze-

“You can sign here again.”

Suk- Suk-

“Here again.”

Sze-

“The last one is here.”

“yes?”

“haha. My nephew is your fan. “Can I ask you a favor?”

“sure. As much as you want. “It’s a novel way to request an autograph.”

“Tsk tsk tsk tsk.”

Now I am applying to participate in the US Open.

All you have to do is submit a photo and sign some documents while waiting for your pass to arrive.

On one side, coaches were sitting with other staff members, coordinating court practice times with serious faces.

Since I arrived a little late, I didn’t think I would have much time.

A good training window is mostly filled a week in advance.

Since the finals start on the 29th, you should have arrived by the 23rd at the latest to be able to choose a training time that suits your taste.

Who will you blame?

You should blame me.

I am paying the price for my efforts.

“great. “The pass will come out soon.”

“thank you.”

“Nothing to say. “I hope it was a fun US Open.”

“Me too.”

“haha.”

The staff member who seemed friendly left the table, and I stood up and walked over to where the coaches were.

“how is it?”

“Most of the time it’s either dawn or night.”

“Let’s do it in the morning.”

“Are you going to be okay?”

“yes. “I think it will be much better than at night.”

“Then, there is nothing we can do.”

Coach Andrei circled the court availability times on the paper, and the female staff member nodded and quickly ran to the player operations desk.

There were many teams here other than us, and when teams overlapped, they were decided on a first-come, first-served basis, so we had to rush like that.

For your information, the team here is not late, but because they are participating in the junior competition where the tour starts late.

“universe!”

“huh?”

I heard a voice calling my name from somewhere.

When I turned my head, there was a face I hadn’t seen in a long time.

I immediately smiled and welcomed my friend who was walking by.

“Felix!”

“You have become a complete star.”

“no.”

“No! “Do you know that you can’t even compare to me anymore?”

Felix Auger-Aliassime, who was often with him at Roland Garros, was seeded 6th in the US Open boys’ singles.

“Even among us, you are already a legend.”

“Even if you don’t want to do that.”

“No. 13 seed at the US Open just half a year after debut. If that’s not a legend, what is? is not it?”

Felix keeps embarrassing me.

I think we need to quickly shut him up.

“Where do you train?”

“We can only do it outdoors.”

“really?”

“huh. Because adults come first. They say you can’t choose Ash or Randall. “It’s unfortunate, but there’s nothing we can do.”

“Felix!!”

Someone called Felix over there, and the friend who said he would DM me later walked away.

And then, another familiar face appeared.

“… .”

“… .”

We made eye contact for a moment, but the other person turned his head first.

“I’m humbled.”

“huh? “Are you watching?”

“huh.”

The opponent Coach Philip was talking about is Stefanos Tsitsipas.

The eyes looking at me were not as sharp as before.

I quietly wrote down the documents, packed my bags, and left the operations center.

In addition, some of the players around me seemed to be people I had encountered on and off during junior competitions.

“D—am! “Everyone is looking at you like you’re some kind of alien.”

“haha. is that so?”

“Look, I want to come closer, but I can’t.”

“That’s kind of sad.”

“It’s the fate of a star. Stars tend to hang out with each other. “If you don’t like it, it’s okay if you approach first.”

“Well, especially… uh? wait a minute.”

“huh? Mulberry-! Where?!”

“wait a minute!”

While looking around with Coach Ace, I saw a girl at the last table.

When we were halfway through our walk, our eyes met.

“hi?”

“… “Did you say hello to me just now?”

“huh. Lice. Iga Superontech. Right?”

“okay. “Do you know me?”

“huh. “We met at Roland Garros.”

“But… why?”

“I just want to be friends.”

“familiarly? with me? why?”

It was a completely unexpected reaction, so I was a little taken aback.

Why do you want to be friends?

That’s right.

“I saw you playing tennis.”

“How was my tennis?”

“It was cool. Especially when you change your grip when playing the forehand… .”

“excuse me.”

“?”

“I’m sorry, but can you stop talking?”

“Oh, yes.”

The person who interrupted the conversation was someone who looked like Lee Ga’s coach.

It was a little awkward, but I think we should end it here.

I turned around and said I’d see you later.

“Who is he?”

“This is Supiontech.”

“It’s an unusual name.”

“I’m a Polish kid. “I saw her at Roland Garros, and watching her practice got me thinking about changing her grip.”

“Is he good?”

“yes.”

Coach Philippe, who came to the side a little while later, said that Iga had recently fallen into a slump due to a change in coach.

It was a mental issue rather than a technical issue, and I was shocked that the coach who had been with me since I was young resigned voluntarily, saying that I needed to receive better education.

But how do you know this?

Coach Philip shrugged his shoulders.

“I know Miomir’s trainer.”

Since they are active on the same junior stage, information about who is good and who is not is being exchanged between male and female players.

As he watched me approach Iga, the person who told Coach Philippi about the situation said that it seemed like he was leaving at a bad time.

Was that why he was a bit cold?

If so, I’m sorry.

“Anyway, it’s fascinating.”

“What?”

“I thought you weren’t interested in girls at all.”

“It’s not like that. and.”

“and?”

“It’s not like I’m attracted to Iga rationally. “I just liked his tennis.”

“H-um. okay?”

“yes.”

In response to my simple answer, Coach Ace, who had been quiet by my side for some reason, tapped my shoulder.

Then.

“I know.”

“yes?”

“You’re going to make a lot of women cry in the future.”

“Me?”

“huh.”

I?

why?

I don’t like it when the two coaches exchange looks and look like they understand something.

“Phew – first of all, the application process is over.”

“Is that a pass?”

“huh. Take one here. “This is a space thing.”

In principle, passes can be issued for up to the player and three additional people, but in practice, several more can be issued.

I plan to take three more, including those for Uncle Dennis, who will arrive in New York the day after tomorrow, and for my parents, who will be flying in on the 28th.

There was no need for Mr. Atticus’s.

Can you roam anywhere as you like?

I remember saying that it was an advantage of belonging to IMG.

“Then, shall we take a look around?”

“oh! Let’s go to the gift shop first!”

“It’s not bad. let’s go. “It’s right in front.”

“That way, right?”

“huh.”

There is now a separate gift shop here that can only be used by players who participated in the US Open.

The name is ‘Nordstom Gifting Shop’, and it sells various US Open-related items and limited-edition products from official sponsors.

I found out about these through the advance guide that arrived via email, and this year’s limited edition product was a bracelet made by a jewelry brand called ‘Tiffany’.

“How many do you need? One, two, three… .”

I was thinking of gifting this to my mom and the coaches’ families.

When I ordered eight bracelets, Coach Andrei was surprised and asked if I needed that many. When I answered that one was for him, he looked at me in surprise.

“Please send me home.”

“wow. This… “Thank you so much.”

“It’s my first time using a card.”

“first?”

“yes. “This is my first time.”

In addition to the card I had been using for a long time, there was another card that Mr. Atticus recommended, saying it was good for saving on taxes.

Since I had no particular need to spend the money, I issued it and did not use it.

If I was going to use it, I first wanted to use it for something good, but it seemed like there was nothing better than giving it as a gift to those around me.

Ten thousand dollars disappeared in an instant, but it wasn’t a waste.

On the contrary, I feel very good.

“And Coach Ace… .”

“I think I might have to kick myself.”

“oh! So, I only colored this one in gold.”

“… .”

“You like gold. “Right?”

“… .”

“Coach?”

Coach Ace froze, holding the box in his hand.

Are you trying to play prank again?

At that time, Coach Philip put his hand on my shoulder.

“I heard you’re really cruel sometimes too?”

“Me? why?”

“Don’t get hurt, Ace. “Even though you don’t have a woman to give that gift to, you got the bracelet yourself instead, right?”

“ah… .”

Now, I understand.

What do we do?

I didn’t mean to.

The moment I carefully stretched out my hand to bring the box back, Coach Ace quickly turned his body to the side and started running somewhere while wiping away his tears while shouting “HELL NO.”

“I am… Should I apologize?”

“you? no. you’re welcome.”

“Right?”

“huh. “Let’s hurry and go see the rest.”

“yes.”

Following Coach Philip’s opinion, I forgot about Coach Ace for a moment and moved on to look around the remaining facilities.

I also experienced free take-out drinks at a player-only cafe, and went into the recovery facility that I would use after the match and looked around at the amazing equipment.

It was impressive that there was a separate sleeping room for players whose matches started late.

“It’s completely different from Wimbledon.”

“Because it’s America. “Running on the cutting edge.”

“yes. “It really is.”

Leaving behind Coach Ace, who had already been completely forgotten, we also stopped by the restaurant on the second floor.

The entrance was blocked so I couldn’t go inside, but I was able to see the spacious buffet facility.

“It was $100 every day, right?”

“huh. “It says so.”

“Wow, that’s good.”

“haha. “Let’s go to the third floor.”

“yes!”

The Arthur Ashe Stadium player-only area was an amusement park that couldn’t be more enjoyable for me.

The third floor, which was one floor up, had much more professional exercise facilities than those on the first floor, and Coach Philip showed great interest in the space dedicated to physical therapy located right next to it.

And there was a hair salon in the middle of the hallway, so you could get a haircut for free whenever you wanted.

It’s almost time to cut my hair.

Should I cut it here too?

“There was an empty space on the first floor earlier, right?”

“yes.”

“They say you can meet stringers there.”

“right-! when?”

“24 hours from the day the finals begin.”

“Wow – I really wanted to try it.”

After this US Open, I am thinking about signing a contract with a professional stringer.

The sponsor company, ‘Wilson’, first sends the racket to the place where the stringers are, and from there, the strings are threaded according to my request, and the finished racket arrives at my location.

It was a sensitive and important part, so it was necessary to meet in person and coordinate it, and it was great to hear that I could experience it in advance here.

There wasn’t really that much, but it seemed like all the stress I had built up was gone all at once.

When we returned to the van (SUV) after almost an hour of sightseeing, Coach Ace was sitting in the driver’s seat.

Are you feeling okay?

“Have you seen everything?”

“yes. “Where have you been?”

“Just here and there.”

Fortunately, that seems to be the case.

We left the BJK Tennis Center right away.

I plan to eat a full dinner today.

Since I didn’t have a cheat day after the Cincinnati Open, I wanted to eat New York’s famous steak.

I was depressed when Coach Ace said he wouldn’t take reservations, but I asked Atticus and the best seats were available in 20 minutes.

I plan to meet with Mr. Atticus there as well.

“meat! meat!”

“meat! meat!”

“Oh, please.”

“why. Let’s do it together. meat! meat!”

I urged Coach Andrei, who was still shy, to join us, and I shouted for meat until the moment we arrived at the restaurant with the other two coaches.

“meat! meat!”

In the distance, the famous ‘Peter Luger’ white sign began to appear.

* * *

#. USA, New York

#-One. Peter Luger Steak House

Mr. Atticus, who stood out among the crowd of people lined up, waved his hand.

The usual expensive-looking dark blue suit was accented with a stylish beige fedora and orange tie.

Every time her outfit changed, I expressed interest or complimented her on how well it suited her. I guess she secretly liked it, but I also felt like her fashion has become more flashy these days.

He is a very cute person.

But next to me, there were people I had never seen before.

“This place is… “He’s my boss.”

“boss?”

“huh. Real boss. of IMG.”

“oh… .”

“haha. “We’re finally meeting each other.”

“nice to meet you.”

The two people who smiled and extended their hands one after another introduced themselves as Ari Emmanuel and Patrick Whitesell.

“I thought I had to see the star.”

“A star… .”

“Oh, people are starting to notice. “Let’s go in quickly.”

In fact, people around them were holding their cell phones out.

It felt like taking a photo or video.

As I entered the restaurant, I saw a bar full of people waiting.

There was a line outside, and even more inside.

It seems like a really famous place.

“Mr. Emmanuel!!”

“oh-! Alfie-”

“You have a distinguished guest, let’s take you inside.”

The two people who seemed to be quite close walked forward first, and Coach Ace joked that if we stayed late, we would get lost, so I also moved quickly.

The round table in the corner near the window seemed to be our seat.

“Alfie, you liked tennis, right?”

“sure. Sure.”

“Then this guy will understand.”

“oh! “Oh, my God.”

“hello.”

“universe. Right? Oh my goodness. “Today will be the most meaningful service of my life.”

After shaking hands with an employee named Alfie who welcomed me very warmly, I took a photo with him at his request.

“this! “I guess I’d have to pick you as the worst employee.”

“haha. Please take a look. “Opportunities like this are rare.”

“Then bring me some delicious meat right away.”

“Let’s do it right away. “I’ll even choose the wine myself.”

“This universe… .”

“For me, carbonated water is fine.”

The order was automatically placed without me having to make a choice, and Ari Emmanuel looked at me and asked how I felt about arriving in New York.

“cool.”

“haha. is it?”

“yes. “I passed by places I had seen in movies and dramas.”

“It’s the best city in the world.”

“Well, I’ll just say it’s one of them.”

“haha! “It’s probably because I haven’t enjoyed New York enough yet.”

“Yeah, I’m not sure I’ll have time for that.”

“You can do it slowly. “It will keep coming.”

“I want to do that too.”

The two people who said they were the top executives of IMG seemed very interested in me and asked me various questions.

Starting with whether I had any parents or siblings, I was also asked questions about why I started playing tennis and why I chose TTA among many academies.

And I answered them all honestly.

While eating bread with special sauce.

The meat I ordered came out shortly after.

“oh! “I was watching it.”

The three waiters who carried the plates to the table skillfully used utensils to distribute the buttered meat.

This is the last red meat before the tour ends.

So, I plan to eat as much as I want.

“hmm-”

“haha. “How does it taste?”

“It’s perfect.”

“I feel so much better.”

“We’ll buy it, so you can eat as much as you want.”

“I’m sorry, what should I do?”

“I’m sorry. “We should be thankful.”

While everyone was concentrating on their meal, Mr. Atticus leaned over to me and said that he could buy the entire restaurant.

“yes?”

“That’s how well the company is doing these days.”

“… “Because of me?”

“That’s roughly the case.”

“and. “Then I will eat it without hesitation.”

“However much.”

Despite its rough appearance, Peter Luger’s steak was so soft that it felt fluffy.

When I felt a little grumpy, I ate tomatoes and onions as kimchi and went back to the beginning.

Everyone seemed to be a little full after finishing each plate, but I still didn’t have enough meat so I needed more meat, so Mr. Atticus added two more plates of the same signature dish.

While others were enjoying beer and wine, answering questions or listening to adults’ conversations, I just delved into the meat.

The meal continued for quite some time.

“Huh, it was a good meal.”

“It’s surprising how much he ate.”

“You need to eat a lot during this time.”

“It’s the competition period?”

“Oh, I don’t eat red meat.”

“You are giving up some of the fun in life. “I respect you.”

“It is me. “It was great meat.”

“haha. “That’s an interesting expression.”

Now it’s time to count, I’ve really earned my meal.

“I wish I could do more for you.”

“If I do that, my stomach will explode.”

“That’s not possible. haha.”

After taking the two executives of IMG by taxi first, we were about to go back to the hotel when Mr. Atticus told us that he would drive and that we should go in the SUV.

Now that I think about it, you didn’t drink alcohol.

Coach Ace handed over the keys.

“Actually, you two were going to go together too.”

“huh? To the hotel?”

“no. Not there. “I suddenly had a meeting scheduled so I went to work, and I’m sure he was regretting not being able to be with you.”

“What does that mean?”

“Get on it first. “You’ll find out soon.”

widely.

Mr. Atticus, who was sitting in the driver’s seat, skillfully drove the car without even looking at the navigation system and took us somewhere.

It is a place that is very familiar to me.

“It’s almost time… .”

“Yes?” “Wait a minute. 3. 2. 1. Now.”

Just right.

Atticus snapped his fingers and pointed to one side, and the moment I looked there, I couldn’t believe my eyes.

Where we are currently is Times Square.

But now.

“Holly… .”

My image was appearing all over the Times Tower electronic display board, which symbolizes this place.

Not only that, but elsewhere too.

“… wow.”

On the electronic display board along the Times Tower and the buildings on its left and right, the VOGUE cuts taken last time and the GIA advertisement filmed in Cincinnati began to play.

“Do you know how hard I worked to put this together?”

“and… “This is real.”

“Wonderful. is not it?”

“yes. “Really.”

Hello, New York.

The person on the screen is saying hello to this city on behalf of the real me.