The Absolute on the Tennis Court - Chapter 181
Only Krnovel
Episode 181
Changed phase (1)
#. August 26, 2016
#-One. USA, New York
#-2. Billie Jean King National Tennis Center
#-3. Practice Court 4
The court at the US Open, which I played for the first time today, matched the stereotype of New Yorkers.
Friendly, but not nice?
The bounding was honest, but very fast.
Among hard courts, it feels closest to a grass court.
If this happens, it will be difficult for the rally to continue for a long time.
bang!
.
.
widely.
this.
“Was it too fast?”
“no. “It was just right.”
“Give me more topspin?”
“Just do it.”
Coach Ace nodded and sent me a stroke, and I swung my racket and tried to get used to the court.
bang!
.
.
bang!
This is now one of five practice courts right next to Arthur Ashe Stadium.
In addition to this, you can also practice on 12 courts in a nearby park and 5 courts built in a park called ‘Randall’s Island’, but the difference in court texture was too big.
Above all, it was nice not having to travel separately after training to use the athlete-only facilities.
This is the reason why this place was chosen as the training location, even though there was only morning time left, which was less popular.
bang!
After training, I approached the fans in the stands.
I signed the paper or object given to me.
A female fan said:
“I’ve been waiting since yesterday morning.”
“yes? Really?”
“I pitched my tent and waited.”
“It’s just training… .”
He bowed his head and said he would do well.
“Thank you~ Thank you~”
“i love you!!”
“me too.”
“Kya-ak!”
“Space Fighting!!”
“I will do my best-”
Maybe it’s because it’s New York, but there were a lot of Koreans.
Leave the practice court and enter the building.
For now, I plan to go to the second floor.
The smell of food wafted from the elevator.
The US Open expressed confidence in the restaurant.
“There is also a scale”
“Oh, I see.”
“I’m looking for fish… .”
“The fish is over there.”
“Was it a sea bass?”
Although cod and sea bass are the most common, it is true that you can get bitten a little because you eat so much.
Still, I ate whatever I had.
however.
“oh-!”
Thankfully, the US Open had other fish to offer.
But just looking at the name, I’m not sure what it is.
So I picked up the phone right away.
These days, there are apps that automatically translate things into Korean just by pointing a camera at them.
“This is a trout, this is…” Red sea bream? what is this.”
I’ve had trout before, but this is my first time eating red sea bream.
First, I put a piece of both on a plate.
“I guess you like fish?”
“huh?”
“Me too. “You are the universe, right?”
“YES?”
“haha. I knew it right away. nice to meet you. “I’m Sissy.”
“CC?”
“Catherine Carton Bellis. “They both start with the letter C, and I’ve called them Sissy since I was little.”
“ah. I understand. nice to meet you.”
“Well then, see you later.”
After a brief exchange of words, Cici Bellis took her plate and left somewhere, and I also took my plate and moved to get some pasta.
There were various types of pasta as well.
Oil, cream, tomatoes.
and.
“I can’t resist basil pesto.”
After throwing my favorite food on a plate, I sprinkled a little bit of cheese powder on top.
Protein, carbohydrates.
I need to take care of vegetables separately.
But then.
“hey.”
For some reason, I heard a tone that reminded me of Coach Ace.
When I turned my head, there was a man.
Have you ever met?
I couldn’t remember very well.
But first I said hello.
Because I was greeted.
“hey.”
“what? “Basil pesto?”
“huh. Do you like it too?”
“I like anything pasta. “I was looking for some meat.”
“If that’s the case, it’s over there.”
“Ah, thank you. By the way, I’m Francis. Francis Tiafoe.”
“oh. I am… .”
“Nah—no need to introduce you. “You are a star.”
When I suddenly grabbed the outstretched hand, Tiafoe lightly bumped my shoulder.
Then he said he would see me later and walked away.
After that, I met many people.
In the end, I forgot all the names except the first two.
The most important thing is that the food got cold.
In the end, I had to put it in the microwave.
Ding-
“Are you planning to run for election?”
“Don’t joke.”
“Tsk tsk. “Let’s eat quickly.”
“ah! vegetable!”
“… eat this.”
“But… .”
“are you okay. “You can bring mine back.”
“Thank you-”
Coach Philip gave me the salad he was planning to eat, and Coach Andrey also gave me a generous serving of soup.
The taste of the food was good overall.
It seemed like they were considerate of us.
Basically, low-salt food with additional seasonings was placed on each table, and halal food and vegan food were also available for those with religious reasons.
The size of the restaurant itself is huge and there are plenty of tables and seats, so you can stay here even after the meal is over.
It is actually that kind of space.
“Really?”
“huh. “You can think of this as the base camp.”
“and-”
Speaking of which, I asked Coach Ace about his US Open experience with Pete Sampras.
Coach Ace, who initially worked part-time, has been with us full-time for the last three years, reaching the finals of all three U.S. Opens and remaining the last one.
How different are the facilities now from then?
Was the restaurant still the focus back then?
“The facilities are 100 times better now.”
“oh–”
“But even then, I spent most of my time in restaurants. There were no smartphones or anything like that back then. We spent our time joking around and telling jokes. The players were much closer to each other than they are now. What do you mean? “Romance usually blooms at the US Open.”
Excluding the romance and such, Coach Ace’s words were fully relatable.
I felt the atmosphere was a little different since yesterday.
So, it’s different from other tennis tournaments.
To be more precise, I think it should be called a Grand Slam.
Usually, Grand Slams have a strong feeling of putting authority first, and Wimbledon in particular was at the peak.
I think it was a wonderful experience.
Authority is not necessarily a bad thing.
Especially if it is a type of authority like the Grand Slam that is steeped in history, tradition, and the blood and sweat of many great tennis players, there are things that can be learned just by following it.
The phrase comes to mind that says that newness is necessary to avoid being left behind, and oldness is necessary to avoid repeating mistakes.
I agree that denying the past is like repeating the many trials and errors that led to the present.
anyway.
Unlike other Grand Slams, everything at the US Open was open and felt more free-spirited than authoritative.
Something fresh and new.
The actual atmosphere is incomparably bright.
Even though it was early in the morning.
Burr-
“huh?”
As I was almost finishing my meal and chatting with the coaches, Coach Andrei looked at his cell phone and said this.
“I have a request to join you in training tomorrow.”
“yes?”
“3 p.m. Practice court 1. I heard that we can spend about 40 minutes together in simple sparring form?”
“Who?”
“Rafa.”
“oh!”
Training with Rafael Nadal?
I didn’t want to miss that opportunity.
“do. “I can continue spending time here tomorrow.”
“okay. “There is a sleeping room and you can recover.”
“yes! So, are you doing it?”
“ace. “What is your opinion?”
“Oki Dokiji. “I think it’ll be fun.”
“Philip? you?”
“I like it too. Because the universe loves it.”
“good. “Then I will answer Atkus.”
Suddenly, I thought, why not just tell me directly?
But Coach Ace said that wasn’t the case.
Training among players is a very complex issue.
Moreover, if you make a direct request and get rejected, the relationship could have soured, so he said it would be gentlemanly to inquire with the agent and make the request.
After listening to it, it seems like that.
“By the way, was the draw this afternoon?”
“yes. “They said they would announce it at 2 o’clock.”
“… “There are 4 hours left.”
First of all, our plan is to stay here until 3 o’clock.
After eating, I plan to use the recovery room.
Coach Philippe suggested this.
He said that if he uses the equipment in the recovery room to relieve accumulated fatigue in advance, he will be able to manage it more efficiently when the tour begins.
“Then, we will move separately.”
“See you later.”
After parting ways with Coach Andrei and Coach Ace, I entered the recovery room with Coach Philip.
“Whoa – this is an air compressor.”
.
.
“It’s Croyo! This is really expensive… .”
Coach Philip has never looked more excited than he is now.
“Oh, shit. “I really envy these things.”
“Is everything good?”
“It’s not the best, but it’s great.”
Coach Philippe spoke passionately, saying that other Grand Slams should also learn from this aspect of the US Open.
By the way, when do I get a break?
“ah. okay. “Let’s start with a massage.”
“yes.”
Feeling a level of comfort that was completely different from the portable massage bed I set up, I entrusted myself to Coach Philip.
After eating, I fell into a deep sleep.
What was your schedule this afternoon?
Oh, right.
Before I could think about what to do next, I fell asleep.
* * *
※ 2016 US Open Shinwooju’s draw
-> During the preliminaries, preliminary participants are excluded.
-> For players and coaching staff
● SECTION 7
(1) Seed participant
[7th place] Nishikori Kei (6)
[15th] Shinwoo (3)
[24th] Ivo Karlovic (22)
[28th] Philipp Kohlschreiber (26)
(2) Wild card participant
doesn’t exist
(3) Other types of participants
doesn’t exist
(4) Those who passed the preliminary round
4 people will be added
● SECTION 8
-> Shinwoo’s matchup in the quarterfinals
(1) Seed participant
[2nd place] Andy Murray (2)
[19th] Feliciano Lopez (17)
[25th] Grigor Dimitrov (23)
[33rd] Gilles Simon (31)
(2) Wild Card Contestant
[386th] Michael Mo
(3) Other types of participants
doesn’t exist
(4) Those who passed the preliminary round
1 person to be added
* * *
#. 5:20 PM
#-One. USA, New York
#-2. Nike New York Office
Even for large sponsor groups known as tennis players, the Grand Slam has been seen as a golden opportunity to promote them.
Nike, unable to miss this, prepared to expand its influence and solidify its reputation through New Universe, which is currently attracting the most attention in the tennis world.
This is thanks to Amber Barker, who was leaving with a large contract for Shinwooju last month, planning a big project.
She did not want to be embarrassed by the choice she made due to her pride, and was allocated a special budget to promote Shinwoo’s marketability to her superiors.
Fortunately, thanks to Shin Woo-joo’s great performance since then, ironically, Amber Barker’s position has become even stronger.
It only took a month for the contract, which was supposed to be worth a whopping $30 million, to be changed to ‘only $30 million.’
As such, Amber Barker also poured a lot of energy into improving the perfection of this project.
This is why TNU met Atticus Kirkland outside the BJK Tennis Center and headed straight to Nike’s New York branch.
“Wow – that’s cool.”
“haha. I like it?”
“yes! “I couldn’t even imagine it.”
“Our design team put a lot of effort into it.”
“I think so.”
Looking at Shin Woo-joo, who couldn’t take his eyes off the mirror, two employees from headquarters bumped their fists.
These are Amber Barker’s direct subordinates.
The purpose is to monitor a man.
This is Archie Kirkland.
Amber Barker, who could not go as far as replacing her agent due to Shinwoo’s strong request, wanted to keep her ex-husband’s henchmen in check, with whom she was sharing the credit.
Of course, these internal circumstances have nothing to do with the boy.
Archie Kirkland is also purely delighted.
“It suits you really well.”
“is it so? So pretty.”
“People will judge it that way too.”
“I hope so.”
Shinwoo’s US Open outfit, created by Nike through persistent persuasion from a famous designer in the fashion world, was made with the Taegeuk pattern, Korean paper, and Hanbok as motifs.
The soft colors followed Hanji, and a hanbok-like fabric was used along the cutting lines.
The bottoms were made in red and blue, symbolizing the yin and yang of the Taegeuk pattern, and they did not look out of place at all, but rather felt sophisticated.
The shoes are based on the previously worn Zoom Vapor 9.5 white base, with red and blue colors on the front and back of the sole, and black shoe laces.
“Oh my gosh, Amber.”
“I guess I’m feeling quite upset.”
“I’ll talk on the phone for a moment.”
“okay.”
One of Amber Barker’s direct reports steps outside to make a phone call.
Meanwhile, Shin Woo-joo went up to the rooftop of Nike’s New York branch building, located between high-rise buildings, and started taking pictures.
Perhaps because I’ve been standing in front of the camera more often lately, I’ve become quite adept at posing.
While Shin Woo-joo was enjoying Nike’s special gift, another employee at the New York branch revealed items he had prepared separately for TNU staff.
“AJ is this me?”
“I think so. “I’m AS.”
“I am PL.”
“I don’t know what kind of shaman created this, but I really like it. Do you know what I’m saying? Do you know what I’m saying??”
“Tsk tsk tsk tsk. Calm down, Ace.”
“How can I calm this down? I feel like I need to put this on right now and take a quick walk around the neighborhood corner bar. shit. “Will I be able to receive something like this in the future?”
All three people’s eyes turn to the Nike employee, and the woman, who had not received the message that far, is embarrassed and stutters.
“Hell-No. “You’re not planning on saying it’s disposable, are you?”
“Uh, um. that is… .”
“Please say something. “Are you saying that Woo-joo is always going to have to wear a ssamppong thing, and that we’re going to keep washing it and wearing it again and again?”
“Check right away… .”
“Check it out right away! “Refreshingly!”
“Hey!”
Ace Joyce giggled in satisfaction as she watched the startled woman, not knowing what to do, rush out of the office.
Although Andrei felt that this was something he could ask for as a client, he was worried that it might be too much.
However, Ace was the one who became friendly with people first and started chatting.
In fact, Ace was still by the side of the employee he had kicked out, and the two people burst into laughter at what was so funny and acted like they had known each other for a long time.
“He’s an amazing man.”
“Who says not?”
“huh? “Are you done filming?”
“Almost. “It was about Ace right away, right?”
“yes. “He is a man with a strange charm.”
“The reason for the divorce was a bit interesting… .”
“huh? “Don’t you know?”
“Isn’t there a problem because of the tour?”
“Hmm, I guess it would be best for me to keep quiet at this point. “Hear it directly from Ace.”
Andrei wanted to ask Atticus more about the story, but with the arrival of the new universe, he was unable to do so.
The boy was happy to see the coaches’ clothes.
“We are a team!”
Shin Woo-joo showing off his chest.
There were also faintly embroidered letters there.
W.J.
When Shin Woo-soo said that it would be nice to make something like a team uniform someday and wear it, Archie Kirkland, who was nearby, immediately responded that he would look into it.
“That easy?”
“That’s what big organizations are all about.”
“?”
“It may seem rigid, but once you start to become flexible, you get things done at an unbelievable speed. “Something good and some bad.”
“Hmm, that’s a difficult word.”
“haha. “There’s no need to know.”
When asked to have dinner together after finishing his work at Nike, Archie Kirkland responded that he had to go right back.
This is also due to Amber Barker’s control.
“Then, I’ll contact you again.”
“yes. “Take care.”
The two groups are torn apart, and the one left behind decides to visit the nearby Empire State Building as originally planned.
“Are you going to go together?”
“I’ve seen it so many times. Well, okay.”
“Good for you!”
I believe that Atticus Kirkland has a mysterious knack for consistently making viewers feel good, and he stayed with TNU.
As they walked along 6th Avenue and Broadway, laughing and taking pictures together, they attracted attention with their lively energy even on the street.
Soon, there were people around me who recognized the new universe.
But it wasn’t easy to come by.
Instead, you can watch from afar and be amazed, or quickly take a picture with your cell phone and post it on your social media.
Meanwhile.
“huh? “It smells like stew.”
“what?”
“Korean soup. “I’ve had it before.”
“Is this that smell?”
“yes.”
As they almost arrived at the Empire State Building, Atticus told Shin Woo-joo, who was showing off his charm, one thing.
“Right behind it is Koreatown.”
“Really?”
“huh. I did not know?”
“Oh—how about Korean food for dinner?”
“If you want.”
“Good, decision!”
With just three days left before the US Open finals, Shin Woo Joo and TNU are enjoying the city of New York to the fullest.
Finally, he became a full-fledged ATP pro.
This is the part where you can see the boy’s growth.
“kimchi-!”
click.
Standing at the top of New York’s iconic skyscraper, the boy, TNU, and Atticus Kirkland are all smiling brightly.
* * *
※ 2016 US Open Shinwooju’s early draw
-> 2016.08.27. (morning announcement)
[122nd] Jared Donaldson (Q)
vs
[15th] Shinwoo (13)
[35th] Viktor Troitsky
vs
[98th] Radu Albot
.
.
[New universe ‘Honey Joe’ program? … In the first match of the US Open, he clashed with qualifier Jared Donaldson. The assessment is that it’s not bad no matter who comes up in episode 2. Will it surpass the Wimbledon quarterfinals legend? -OSEM]
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