Savage Beatdown

Early the next morning, Muneyoshi and the other three, who weren't participating in the matches, brought Kamio and Shinji to meet up with the Kanto Team and head to today's venue.

It was the venue for the Kanto Tournament finals.

Compared with last year's Shikoku Invitational, the American West Coast Exchange Match seemed to be even more popular, thanks to Baker's relentless promotion.

The West Coast Team in particular had drawn countless female fans with their idol doubles pair.

It was a textbook example of marketing tennis stars.

Muneyoshi and Tachibana Kippei both scoffed at it.

As the match time drew closer...

The Ariake Tennis Park stadium was already packed. Not only had fans from Japan turned out, but many female fans from overseas had also come specifically to follow the American West Coast Team's idol doubles pair.

In the VIP section sat a group of impeccably dressed sponsors. Beside them, a bespectacled Japanese man was making a promise to the group:

"Trust me. The American West Coast Team's players are extremely strong. I'm sure they can win, even against Japan's strongest rising tennis stars."

"But, Mr. Komura, I heard that Saeki Muneyoshi won't be participating in this exchange match. Is the West Coast Team making such a big fuss because they know that?"

As a genuine American tennis fan, he knew all about Saeki Muneyoshi, who had made a name for himself around the world and defeated members of their U17 team.

After all, he'd watched Muneyoshi play in person at last year's Shikoku Invitational.

"Heh..."

Komura gave an awkward laugh.

"Muneyoshi is the pride of Japanese tennis. He's among the best in the world. But tennis is a team sport, and Muneyoshi isn't participating this time. I believe the West Coast Team will win this exchange match."

Meanwhile,