Singles and Doubles: Fudomine and Seigaku Both Change Their Lineups

Thud!

The air filled with dust and smoke.

The entire court seemed to tremble.

For a moment, the entire court fell silent. The only sound was the referee's final announcement.

"7–5. Fudomine's Tachibana Kippei and Ishida Tetsu win the tiebreak."

"Game. Fudomine wins the second doubles match, 7–6."

"In the National Tournament final between Fudomine Junior High and Seigaku, the overall score is tied at 1–1."

At the referee's final announcement,

Tachibana's eyes blazed. He bent his knees and leaned forward, clenched his left fist, lifted his head, and let out a furious roar toward the sky!

"Raaaah!!"

As Fudomine's captain, he had won the most crucial game for his school. In that moment, Tachibana had cast off his usual reserved, steady manner.

He seemed to be venting all his emotions; even the veins in his neck stood out clearly.

Hearing Tachibana's roar and the referee's final announcement, Fuji raised his hand and looked at the huge hole in his racket.

He felt disappointed, and frustrated.

After shaking hands with Tachibana, Fuji didn't say a word. He went straight back to Seigaku's rest area.

"Tezuka, I'm sorry. I lost..."

Looking at Tezuka as he came over to meet him, Fuji's voice was bitter.

This had been Seigaku's best chance—the opportunity had been right there in front of him, and yet it had slipped through his fingers.

"Fuji, there's no need to apologize. That was the best match I've ever seen you play!"

Meanwhile, cheers erupted from Fudomine's section and the supporters cheering for them.

The match had been exhausting to watch, but it had also been incredibly exciting, giving them a taste of the tension and thrill of a tennis match.

And of the astonishing skill and strength on display.

Tachibana hadn't found a good way to counter many