After the semifinals, the U-17 organizers gave the two finalists a few days to rest. They needed time to recover from the grueling matches, and the courts needed repairs as well.
Of course, the more important reason was commercial.
After all, the U-17 World Cup was held once every two years, and the final was always the biggest attraction.
Even the semifinals couldn't compare. Many tennis fans from around the world would travel to watch the final in person.
What's more, after the semifinal results came in, news that the reigning champions Germany had been knocked out by Japan sent shock waves through the tennis world.
Now, countless people had their eyes on Melbourne. They wanted to witness the rise of a new world No. 1 with their own eyes—the first in twenty years.
Leaving aside the fans' anticipation for the final, Japan had also begun to take things more calmly.
Beating Germany was certainly cause for celebration, but neither the high schoolers nor the middle schoolers had let up.
After all, they had watched Spain's match the day before with their own eyes.
Spain's formidable strength and everything the team had shown were no weaker than Germany's—in fact, they might have been even greater.
With another opponent just as strong waiting in the final, it wasn't time to relax before they had beaten them.
After a short break, the entire Japan team resumed training for the final.
Just then, Mifune Nyudo brought a few people to the training grounds and bellowed, "You little punks, get over here!"
At his shout, everyone hurried to gather. The two coaches, Kurobe and Saitō, were standing behind him.
Before they could figure out why Mifune had called them over, he continued to shout:
"To make sure the final lineup is decided fairly,