GoT Chp 21.2: The one who advances and the one who stops #1
Translator: Pineapple
Editor: DearestKafka
Han Woo Jin received the ball as usual and understood John"s will. John Walter, didn"t want to give up this game. Even if he loses, he will stay on the court until the very last moment.
*Pang!* (so many pangs!)
"Thirty fifteen!"
Is he struggling? John returned the ball with a backhand with great difficulty. It was a shot that was right on the line that everyone would think was out. Han Woo Jin thought that the ball was out and he stopped moving. But the referee called it in.
"I need to finish it at this point."
If he continued to play the game he will lose more stamina. John"s physical condition wasn"t at a great state right now so he won"t be recovering any time soon during the breaks. But Han Woo Jin is able to get some rest and recover a little bit of stamina in five to ten minutes. That"s why he should win the first set quickly and make their difference too overwhelming to him.
Han Woo Jin made up his mind to end it quickly no matter what. He got into a position where he could reach his opponent"s serve regardless of the direction the ball went.
*Pang!*
John"s textbook serve came towards him. It was either a flat or a spin serve. His serve was very fast and sharp, but it wasn"t effective against Han Woo Jin as he could easily read his opponent"s style of play.
In Han Woo Jin"s eyes, John"s serve was simple to read and although it was too fast to accurately see, he knew where the ball would bounce and therefore prepare to return it. In terms of boxing it would be described as a "telephone punch".
A counter is when you read an opponent"s move in advance and wait a little bit before returning a counterattack that"s even stronger.
*Pang!*
Han Woo Jin didn"t even look at the ball bounce and swung his racket to the other side of the court. Han Woo Jin"s movement surpa.s.sed John Walter"s speed. If John didn"t expect that this would happen, then he won"t be able to receive the ball.
"30:30!"
The points were now even and John was even more pressured. He knew better than anyone else that Han Woo Jin was trying to end this set as quickly as possible. John"s legs were so weak and trembling that if he took a seat now then he knew that he wouldn"t be able to get back up.
John Walter encountered an impossible situation but he still wanted to win. He really wanted to win this game so he quickly began to strategize and moved his body while thinking.
A pro should know when they are going to lose and know when to give up. But a pro should also know to give all their effort and never give up. This is a contradiction yet it is a fact. John was truly acting like a pro during this game.
Han Woo Jin was very satisfied with John"s att.i.tude.
"He should be acting like this because he"s a pro."
Of course, he didn"t want to criticize other players but he didn"t like when other pros dodged games. That"s probably because it"s how Han Woo Jin has lived up until now.
*Pang!*
Han Woo Jin returned John Walter"s serve cleanly and it ended up as a return ace.
*Pang!*
"Thirty: Forty!"
The score already reached Han Woo Jin"s set point. John was losing the first set with such a huge score difference but he still really admired Han Woo Jin. John was curious as to why a player as skilled as him was ranked so low.
"If he has this much skill, then he will rise in rank quickly. I might even play against him again in the future."
John looked at Han Woo Jin with a bitter expression. He was now 28 this year. As a pro he still had many years ahead of him, but he was at the point where things will only get harder for him from now on.
Han Woo Jin who increased his skills at a fast pace, in contrast to John whose skills will stagnate or decrease. So the possibility of them playing again was low and today might be their final and only match. That"s why he felt bitter.
"John? Are you okay?"
"… No problem."
The referee was worried about him when John stopped moving but John replied in a low voice. Anyway, it will be difficult to get more time for him. John tossed up the ball, which he thought would be the last. And with all his strength, he hit the ball.
*Pang!*
"Will it end like this?"
John had a bitter smile as he expected this result. Before he could even reposition himself for the return, Han Woo Jin was already waiting for the ball and hit it as if he read where the ball would land.
And as with the past serves, he returned it perfectly.
*Pang!*
"I can"t receive those kinds of hits." John thought to himself as the ball bounced multiple times on the court.
That"s how the first set ended.
"Game Woojin Han! Set won by Woojin Han, 6-0!"
It was a perfect score. He didn"t plan to do it like that but that was the end result. Han Woo Jin walked towards the bench as he heard the voice in his head.
[Perfect game! You have gained one stat point due to a perfect set in your first ATP 250 tour.] [You have gained increased experience due to your victory in an ATP 250 tour.] [Drop shot has leveled up by one.] "Yes! I gained a lot."
He nodded his head and checked his status while sitting on the bench and saw one difference compared from before the game and he mumbled to himself.
"…I feel better now."
Something he was troubled about became clear to him.
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