Who would still play tennis after being reborn?

Chapter 168 Daily Life in Melbourne
The cheers from the Australian Open doubles matches still seem to echo in my ears.

The Australian Open junior tournament posed little pressure for Gu Cheng. Even Yu Haoyang and Cao Hui successfully advanced to the third round after passing the second round.

Although Zhang Ming had a tough time in the singles competition, his strength rapidly improved amidst the difficulties.

Without pressure, there is no motivation.

Especially after seeing that Gu Cheng and the other two had made it through the second round relatively easily, Zhang Ming's performance in the competition was exceptionally dazzling.

In the second round of the singles match, he successfully defeated his opponent with a total score of 3-0.

Moreover, his opponent was the 24th seed, which was undoubtedly an extremely exciting result for Zhang Ming.

It's important to know that the 24th seed is comprised of top 50 or even top 30 players in the world. Given his previous performance, he would have been lucky to avoid being swept 3-0 by such opponents, let alone win the match 3-0.

This means that Zhang Ming's strength has improved significantly, even dramatically.

And this moment.

Gu Cheng, Zhang Ming, Yu Haoyang, and Cao Hui walked side by side on the streets of Melbourne.

At night, the streetlights shine through the plane trees lining the streets, casting dappled shadows on the ground and adding a touch of languid atmosphere to this art-filled city.

"Let's go, we have to treat ourselves today!" Zhang Ming waved his phone excitedly, the screen showing a highly-rated steakhouse nearby. "I already checked it out, their Wagyu beef is absolutely amazing!"

Yu Haoyang rubbed his stomach and said with a smile, "I've been starving for days. I've been so focused on the competition these past few days that I haven't eaten properly. I'm going to have to eat my fill today!"

Cao Hui joked from the side, "With your belly, you're going to eat that restaurant out of business."

The four chatted and laughed, and soon arrived at the steakhouse.

As soon as you enter, the rich aroma of roasted meat wafts over you, making your mouth water.

The waiter warmly led them to a window seat overlooking Melbourne's famous Yarra River, where boats occasionally passed by, splashing up tiny droplets of water.

"What would you four like to order? Our signature dish is M9 Wagyu beef, which is tender, juicy, and melts in your mouth," the waiter said with a smile as he handed over the menu.

"Then bring four servings of M9 Wagyu beef, plus some side dishes and red wine." Zhang Ming waved his hand, seemingly still immersed in the triumph of the competition.

While waiting for the food to be served, the conversation naturally returned to the competition.

"Gu Cheng, your ball skills were absolutely amazing! Especially that 'disappearance' move, I was completely stunned watching it." Yu Haoyang looked at Gu Cheng with admiration.

Gu Cheng smiled modestly: "Actually, it was just a flash of inspiration. On the field, I was thinking about how to create more trouble for the opponents. Besides, without your cooperation, I couldn't have won the game by myself."

"Yes, Senior Zhang Ming, your one-legged stepping and super half-strike were outstanding! You left your opponent completely helpless," Cao Hui couldn't help but praise.

Zhang Ming scratched his head sheepishly: "Haha, it's all thanks to Gu Cheng for creating so many opportunities for me. And after this period of training, I feel that my skills have indeed improved a lot."

As they were talking, the steaks and side dishes were served one after another.

Sizzling steaks, glistening with color and coated with a golden caramel hue, exude an intoxicating aroma. Red wine, poured into a stemmed glass, is crystal clear and gleams alluringly under the light.

"Come on, let's toast to our victory! And for the upcoming matches, I hope we can all achieve great results!" Gu Cheng raised his glass, his eyes filled with anticipation.

"Cheers!" The four glasses clinked together, making a crisp sound, as if it were the prelude to victory.

After enjoying a delicious steak, the four of them strolled along the Yarra River.

The river breeze caressed my face, bringing a touch of coolness that made me feel very comfortable.

The St. Paul's Cathedral in the distance looked especially solemn and majestic in the setting sun.

"Melbourne is such a beautiful city. If it weren't for the competition, I would love to explore it properly," Cao Hui remarked, gazing at the distant scenery.

“After the competition, we must explore the area thoroughly. I’ve heard that the graffiti street and Victoria Market here are quite unique,” ​​Yu Haoyang suggested.

“Great! Let’s take a day trip to Melbourne and see all the fun places,” Zhang Ming said enthusiastically.

However, the relaxed atmosphere did not last long.

As professional tennis players, they know that after a short break, they will face even tougher training and more intense matches.

The next morning, the four of them arrived at the training ground in Melbourne Park.

The morning sunlight shone on the tennis court, dappling it with golden light.

Many athletes were already warming up on the training field, with the sounds of hitting the ball rising and falling.

"Today we'll focus on practicing doubles coordination, especially the connection between net play and baseline defense," Gu Cheng said as he picked up his racket and began warming up.

Zhang Ming, Yu Haoyang, and Cao Hui quickly got into the zone, engaging in various stretching and hitting exercises.

They split into two groups, Gu Cheng and Zhang Ming in one group and Yu Haoyang and Cao Hui in the other, and began intense competitive training.

Gu Cheng and Zhang Ming's teamwork remained seamless.

Gu Cheng used his outstanding power and precise placement to constantly pressure his opponent from the baseline; Zhang Ming, on the other hand, waited for an opportunity at the net, and once he had a chance, he would quickly strike and end the round with a sharp volley.

Yu Haoyang and Cao Hui were not to be outdone.

Yu Haoyang defused Gu Cheng's numerous attacks with his agile footwork and tenacious defense; Cao Hui, on the other hand, created a lot of trouble for Gu Cheng and Zhang Ming at the net with his keen insight and excellent reaction.

On the training field, sweat dripped continuously from their foreheads, soaking their clothes. But they did not slack off in the slightest, concentrating fully on every shot and striving to do their best.

"Again! This time, let's position ourselves a little further forward and put even more pressure on our opponents," Gu Cheng shouted.

Zhang Ming understood immediately and adjusted his position.

On the next ball, Gu Cheng served a powerful, fast-moving, and tricky serve. After the opponent received the ball, Zhang Ming quickly moved to the net and delivered a beautiful overhead smash, scoring the point directly.

"Good shot!" came the coach's cheers from the sidelines.

It turns out that Zhang Ming's coach had been paying close attention to their training.

Zhang Ming's family is quite wealthy; otherwise, he wouldn't have chosen such an aristocratic sport. He has always had his own team, though it's not as large as those of Federer and others. The same person serves as both the strength and conditioning coach and the tactics coach, and there's no need for a nutritionist or anything like that—not because they didn't want to hire one, but because they felt it was unnecessary.

In Zhang Ming's words, he would only need to hire a nutritionist when he could break into the world's top 50. Otherwise, hiring too many people would be a waste, especially since the team's annual bonuses wouldn't cover expenses.

Moreover, a professional athlete of his caliber doesn't need to hire a nutritionist or anything like that.

Zhang Ming's coach stepped forward and said, "You all performed very well, especially Gu Cheng and Zhang Ming, whose teamwork is becoming more and more seamless. But we can't relax, the opponents ahead will be even stronger, and we need to keep improving."

"Alright, alright, Lao Li, don't you know what Gu Cheng's abilities are?" Zhang Ming rolled his eyes, looking at Coach Lao Li speechlessly: "You can pay more attention to me and the others, but this guy, A-Cheng, has his own path. No matter how much you pay attention or give more advice, it's not as good as his own flash of inspiration."

Although Lao Li was unwilling to admit it, he had to admit that Zhang Ming was right.

He looked at Gu Cheng with a smile.

This fifteen or sixteen-year-old boy may become the dominant force in tennis for the next few decades, leading the sport to its peak.

After training, the four of them went to the gym next to the training field.

Here, they need to undergo strength training and physical recovery.

Gu Cheng was doing shoulder and arm strength training in the equipment area.

He knew that great strength was crucial for tennis players, especially when serving and hitting the ball, as it could give the ball greater speed and power.

Zhang Ming was doing aerobic training on the treadmill to maintain his physical fitness and endurance.

Under the guidance of their coach, Yu Haoyang and Cao Hui are training their core strength to enhance their body stability and coordination.

In the gym, the smell of sweat and the clatter of equipment mingled together, creating a vibrant scene.

Despite the tough training, they persevered because they all shared a common goal—to achieve better results at the Australian Open.

Outside of training, the four would also exchange match experiences and technical insights. They would sit together, watch match videos, and analyze their own and their opponents' strengths and weaknesses.

"You see, in this match, the opponent's serve-and-volley tactic was very successful. In the next match, we need to pay attention to how to break this tactic," Gu Cheng said, pointing to the screen.

Zhang Ming carefully observed the video and said, "I think we can anticipate the opponent's serve and then quickly move to the net to disrupt their rhythm."

Yu Haoyang and Cao Hui also shared their opinions, and the discussion was lively with everyone chiming in. Through this exchange and discussion, they not only deepened their understanding of the game but also improved their tactical awareness and adaptability.

During their time in Melbourne, in addition to training and matches, the four also took time to experience the local culture and lifestyle.

They would go to street cafes to enjoy a cup of rich coffee and experience Melbourne's vibrant coffee culture; they would also visit local art galleries to appreciate various exquisite works of art and cultivate their taste.

On one occasion, they visited Hosier Lane, Melbourne's famous graffiti street.

The walls here are covered with a variety of colorful and unique graffiti works, making it look like a huge open-air art museum.

"Wow, these graffiti are so creative! Each piece seems to tell a story." Yu Haoyang excitedly took out his phone and kept taking pictures.

Cao Hui stood in front of a huge graffiti, admiring it carefully, and said, "Art is everywhere. I never expected to see such a wonderful work on the street."

Gu Cheng and Zhang Ming were also stunned by the scene before them. They admired it and shared their feelings.

In this art-filled place, they temporarily forgot the pressure of training and competition, immersing themselves in the charm of art.

As the Australian Open junior tournament progresses, Gu Cheng is playing more and more matches.

In the singles competition, he continued his excellent form from the doubles competition, defeating his opponent without conceding a goal to advance to the next round. In every match, he demonstrated formidable strength and unique skills, inspiring fear in his opponents and driving the audience wild.

Zhang Ming, Yu Haoyang, and Cao Hui also performed admirably in their respective competitions.

They fought hard on the field, striving for their dreams. Although they sometimes encountered strong opponents and faced setbacks, they never gave up. Instead, they learned from their experiences, adjusted their mindset, and prepared for the next challenge.

During breaks in the competition, the four would support and encourage each other. Whenever someone was competing, the other three would come to the stands to cheer them on.

Their shouts and cheers echoed across the field, becoming each other's strongest source of inspiration.

"Gu Cheng, keep it up!"

"Zhang Ming, you're the best!"

"Yu Haoyang, don't give up!"

"Cao Hui, play to your level!"

These powerful words not only gave their teammates confidence and courage on the field, but also made them feel the warmth and strength of the team.

As the tournament progresses, the competition intensifies. Every match is crucial, and every point could determine the outcome. Gu Cheng knows that to achieve final victory in the Australian Open Junior Championships, he must put in even more effort and overcome even greater difficulties.

After a training session, Gu Cheng sat alone by the tennis court, gazing at the distant sky, lost in thought. He recalled the hardships he had endured, from an unknown tennis prodigy to his current prominence at the Australian Open, a journey marked by countless drops of sweat and tears. But he had never given up on his dream, always holding fast to his love for tennis.

"What are you thinking about?" Zhang Ming's voice interrupted Gu Cheng's thoughts.

Gu Cheng turned his head, looked at Zhang Ming, and said with a smile, "I'm thinking about the upcoming matches. The opponents will definitely get stronger and stronger, so I must be fully prepared."

Zhang Ming sat down next to Gu Cheng and said, "Don't put too much pressure on yourself. We all believe in you. Besides, we are a team, and no matter what difficulties we encounter, we will face them together."

Gu Cheng nodded, a warm feeling welling up inside him. Having such a group of like-minded teammates was his greatest fortune on his tennis journey.

"By the way, have you developed any new ball skills recently?" Zhang Ming asked curiously.

Gu Cheng smiled mysteriously: "It's a secret for now. You'll find out during the competition."

"Haha, I knew you'd have some new tricks up your sleeve. I can't wait to see you amaze everyone on the field again!" Zhang Ming said excitedly.

During their time in Melbourne, Gu Cheng, Zhang Ming, Yu Haoyang, and Cao Hui not only made continuous progress in their tennis skills, but also forged a deep friendship with each other through companionship and support.

They trained together, competed together, laughed together, and faced difficulties together, writing their own story of youth.

Gu Cheng, on this court full of challenges and opportunities, continues to use his strength and talent to write his own tennis legend, bringing more surprises and shocks to the entire tennis world.

(End of this chapter)