The Prince of Tennis Episode 24 Recap
> The Prince of Tennis Recap
""Recap 1"" Reporter Xiao Sha interviews a player from Hai Guang Middle School, who confidently states their chances for the national competition, pointing out Yuan Chi, a skilled senior brought back to their team. Meanwhile, the draw ceremony begins. Yu Feng is drawn into Group A, position 3, and Yu Qing into Group B, position 3. This means Yu Qing will likely face Xing Yao Middle School.
While others see a significant strength gap, Yu Qing is confident and determined to avenge last year's loss. Yan Zhiming's precise analysis confirms the inevitable match against Xing Yao. To achieve their goal, Yu Qing begins rigorous training. Tang Jiale and Chi Dayong, especially affected by last year's defeat, train exceptionally hard, vowing to win. Yan Zhiming devises a new training regimen for them, personally overseeing their practice.
However, Chi Dayong struggles with declining stamina but hides it to avoid burdening his teammates. At home, Lu Xiangqian prepares a meal for Lu Xia. Coach Qi had called him, praising Lu Xia's potential but warning against excessive imitation, which could stifle his development. Lu Xiangqian, aware Lu Xia tries to emulate him to surpass him, advises Lu Xia that his own unique style is best and some things must be discovered independently.
The next day, after a training session, Chi Dayong asks Yan Zhiming about his progress. Yan Zhiming commends Tang Jiale but notes Chi Dayong's increased error rate. Chi Dayong awkwardly attributes it to Tang Jiale's rapid improvement. Elsewhere, Lu Xia mysteriously disappears after receiving a challenge at Lingxi Tennis Court. He goes alone to uphold the team's honor. Upon arrival, Lu Xia and A Mu are surprised to find an elderly man with a formidable aura waiting as the challenger.
Lu Xia eagerly prepares to face him. " "Recap 2"" Reporter Xiao Sha interviews Hai Guang Middle School, who express no fear of Yu Qing, confident in their own strength and the addition of talented newcomer Yuan Chi, aiming for a third consecutive championship. During the draw ceremony, Hai Guang and Xing Yao, as last year's champions and runners-up, are seeded A1 and B1 respectively.
Mu Siyang asks Chi Dayong to draw for Yu Qing, who unfortunately lands in Group B, guaranteeing a future match against Xing Yao. Yu Qing's first opponent is Sixth Middle School, with Xing Yao as a potential subsequent match. Despite this, the Yu Qing team remains unconcerned, believing they are stronger than last year and will not lose again. During Yan Zhiming's formation analysis, Lu Xia questions him on which school they must defeat for the championship.
Yan Zhiming quietly answers "Hai Guang Middle School," which deflates everyone. Lu Xia, observing their fear, wonders if Hai Guang is truly that formidable. Tang Jiale and others affirm Hai Guang's strength. Qiao Chen boastfully claims Yu Qing's strength due to his own good looks and skill, immediately sparking an argument with Zhang Baiyang. Lu Xia mocks their bickering, stating they are far from good, which unites them against him. Coach Qi Na enters the office, halting their quarrel.
She emphasizes the strength of their upcoming opponents and announces the start of "devil training," ordering everyone to the court. Qi Na pushes the team to exhaustion, yet they become increasingly motivated, eager for the upcoming provincial matches, leading Qi Na to add more training. Observing Lu Xia's increasingly similar playing style to Lu Xiangqian's, Qi Na worries it might limit his full potential and calls Lu Xiangqian.
Lu Xiangqian is surprised by her call but becomes concerned after learning it's about Lu Xia. Chi Dayong experiences nervous gastralgia, causing stomach cramps under pressure, which severely impacts his training. During doubles practice with Tang Jiale, Yan Zhiming advises Chi Dayong to occasionally let Tang Jiale take the initiative. Chi Dayong heads to the locker room for medication for his stomach cramps.
Seeing Tang Jiale training diligently upon his return, he feels even greater pressure, fearing he cannot keep up with Tang Jiale's progress. Lu Xia returns home to find Lu Xiangqian has prepared strange new dishes, ruining his appetite, and he rushes to his room. Lu Xiangqian stops him, asking him to make steamed buns together, using the opportunity to advise Lu Xia that his own true style is what suits him best.
Lu Xiangqian then worries if his words were too abstract but believes Lu Xia will understand. Back at school, Lu Xia finds a letter in his locker mentioning "rocket tennis" and "cupcakes," which piques his interest in the specified Lingxi Road Tennis Court. Chi Dayong and Tang Jiale play doubles against Yan Zhiming and Zhang Baiyang. Chi Dayong's ongoing stomach cramps due to pressure frequently hinder his coordination with Tang Jiale, leading to their losses.
After the defeat, Chi Dayong feels even more pressured. He specifically asks Yan Zhiming for his training data, only to learn his improvement rate is below standard, while Tang Jiale's has surprisingly met the goal. While retrieving a ball, Qiao Chen accidentally tears his pants and hides in a corner of the court, waiting for Huang Jing and Ma Xiuwen to bring him new ones.
Huang Jing and Ma Xiuwen inadvertently discover Lu Xia's discarded letter and decide to check out Lingxi Road Tennis Court. Lu Xia, seizing an opportunity when no one is watching, slips away from the training grounds to Lingxi Road Tennis Court. A Mu, unsure of Lu Xia's intentions, follows him. Qi Na discovers Qiao Chen's absence and, misunderstanding, assumes he is slacking and plans extra training for him.
When Qiao Chen explains his situation, Qi Na realizes many players are missing from the court and decides to give all absentees extra training. Just as Qi Na gives the order, Mu Siyang finds the letter and informs Qi Na that Lu Xia has gone to Lingxi Road Tennis Court. Qi Ying and Peng Xiang overhear this and immediately rush there to watch Lu Xia play. Upon arriving at the tennis court, Lu Xia discovers his challenger is not a high school student, but Grandpa Liu from Sixth Middle School.
