The Prince of Tennis Episode 25 Recap
> The Prince of Tennis Recap
When several team members—Lu Xia, Qiao Chen, Zhang Baiyang, Tang Jiale, and Chi Dayong—are absent from training, Mu Siyang informs the coach of their whereabouts at Lingxi Tennis Court. There, Lu Xia encounters a mysterious old man with a tennis racket and challenges him to a match. Qi Ying and others arrive, initially disbelieving Lu Xia would play an elder.
The old man proves to be an exceptionally skilled player, easily predicting Lu Xia's moves and giving him a significant challenge, showcasing his knowledge of Lu Xia's playstyle. A young man then reveals the old man to be their coach. The match is cut short by the arrival of the person Lu Xia was waiting for, Kui Jian, leaving Lu Xia frustrated and eager to continue.
Later, it's revealed this old man is the "Sixth Master" and also Lu Xiangqian's former enlightenment teacher, who guided him into tennis. Lu Xia's father, Lu Xiangqian, recognizing his son's struggles, plays a match against Lu Xia while blindfolded. He explains this allows him to use all his senses and not hold back, aiming to teach Lu Xia a crucial lesson: "technique should not surpass consciousness."
Lu Xia is surprised by his father's precision but initially struggles to grasp the profound meaning. Meanwhile, team dynamics evolve. Tang Jiale's performance improves significantly, contrasting with Chi Dayong's struggles with mental blocks and errors, making him feel like a burden to Tang Jiale. Yan Zhiming, the team's analyst, takes initiative. He thoroughly analyzes the strengths and weaknesses of team members like Qiao Chen, Zhang Baiyang, Tang Jiale, and Chi Dayong, though notably not Mu Siyang.
He also analyzes their rival, Sixth Middle School, whose peculiar rackets the Sixth Master was seen using. Yan Zhiming proposes new, less conventional training methods for Lu Xia, urging him to trust the process and break free from his limitations, hinting at unexpected gains. Lu Xia remains troubled by his loss to the Sixth Master, who could effortlessly read his every move.
Qi Ying, observing Lu Xia's somber mood, offers comfort and advises him to change his perspective, illustrating with a stuck vending machine that yields two drinks when approached differently. Lu Xia tries to buy a drink, but it gets stuck. Qi Ying then demonstrates the "different angle" by getting two drinks out, explaining that persistence and a change in perspective can solve problems.
A turning point for Lu Xia comes when he attempts to guide Qi Ying on her serving technique at school. Through this process, he has a sudden realization: his own playing style is an over-imitation of Lu Xiangqian's, making his shots predictable and easily countered. This epiphany helps him finally understand the cryptic advice from both his father and the Sixth Master: he needs to find his "own" unique tennis style, rather than merely mimicking his father's.
Determined to grow, Lu Xia, feeling his mind opening, begins training with intense, almost manic energy, surprising his teammates. Chi Dayong, feeling increasingly inadequate compared to Tang Jiale, redoubles his own efforts in training. Lu Xia seeks further guidance from a bookstore, where the owner advises him not to rush his journey. Yan Zhiming continues to support Lu Xia, discussing his philosophy of tennis and urging him to find a style that integrates his natural talent.
Overwhelmed by his new understanding, Lu Xia decides to restart his tennis journey from scratch, studying foundational concepts and practicing basic swings, a puzzling yet serious commitment that worries his teammates, who are unsure how to help him.
