The Prince of Tennis Episode 3 Recap
> The Prince of Tennis Recap
Lu Xia’s father, Lu Xiangqian, a jovial middle-aged man, enthusiastically supports his son’s tennis aspirations, having once been a player himself whose father didn’t approve. While Lu Xiangqian chats animatedly, Lu Xia diligently eats the elaborate meal his father prepared. Meanwhile, Qi Ying is also busy making a bento for Lu Xia’s upcoming match. The next day, Lu Xia trains at Mu Siyang’s father’s tennis court.
Their session is interrupted by Mr. Huang, a rude, middle-aged man who arrogantly refuses to warm up and insults Mu Siyang’s father. Mu Siyang wisely takes Lu Xia to another court, but they soon hear Mr. Huang’s continued arguing. Unable to tolerate the disrespect, Lu Xia steps forward and challenges Mr. Huang to a match, ostensibly to "learn." Mr. Huang, overly confident in his self-proclaimed professional skills, accepts.
Lu Xia quickly and effortlessly defeats the arrogant player, leaving Mr. Huang thoroughly impressed and willing to warm up as instructed. Soon after, Qi Ying arrives with her friend, Peng Xiang, bringing a spread of food. Though Lu Xia enjoys her cooking, his focus remains entirely on the court. Qi Ying hands Lu Xia a main team uniform, hoping he’ll try it on for her, but hesitates to voice her wish.
Sensing her unspoken desire, Lu Xia obligingly puts on the uniform, much to Qi Ying’s delight. Elsewhere, a late Qiao Chen, rushing to the court, accidentally crashes into Lu Xia’s father, Lu Xiangqian. Their initial dispute over compensation quickly dissipates as they discover a shared passion for pop star Hua Chenyu, instantly transforming into friends. Lu Xiangqian invites Qiao Chen back to his guesthouse, where they bond over Hua Chenyu videos and drinks.
During their chat, Qiao Chen, wanting to impress, exaggerates his influence, claiming to "cover" Lu Xia at school, a statement Lu Xiangqian amusingly believes. As Yuqing Middle School prepares for its first external match against Yuhang Middle School, Coach Qi Na and Mu Siyang discuss strategies, particularly the undecided third singles player between Lu Xia and Qiao Chen. Lu Xia and Qiao Chen decide to settle it with a direct match.
They head to a special court where only the strongest players can hold their ground. To secure the court for their match, they must team up and defeat all challengers. Despite clearing out the weaker players, they are suddenly challenged by Yuhang Middle School’s ace doubles team, Zhong Buchuan and Wu Quan. With no prior doubles experience or chemistry, Lu Xia and Qiao Chen suffer a humiliating defeat.
Mocked by their opponents, they have a crucial realization: instead of competing for a singles spot, they should focus on developing their doubles game. Following this revelation, Lu Xia begins seeking out books on doubles strategy. Around the same time, Qiao Chen encounters his middle school classmate, Xizi, at the court. Eager to impress her and avoid losing face, he treats her to a drink. Meanwhile, a reporter named Xiao Sha attempts to interview young tennis players.
During a break, she mistakenly enters the boys’ locker room. Later, she tries to interview Lu Xia, but he declines. Determined, she tracks him, eventually discovering his home address with Qi Ying’s unwitting help. Xiao Sha arrives at Lu Xia’s family guesthouse, where Lu Xiangqian is enjoying Hua Chenyu music videos while grilling. Hoping to get an exclusive on Lu Xiangqian’s reasons for leaving the tennis team, Xiao Sha tries to entice him with a Hua Chenyu autograph.
When he resists, she proposes a tennis match: if she wins, he must grant the interview. Lu Xiangqian agrees, even playing blindfolded, but still easily outmaneuvers Xiao Sha. He accepts her interview requests while they play. Xiao Sha later has an embarrassing encounter in the locker room with Ma Xiuwen, further complicating her reporting efforts. Back at the school, Coach Qi Na delegates much of the team’s training to Mu Siyang, who, recognizing Yan Zhiming’s capabilities, recommends him for co-management.
Yan Zhiming devises a strict and seemingly simple training regimen that proves incredibly difficult to execute. He also introduces his infamous homemade vegetable juice. Tang Jiale, initially confident and dismissive, volunteers to demonstrate. After a short while, burdened by the 1-kilogram lead weights on his ankles, he quickly falters, admitting his respect for Yan Zhiming. After his surrender, Tang Jiale is forced to drink a glass of the bitter juice.
He swallows it quickly but soon feels its unbearable bitterness, running off to vomit. One by one, other main players challenge Yan Zhiming’s methods, only to be defeated and forced to consume the bitter drink, collapsing from its effects. Only Zhuo Zhi appears to genuinely appreciate its unique taste. Xiao Sha, arriving to interview the "genius" players, is instead met with a scene of collapsed athletes.
She finds Lu Xia, who, too, has made a mistake and is compelled by Yan Zhiming to drink the juice, causing him to faint on the court. Despite the grueling training, Yan Zhiming’s analysis predicts a high 90% chance of Yuqing winning against Yuhang Middle School, leaving him confident in their prospects.
