The Prince of Tennis Episode 38 Recap
> The Prince of Tennis Recap
The bond between Tang Jiale and Chi Dayong, known as the Golden Duo, faces challenges. Initially disheartened about not playing alongside Chi Dayong in the Xingyao match, Tang Jiale eventually inspires Chi Dayong to commit to their partnership. Chi Dayong decides to revive the Golden Duo, but Tang Jiale, after an intense discussion and a match where he defeats Chi Dayong, asserts his desire to forge a new, upgraded, and eternal partnership, rather than simply reverting to the old one.
Meanwhile, Yan Zhiming, Team Yuqing's coach, implements a rigorous new training plan based on an analysis of their data compared to rival Haiguang Middle School. Lu Xia is the first to undergo this intense regimen, training with Tang Jiale and Chi Dayong, with a focus on countering Haiguang's star player Tian Zilong by working with He Xinglong for this specific purpose.
Tang Jiale is pitted against Zhang Baiyang, Zhuo Zhi, and Qiao Chen to enhance his speed, with the added pressure of facing Yan Zhiming's infamous "Yan Juice" for the losing side. Zhuo Zhi also undergoes specialized training, using a serving machine calibrated to match Yuan Chi's powerful serves. Amidst the demanding training, Lu Xia's racket breaks.
Yan Zhiming instructs him to run ten kilometers to a sports store for repairs, and Chi Dayong further burdens him with weights, turning it into additional physical training. En route, Lu Xia encounters two arrogant players from Haiguang Middle School, including Yuan Chi, who insult Yuqing. Incensed, Lu Xia challenges them to a match. Concurrently, Haiguang's Tian Zilong visits his partner, Bai Shiyan, in the hospital.
Bai Shiyan is unable to participate in the National Tournament due to illness, and his surgery is scheduled for the day of the finals. Tian Zilong promises to win the championship swiftly as a tribute to Bai Shiyan. In his impromptu match against the Haiguang players, Lu Xia, despite his younger age and height disadvantage, holds his own. Yuan Chi resorts to a dirty tactic, intentionally hitting the ball at Lu Xia's leg, causing significant pain.
Despite the injury, Lu Xia refuses to yield. Tapping into his hidden potential and utilizing his ambidextrous skills, Lu Xia manages to defeat Yuan Chi. However, the exertion proves too much, and Lu Xia collapses from exhaustion. He later wakes up in the team office, where his coach expresses concern over his overexertion, but Lu Xia remains determined to find a way to overcome Haiguang.
