Chapter 44
Time flies, and in the blink of an eye it's the day to gather. Sanada and Yukimura pack their luggage and set off for Germany.
After hearing the news from Sanada and Yukimura, Yanagi Renji led the team to begin intensive preparations after returning to China, making full preparations for the invitation from the domestic U-17 team.
Each of the three giants of Rikkai University can support the future of Rikkai University.
Since Sanada and Yukimura have gone to other countries to seek higher challenges, Yanagi Renji, as the think tank and the only remaining pillar of the team, naturally has to take on more responsibilities of the team.
The burden that you have to put down after graduation has to be picked up again because of international competitions.
In Germany, Sigmund Pöbke, the current director of U-17 talent development, was already waiting at the airport to personally greet Sanada and Yukimura.
Sigmund Pubke's face was full of smiles. According to common sense, apart from geniuses like Berti, few junior high school students could catch the eye of the German U-17 talent scouting director.
But this time it was an accident. The changes to the U-17 team greatly increased the proportion of junior high school students on the field.
Three junior high school players must participate in the competition. This is the unstable factor of Germany's winning streak. Therefore, Sigmund attaches great importance to the strength of junior high school students.
"Over here, you must be Sanada and Yukimura, welcome to Germany." Sigmund Pöppke extended a warm welcome to every contestant who met the requirements and was selected.
Sanada and Yukimura looked at each other and took out the invitation.
Sigmund Pöppke had already learned of the two's appearance at the Wolfgang Tennis Club, confirmed the invitation, and showed Yukimura and Sanada their work credentials. "Come with me. The U-17 team will take care of your food, clothing, housing, and transportation during your training in Germany. The German U-17 team not only gathers seven outstanding players to compete in international competitions, but also trains with a number of reserve players. Many tennis clubs are also involved, and players who perform well will be considered for contracts..."
This is exactly the career path that Seiichi Yukimura pursues. In Japan, club culture is prevalent, and generally, one can only have the opportunity to enter the professional arena after high school. High school is the place to lay the foundation for a career.
Baseball, volleyball, football, and other sports have all been passed down in this way. Tennis is no exception. According to my OB senior, high school tennis clubs focus more on individual competitions.
But abroad, Yukimura saw his peers become professional players.
Sanada listened to Sigmund Pöppke's explanation and understood the difference between the German U-17 and the Japanese U-17.
Germany's U-17 team operates an elite system, with coaches and staff providing one-on-one support for players' daily routines and training arrangements. There are also fewer restrictions on the number of participants in training.
Japan U-17 adopts open auditions and finally selects players based on the team's needs.
During the brief exchange, Sigmund Pöppke introduced the German U-17's training system and playing style to Sanada and Yukimura.
Yukimura was fascinated by what he heard and was looking forward to life at the training base.
Sanada will treat this as his last moment of personal freedom, after which he will serve as the family representative to repair the family heirloom sword that he himself had broken.
The German U-17 training base is located on the edge of a scenic city, surrounded by lush forests, and the air is filled with the fresh fragrance of grass and trees.
Elmer Seyfried was wandering the halls of the training facility. "Isn't the person in charge going to start yet?"
"Don't worry, Seyfried. The coach said everyone hasn't arrived yet." Frankensteiner stood aside.
Elmer Seyfried curled his lips. "Besides Berti, is there anyone else? I remember there were only two spots available through the club league."
"There are three recommendation spots for three professional players. The main competition only requires three junior high school players, and the club has also given three spots. After Berti takes one, there are still two left. Even so, there is still a substitute position." Frankensteiner explained.
Elmer Seyfried was unconvinced. "A recommendation? That's really lucky."
"It seems they'll need to compete, perhaps in doubles, to facilitate tactical planning," Frankensteiner speculated. After all, everyone knew the German U-17 selection process was notoriously strict, and those who made it through recommendation were undoubtedly very talented.
At this moment, the door of the training base was slowly pushed open, and the figures of Sanada and Yukimura came into view.
Sigmund Pöppke introduced: "This is the meeting place. You have already arrived, Frankensteiner and Elmer Seyfried. This is Yukimura Seiichi and Sanada Genichirō, you two should get to know each other."
Elmer Seyfried's gaze fell on Sanada and Yukimura, looking the two players from Japan up and down with scrutiny in his eyes, but he said nothing.
"Frankensteiner, nice to meet you." Frankensteiner broke the silence first.
Sanada nodded politely. "Sanada."
"Yukimura Seiichi." Yukimura responded with a smile.
Sigmund Pupke watched the interaction between the four and nodded with satisfaction. A first encounter between young players often unleashes their inner fighting spirit and potential. "Coach Heinrich, these players are now in your care."
"Thank you for your hard work, Mr. Sigmund. Leave it to me." Coach Heinrich came down from upstairs. "Welcome to the German U-17 training base. I'm one of your coaches, Heinrich, primarily responsible for basic balancing. I'll give you a tour of the base later. Each training area has a designated person. As players with special admission to the training base, you can use all the facilities, but you'll have priority over the U-17 team. Follow me."
Heinrich explained in detail the German tennis community's approach to training young players, emphasizing the principle of balancing practice with theory and how to rapidly improve players' competitive skills through intensive training and competition. "Here, you will be exposed to the world's most advanced tennis techniques and tactical concepts. German tennis is the most advanced, bar none."
Following Coach Heinrich through every corner of the training base, from the high-tech simulation training room to the spacious indoor court, to the strength training area equipped with various fitness equipment, it demonstrates the importance the German U-17 attaches to the all-round development of its players.
The sound of balls hitting the tennis court and the counting voices of the staff can be clearly heard.
The training base has a simple and modern architectural style and is equipped with all kinds of training facilities, from indoor simulated courts to outdoor standard courts, from strength training areas to physical recovery centers... revealing professionalism and rigor.
"It's so great here!" Yukimura couldn't help but exclaim.
Having visited Japan's U-17 training base, Sanada can feel that the facilities and resources here are more complete and advanced.
As top seeded players from German junior high schools, Elmer Seyfried and Frankensteiner have long been accustomed to the German tennis environment.
After touring the training grounds, Coach Heinrich led his team to the test field. "Let's have a simple exchange match first, so everyone can get to know each other."
Heinrich wanted to confirm the strength of Sanada and Yukimura, although Wolfgang's club provided the game video.
But just one video cannot fully reflect the players' abilities, especially since Sanada and Yukimura have no record of playing in Germany.
A glint of excitement flashed in Elmer Seyfried's eyes, and he had long wanted to make those coming later give up.
Frankensteiner also wanted to see the strength of the recommended players.
The U-17 team has a fixed quota of 14 players each year. Each player has a reserve spot, and the world's top teams rarely use extra spots, so 7 players are usually enough for the main competition.
Therefore, when the competition system changed, Elmer Seyfried and Frankensteiner, who were selected through the competition, were already confirmed to be official team members.
Subsequent competitors are also aware that this is for the purpose of experiencing more advanced and comprehensive training and having a new platform to enhance their strength.
Sanada and Yukimura are different. Sanada and his team have never left a mark on German tennis, and their strength cannot be determined in the qualifiers.
Therefore, Heinrich can give Sanada and Yukimura a reasonable positioning through this competition.
Heinrich's plan was to split the four into two groups, Yukimura and Frankensteiner, and Sanada and Elmer Seyfried, and then swap their opponents to quickly assess the strength of the two new members.
Elmer Seyfried was eager to try, staring at Sanada sharply, clearly eager to compete. "I'll take the lead."
Sanada picked up his racket and waited for instructions from Coach Heinrich.
"Prepare for the fifth-dimensional test. All the middle school students are here. Do you need my help? Coach." Berti, who appeared out of nowhere, was playing with a tennis ball in his hand and scanning the entire court.
Coach Heinrich looked at Berti. "Of course it would be better if you could come, Berti."
The things that were tested with Berti's strength are naturally more accurate.
"Berti, we still have a practice match with other teams the day after tomorrow, and we still have to play." Dankmar Schneider, who was one step behind, reminded Berti.
Berti shrugged. "Just a test. It won't take much time. One ball."
"Then let's start with Sanada." Coach Heinrich pointed and confirmed the first person to play.
Sanada walked to the center of the court and got ready.
Berti stood behind the white line and threw the ball, and the test began.
Aside from the recording staff and video equipment, Coach Heinrich escorted everyone else out of the training grounds. Because these junior high students were not only teammates but also competitors, Heinrich remained objective to avoid interfering with the test results.
In order to test his strength, Berti did not perform any difficult serves, and only started after the tennis ball passed the net.
Sanada reacted quickly, swung his racket and hit the ball, which landed steadily in the opponent's court.
The tennis ball bounced back, and Berti smiled slightly as he chased after the ball and hit it back. "This is the official start."
"Right? No, left." Sanada quickly found the correct place to land the tennis ball, judging by the deviation in the ball's spin.
After a few shots, Berti's eyes grew increasingly serious. Sanada's anticipation and reaction speed were beyond his expectations; his initial premonition had been correct. "He's definitely reached that level."
Sanada's meticulous return of the ball prolonged the game for a considerable amount of time.
Sanada was so engrossed in playing that he had no feeling. The assistant coach who was collecting information outside the stadium was already very busy. Berti's performance on the court had exceeded the limits of the test.
Wanting to engage in a tug-of-war with Berti, Sanada followed without hesitation when Berti improved his fighting power.
The problem is that Berti, as a tester, is at the professional level, while the actual strength of Sanada, who can fight with Berti, is questionable.
"Pause! The test has been recorded almost completely, and there are three more people behind."
Hearing the voice, Sanada blinked, then realized that this was just a test. "Too lax!"
"Not bad, Sanada." Berti praised. He increased the intensity step by step and followed so closely, as expected.
Coach Heinrich checked the data recorded by his assistant, a satisfied smile on his serious face. "Next is Yukimura's turn, after Yukimura, Frankensteiner, and finally Elmer Seyfried."
The subsequent test times were much happier than Sanada's. Yukimura and Frankensteiner's times were subtly equal. Elmer Seyfried, who entered last, was the fastest to come out of the training ground.
"You have learned about the situation at the base. From now on, you will all have your own unique training plans. Everyone has worked hard, so go back and rest first. Starting tomorrow, we will officially enter the intensive training phase." Coach Heinrich announced.
The crowd dispersed, and Sanada and Yukimura returned to their assigned dormitories. The dormitories were clean and comfortable, with single rooms. Sanada and Yukimura were neighbors, and the rooms with names on the doors were occupied by other players.
After simply packing their luggage, Sanada and Yukimura had lunch and were free to move around.
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