The Prince of Tennis (テニスの王子様)

OK, punk!

Try to return this, come on!

Hey, did you hear?

Some 12-year-old kid's playing in the boy's sixteens today.

Thank he'll win a match?

No way.

They must make some mistake when they registered him.

No, I heard it's for real.

Can you believe it?

Whatever.

The whole idea is totally ridiculous.

Jeez.

You're stupid.

You don't even know what grip you're using.

If you guys really want more top spin, use the Western grip.

Face the racket this way, vertical, and hold the

handle like you're shaking hands.

-I expect nothing less than brilliance

from the number one player on the Higa High School tennis

team.

You got that right.

Rip it, and again!

And again!

Hey.

You think you morons can chill out?

Hmm.

Hey, can you believe it?

That kid's telling me to shut up.

Bingo.

You know, in order to use a real Western grip,

you have to hold your racket as if you're picking it up.

What'd you say?

-The handshake grip you were talking about

is called the Eastern grip.

Hey, don't worry about it.

Lots of people make that mistake.

Hey, come back here.

You scared?

Huh!

Wow.

He made you look dumb.

Hey, you guys, we got to go.

Oh, me too!

Come on, grandma.

You invited me here.

And now you're really, really, late.

-Hey, do you where the Kakinohizaka tennis courts are?

Huh?

Oh, it's you!

Wow, what a coincidence.

I'm going to the tennis courts too, to meet my grandma.

Are you in the tournament?

I don't know much about tennis, but I love it.

They're where?

Oh.

I'm sorry.

Um, go out the south exit, and then go straight ahead.

Thanks a lot.

See you.

Ryoma?

His name is Ryoma.

Grandma, you're late!

You're half an hour late!

What the heck took you so long to get here?

-Yeah, I know I'm running a little late.

But let's go.

That's the north exit.

I know that.

To get to the tennis courts, you walk out the north exit

and go straight ahead.

Come on, let's go.

We'll be late.

Huh?

The north exit?

Oh, no.

I can't believe I gave him the wrong directions!

What are you so upset about?

Are you looking around for someone you know?

-Grandma, if a player is late for a match, what happens?

It means he defaults.

Default?

Yep, that's it.

He's out.

-Uh oh, I think I'm in trouble now.

I wonder what that's all about.

Be sure to stay close, Sakuno!

Huh?

Uh, excuse me.

Huh?

Did you make it to your match?

I was late.

I defaulted.

You bet.

It was your double fault.

I know.

You want to get a soda?

Huh?

Here.

-I'm sorry, I didn't have any change.

I just wanted to say thanks for helping me out

with those guys on the train.

Those bullies were really giving me a hard time.

What do you mean?

-Well, those guys were so obnoxious.

If you hadn't said anything, one of them

was going to hit me with his racket.

At least, I thought so.

You were on the train?

Where were you sitting?

I was right across from you.

It was nothing, really.

I just wanted those clowns to shut up.

-Too bad we're bothering you, chump.

It's that kid again, huh?

All talk.

Looks like he's already headed home.

Loser.

-I'm the top seed in boy's sixteens, kid.

And don't you forget it.

So I dare you to tell me to be quiet again, you

twerp, and I'll fix you.

What you looking at?

Huh?

This brat's got to play a boatload of tennis

to get a tenth as good as I am.

I'll make you sorry, creep!

Come on, dude.

Let's go.

Yeah.

Hey.

Still remember that grip I taught you?

What?!

-Hey, if you do, I'd be happy to teach you some more.

Why you little--

Sasabe, you've got a match to play later.

Are you sure you want to do this?

-Destroying the kid will be the perfect warm-up

to beating my next opponent.

Once you put your mind to something,

there's no talking you out of it.

Heh heh heh.

-Ryoma, I think you should think twice about this.

I may as well play.

It's dumb to go home without warming up my serve.

Hold this, please.

-Best of one set match, Sasabe to serve.

We don't need any line judges.

We'll call it ourselves, OK?

Fine with me.

All right, kid.

Don't worry, I'll give you a little handicap.

I'll serve you underhanded.

He can't be serious.

Huh?

Huh?

Love, 15.

Oops, no problem.

I got a little careless.

-So this is where you've run away to.

Oh, grandma, you're here.

-This is going to get interesting.

-Don't just stand there, you've got to do something.

Grandma, these high school bullies

are going to kill my friend Ryoma.

He's just a little kid.

Nonsense.

You just saw that service return, didn't you?

This is going to be really good.

Hey, Sasabe.

I think you better give it up and save face while you can.

Shut up, you moron.

Anybody can return an underhand serve, even you!

Go ahead and keep it up.

People make excuses like that when

you're about to get humiliated.

OK, punk.

Try to return this.

Come on!

-There it is, Sasabe's killer serve.

Not good enough.

Huh?

What the-- wah!

You've got to be kidding me.