God of Tennis

The city area of Valencia, which arrived through a wide open orange field, literally corresponded to the image of Europe. A mix of Gothic, Baroque, and Historic Spain

and the depth of the tradition.

But it didn't mean that the road was obsolete or anything. There were paved roads between well-preserved old buildings, proving that new buildings, such as aquariums and museums, were not outdated.

There was.

“· · · It looks a little different than I thought. Spain seemed to be full of old buildings. ”

Isn't that the kind of image that people normally think of when they're in Europe? A few old-fashioned churches or cathedrals, and instead of buildings or concrete buildings, the old mansions or sidewalks remain intact.

The landscape. Hanwoojin was no exception.

Kim Sang-pil, who was short of both fingers, replied to the question that would be ordinary if it were the number of countries that wandered around.

“For some reason, we all have that image in Europe. There's actually no such thing. In Valencia, churches are built in the center of the city. ”

“The roads are tidied up for that, and there's an aquarium, but it's not very glamorous · ·”

Han Woo-jin hesitated because he didn't know what to say about this strange feeling. Visitors visiting Valencia for the first time sometimes feel it. Kim Sang-pil also knew it well, so he smiled and followed behind him.

I gave it to him.

“What a harmonious city, right? It's a landscape that's hard to see in Korea. ”

It was a harmonious expression that he had not even thought of. Despite the mixing of old and new buildings, there was not a single glamour found in Valencia's landscape. It is well balanced between tradition and the cutting edge.

As opposed to Korea, which lost many cultural heritage due to rapid industrialization and subsequent warfare.

After a few chapels, bell towers, and fountains, the group is able to reach the surrounding building marked with the destination. It was the lobby of a hotel near the cathedral where the Valencia Open was held.

Kim Sang-pil, who parked his car at the entrance of the hotel, looked around the nearby road and scratched his back as his face became embarrassed.

“I don't think there's any way to stop. I think we should leave it in the public parking lot for a while. ”

“Then shall we go together? ”

“No, you go down first and work. The place isn't far because it's nearby anyway. ”

So, Sang-pil Kim, who dropped Han Woo-jin and Shin Se-yeon, quickly stepped on Axel and stopped nearby. Spain had a lot of demands for such an arrest on vehicles that had stopped for no reason because the traffic police had been so desperate.

It was also worth it because of the speed produced by the experience.

A little awkward air just before arriving, but the two of them walked inside the hotel without anyone having to be first. Head inside through the accommodation desk with a banner that says Valencia Open.

The liver desk caught their eye.

Whether the desk was caring for people who didn't speak Spanish, the desk was distinguishing the reception by signs such as [Spanish] and [English]. Either they were in a quiet time zone or there was no one there, so they went to the English staff and said,

I walked.

“Excuse me. I'm here to register the location and contact information of the player's listing. ”

“Oh, welcome. Which one of you is the player? ”

“This way. Korean nationality, name is Wu · · · ”

“" Woojin Han?! ”

Shin Se-yeon, who continued to talk like water, suddenly swallowed up the horse that had fallen into the form of a woman vomiting wonder. If I was drinking water, I would have heard 100% sand. The one who started the hiccups after a quick inhale.

On behalf of her, Han Woo-jin stepped forward and received a message.

“Why are you so surprised? ”

“Wow! It's really you! I've always wanted to meet you after hearing that you're participating in this competition! ”

She grips her hot hand, shaking the roof up and down, and makes eye contact before he answers anything. It was frustrating to be reacted like a polar fan with Idol in front of his eyes. Not domestically, but overseas.

It was the first time.

How else are we supposed to react to this? ’

I was Shin Se-yeon who was making a cute hiccup behind her back, and I was the first overseas fan I had ever encountered. Hanwoojin, who was weak to the situation that had never been experienced, remained stiff.

Then the receptionist turned away, even the colleague holding the gun at her side, and stepped forward, removing the employee's badge from her neck. I don't know how to do this, but when Han Woo-jin rolls his eyes,

The woman also took out a pen and handed it to him, giving him her requirements outside of her mouth.

“Please sign! ”

After all, Han Woo-jin lacked his accommodation and telephone number, so he had to write an unfamiliar handwritten autograph. It was right after the two of them left the reception.

“Woojin, you're popular. ”

“· · Yeah. ”

Han Woo-jin accepted Shin Se-yeon's bony point with a trembling tone. I had experienced it once in the Academy, but I even felt more famed in Spain than in South Korea. Just a disturbance at the reception.

Not only that, he had gathered people's gazes several times while walking out of the hotel.

‘They were definitely the eyes that knew me. ’

The gaze that he did not know and the gaze that he knew was definitely different from that of the temperature. Those who looked at themselves with surprised faces or slightly excited were clearly gathering interest because they knew a tennis player named 'Hanwoojin’. Buy like a receptionist

No one asked for phosphorus, but I could see the pronunciation coming and going through their names.

It was Kim Sang-pil who had just finished parking and came up to the front door of the hotel.

“Well, in a certain sense, it's a natural story. ”

“Of course?”

“Yes.”

Kim Sang-pil asserted that he cut it just right. According to his description, South Korea and Spain have different perceptions of tennis than heaven and earth. With over 4 million Spanish tennis fans and a well-equipped indoor coat

You can't put Korean tennis fans on the same boat. Starting with the gap in basic infrastructure for raising athletes, citizens' interests also differed dramatically from those of poles.

In fact, unlike Koreans who don't know the name of their national tennis player even though they may know the name of an overseas soccer player, many people in Spain have memorized the profile of foreign tennis players for months. A lot of people recognize Han Woo-jin.

It was context.

“Plus, it's more likely that a rainbow beat Radar in Sydney. In Spain, Ladal is like a tennis hero. ”

“Right · · · ·. ”

He's a hero, sometimes he even looks like a punk? Before he knew the reality, Han Woo-jin, who had become close to him in his own way, could not erase the subtle feeling somewhere. Most of the time, the original image is similar. Emotions

It's like a reputation floating around because he's so bad at expressing himself.

After roughly narrating the story, Sang-pil Kim looks around the group and changes the topic. Around noon when the sun is still up, it was time for the group to complain about their disguises while riding around in their cars. At the time, Kim Sang-pil offered me lunch.

I took it out.

“Shall we move on? Shin Se-yeon, what was the check-in time for the hotel you had booked in advance? ”

“It's starting at 3: 00. I still have a little time. ”

“Then let's go to the restaurant I know. There's more to life than hotel food. ”

There's no doubt Kim Sang-pil's words, whether he speaks Spanish well enough or frequently. The two nod without a second thought.

But like everyone who was about to eat, it was inevitable to be curious about the menu. Shin Se-yeon was one step ahead of Han Woo-jin.

“What do you usually do in a restaurant? ”

“Spain, too, is a must for Valencia. ”

Kim Sang-pil shrugged his shoulders and taught me the main dishes of the restaurant he was going to.

“Paella is the only source of food in Spain, especially in Valencia! ”

* * *

The restaurant recommended by Sang-pil Kim prepared dishes worthy of the praise. The group finishes their meal with a satisfied face as soon as they can taste the instant paella made in good time.

In fact, Paella, commonly known as Spanish rice dishes and fried rice, had visuals that reminded him of ironbreads and cauldrons. It was a mixture of chunky chicken and big seafood that looked a little weird, but it was just in my mouth.

After putting it in, that thought disappeared too.

And after the meal, it was just a time for check-in. The group climbs up the elevator and talks about the restaurant they just visited.

“That was better than I thought. I didn't expect it to look so clumsy. ”

“I made some, but they're delicious. ”

“Right? That's the restaurant I go to every time I come to Spain. In the evenings, it's hard to get a seat because it's packed. ”

They had been talking about Paella for a while, but by the time they reached the floor where the elevator had been filmed, they had run out of materials. After returning to the point, Han Woo-jin turned to Shin Se-yeon and asked.

“The march is confirmed by what you saw earlier, right? Things that might change order or something · ·. ”

“No. This Valencia Open has no cancellations, and the contestants are very close to the finalists. ”

“Then it's settled. ”

Han Woo-jin uttered in a bold voice. At the right moment, the elevator reaches the floor marked by the target and opens its slick door with a cheerful beep.

His opponent is Ivan Sergio of Spanish nationality, and his ATP rank is 106. Style is a classic Spanish forehand baseliner. Excluding ranking, he was a type of athlete commonly seen in any region of Spain. It's not hard for Han Woo-jin.

It was a level I could beat even if I lost more than half my strength.

Moreover, even though it's only been a few days, Han Woo-jin has been studying Spanish Pohand at the prestigious Barcelona Academy, and has often sparked his senses while competing with Radar. Now he's in a really bad mood at this level.

I was crying.

‘If we keep going up to each other · · · the 8th river against Barbrica and Nicholas in the finals. Other than that, I don't think there are any players to keep in mind. ’

It may be cruel to the judged opponent, but it was an objective fact. Since there are so many competitions held at this time, the top rankers may have passed away. Nicholas, who won last year, didn't see it either.

I can't say. From Han Woojin's point of view, it was as if he had prepared a platform for a stable opponent.

If Barbringa hadn't suddenly announced her intention to go, this Valencia Open would have flowed closer to a one-on-one match with Hanwoojin and Nicholas.

“First, I have to go up to the 8th river. ”

Even at a time when Barbrinca could not realize her potential, there was no threat. If he was really just following Roger, he wouldn't have grown up to be a top ranker in the future to compete in pairs with Big 4.

However, attending the Valencia Open in Barbrica was never a bad thing. A pupa that hasn't even cracked a cocoon yet, and a top ranker who absorbs experience and style around Roger. It was an opportunity to learn the technique of "emperor" indirectly. It will be a good dictionary in case you encounter it in Wimbledon.

‘Let's catch Barbrinca first. ’

The goal is clear.

On the day that the competition was only two days away, Han Woo-jin's eyes opened brightly.

< Hola! Valencia! # 1 > End

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