Now that I've been reborn, I have to play tennis!

Chapter 42 This is a cycle!
Meng Hao's opponent in the semifinals was a player ranked 300th from Thailand named Udomchok.

This person is over 30 years old. In his prime, he was a fringe player among the top 100, but now his competitive state is no longer what it used to be, and he can only play in lower-level hope tournaments.

Even so, he remains the second-ranked tennis player in Thai history.

Since the retirement of former Asian number one Srichaphan, Thai tennis has been in decline, much like how the Chinese national football team has never risen again since Gao Qiu retired.

"I've fallen into a group of middle-aged men! My opponent in the quarterfinals is a middle-aged man, and my opponent in the semifinals is another middle-aged man!"

Looking at the Thai player in the distance, whose face already looked weathered, Meng Hao couldn't help but think to himself.

The world of professional tennis is so cruel; the new generation pushes the old one aside, and the old one dies on the beach.

Even legends like the Big Three are no exception.

Even in his later years, Djokovic maintained an outstanding level of performance, and his strength remained at the top 3 level!
The only difference is that his competitors have changed from Federer and Nadal to Sinner and Alcaraz.

Djokovic can still reach the semifinals of the four Grand Slams in 2025, but he will be defeated by Sinner and Alcaraz in turn. Time waits for no man.

"This Thai guy has also made it to the semifinals, and I will be playing the role of the sniper!"

Meng Hao was awarded the right to serve, and without any hesitation, he went all out from the very first game.

The momentum is like a rainbow!

After a few rounds...

"This..." The Thai player looked surprised. "A seventeen-year-old teenager, and he's so good at the net!"

Just now, Meng Hao first returned a flat and fast slice shot, and then immediately and decisively ran to the net.

Udomchok, being a seasoned veteran, immediately adjusted his footwork and posture before unleashing a powerful smash.

He was preparing to hit a beautiful passing shot, and even at the moment of impact, he would make a feint to confuse his opponent.

However, Meng Hao's anticipation ability was too outstanding. Udomchok's feint had no deceptive effect at all, and instead affected the quality of his own shot.

Meng Hao reacted extremely quickly, shifting his body directly to the right with a beautiful and graceful slide, while simultaneously extending his racket to complete a volley at the net.

He scored that point beautifully!
With this point, Meng Hao successfully held onto his first service game.

This Thai player was a bit skeptical; he couldn't believe that such a young player could be so good at the net!

Generally speaking, net play techniques are difficult to learn.

Many players have to go through countless mistakes and points lost, and slowly improve by summarizing their experiences time and time again.

However, the speed of this progress varies from person to person.

If some people don't get the hang of it, no matter how many points they lose, their net play will always be terrible.

For example, the vast number of male tennis players in my country.

Meng Hao's exceptional net play at such a young age surprised the Thai player, Udomchok.

In the following games, Meng Hao also demonstrated a wide variety of tactics.

He often appears out of nowhere, suddenly rushing to the net to intercept and then easily winning a point.

This left Udomchok utterly helpless!
In terms of mobility, reaction speed, and explosive power, he was inferior to Meng Hao in every way.

He was completely outmatched at the net!

In the first match, Meng Hao won 6-1, handing over another fried dough stick.

In the media section on the sidelines, Chen Yu clenched his fist excitedly.

"too strong!"

"He is the Little Prince of Clay!"

"I would even call him the little Nadal!"

This Thai player, while not as skilled on clay as some European and American players, is still quite strong overall.

At 32 years old, she is not as old as the Spanish athlete who was 36 years old.

In the world of professional tennis, a four-year age difference is a world of difference.

During the break, Udomchok drank mineral water in silence.

His past career kept flashing through his mind.

Although his peak achievements were far from comparable to those of his predecessor Srichaphan, he was still considered a player on the fringes of the top 100. In his youth, while he couldn't compete with the younger players from neighboring countries, he undeniably dominated a generation of Chinese tennis players and achieved extremely impressive results.

"Could it be that……"

Udomchok shook his head vigorously, trying to shake off this unrealistic idea.

The second set continued, and he was the first to serve.

Meng Hao adjusted his tennis cap slightly to make the sunlight less glaring.

If the opponent doesn't want to lose, they have to do everything they can!

Sure enough, this guy went all out.

This player truly deserves his place among the top 100 players in his youth; his ability to improve his skills is undeniable.

The power and depth of the shots were completely different from those in the first set.

"Well done!"

Meng Hao's figure was running back and forth between the left and right ends of the baseline, tirelessly.

The score was very close, and after several 40-40 ties, Meng Hao finally got another break point.

Udomchok spotted an opening and decisively struck the ball towards that spot.

Although he is no longer a top 100 player, his tactical awareness and understanding remain.

Therefore, when he hits the ball, he has already thought about the next connecting tactic.

Charge to the net, ready to intercept!
Meng Hao clearly noticed the other person's movements out of the corner of his eye.

There was indeed an opening just now, and the opponent's tactics were correct; choosing to intercept them at the net was a reasonable move.

However, Udomchok overlooked one point.

The ball speed on this clay court is relatively slow, and the quality of his shots has declined compared to his younger days.

Meng Hao was still well-prepared for defense, rather than rushing to return the ball.

Look back at the moon!

With his back to his opponent, he calmly swung his racket and gently tapped the ball.

Udomchok had already run to the net, but then he saw the opponent's return shot fly high into the air.

His expression changed instantly, and he immediately ran back.

Humans can't outrun a tennis ball, let alone his legs, which aren't as strong as they used to be.

He simply couldn't catch that ball.

Breakout!

Immediately, cheers erupted from the audience and media sections.

In the second set, the Thai player did indeed move up a level. The match was very close, and everyone was worried.

But Meng Hao was indeed too steady, breaking serve in the first game, which reassured everyone.

Udomchok's hard-won morale collapsed instantly.

He had already advanced to this level, yet he still got beaten by that Chinese boy.

In the subsequent match, he lost another service game.

6 is better than 2!

Meng Hao won the second set!
They've made it to the finals!

Udomchok stood there, panting heavily, still somewhat dazed.

"Could this really be a cycle?"

When he was young, he dominated a generation of Chinese tennis players, but when he entered the twilight of his career, he was completely outmatched by a young Chinese player!

……

(End of this chapter)