He decided to participate in the Shenzhen Open, but even if he won, the Shenzhen Open alone could not fill 300 points. So, Hanwoojin had to select one challenger ahead of schedule and fill out the application form.
Shin Se-yeon listened to a mobile phone when she realized that a challenger-level competition would be held in Japan. It was because the Korean Tennis Association had an influence to some extent in Asia, and Japan.
"Agent Shin Se-yeon. I'd like to talk about Hanwoojin's next tournament. "
[Hanwoojin player… Ah ~ You win the Seoul Open? This time the player ranked 180th in the world rankings.]
"Yes, that's right."
I talked over the phone for a while. Hanwoojin seemed to be thinking about how to treat the player. Too big to be a rookie. Because of his short career since his debut,
I couldn't deal with it.
Soon afterwards I heard it again. The voice changed and it seemed as if someone else was on the phone.
[Excuse me. I'm Lee Jung-hwan of the Korean Tennis Association. Hanwoojin player agent?]
"Yes, it is Shin Se-yeon."
[If you have any comments on Hanwoojin's tournament in the future, please find me. When the stories come up from the counselors, things are often very late.]
"Okay. Thank you for your consideration. "
Shin Se-yeon was quite nervous while having a conversation.
I didn't even know the name Hanwoojin, so I searched for it and waited five minutes. Now, a class, who may have a position in the association, asks for a direct name in his name.
Although she was not Hanwoojin himself, she felt as if her shoulders were rising.
After the talk was over, a polite voice came across from the cell phone to the end.
[Seed ticket for Challenger League, Keio meeting held in Yokohama. We received well. And I'll tell you about the propaganda open, but I think the result will be a bit opaque.]
"Thank you. That's enough. I look forward to hearing from you. "
After listening to Lee Jung-hwan's voice that he would handle the procedure related to the propaganda open, he did not call for a request. The agent was active, so she was treated quite well. It wasn't bad.
'Is this why you want to catch players well?'
No matter how good the agent is, if the player in charge is young, he will be insignificant. In that sense, Shin Se-yeon was very lucky. Already, I've already been in charge of a rookie, which is one of the top three fingers in Korea.
She looked down at Hanwoojin, who is in the middle of a practice game on the Squad Court, and thought that she would have to deliver the news just before the practice was over.
* * *
The tournament schedule in Japan, Yokohama was very smooth. The booking of the plane, the reservation of the lodging, and the seed ticket were also readily available.
Han Woo-jin took five seeds and made one round a little earlier. The two headed for Keio University, where the tournament took place as soon as they got off the airport.
Keio University is a prestigious private university established by Yukichi Fukuzawa, whose face is drawn on a Japanese yen bill.
"It's kind of interesting to rent a college coat and hold a competition."
"right? But if you look closely, it's worth it. Keio University has the largest tennis circle in Japan. The influence on Japanese tennis is bound to be great. "
"I didn't know that. I only knew that there was a lot of side activities or clubs. "
This Japanese environment was also an envy of the students who dream of becoming a sports industry in Korea. The advantage of being able to take classes systematically from high school as well as junior high school is that they can be combined with schoolwork.
Not only that, but also the route to a prestigious university is also a career that makes treatment better when debuting as a pro. It was not something we could hope for in Korea yet. As for the current situation where only one study is being pushed.
It was not comparable to soccer or baseball, but tennis also differed in size from Korea.
'Is it early yet? I'd be greedy if you don't even play soccer or baseball. '
Han Woo-jin looked at the scenery passing through the window, kicking his tongue in the domestic situation. Unlike Choi Yeon-hyuk, who frequently participated in Japanese competitions, including the Kyoto Open, he was just amazed because he had never been to Japan.
A new vehicle quickly entered Minato-ku, Yokohama, where Keio University is located. As a port city, the blue sea appeared from far away.
It was a scene with a different flavor from Busan in Korea. Unlike Haeundae, which has a lot of skyscrapers, there are short and thick buildings lined up around a few tall buildings. The weather is good, and the sun shines through the window
I got it.
Freaking.
"읏."
As I lowered the window of the car, I hooked up and filled the smell of the sea. The wind was strong, but the humid and warm weather made the smell of the sea stronger.
It wasn't bad though. Warm weather, rather than hot, smoothed out the tense body of Hanwoojin. It was refreshing because the wind was blowing because of the beach. The condition was very good.
He recalled the memories of a few days ago, following the racket next to him. It is the status window of Choi Yeon-hyuk, who sneak peeked while talking to each other while meeting the schedule.
[Choi Yeon-hyuk]
Strength 61 / Health 66 / Agility 63
HP 2520/2640 SP 740/740
Forehand: 13/20
Backhand: 9/20
Serve: 11/20
Volley: 14/20
Smash: 10/20
Dropshot: 9/20
Lob: 8/20
Special Technique: Slippers (Volley)
'It's definitely growing than before.'
Are you not listening to genius?
Choi Yeon-hyuk may not have the same capability as the system, but it was increasing its capacity at a terrible rate.
Although it could not be compared to Hanwoojin, who rapidly increased his physical ability through stat rewards, the skill level and the slightly increased figures proved his growth. Han Woo-jin, who was slightly loosened, was short of renewing the ceremony.
Still not as frustrating as before. Perhaps it was because the situation was a little different than when he was jealous and nervous. Han Woo-jin was able to calmly distinguish his work and rejoice in the growth of his rivals.
He didn't want to end the previous day too much.
Quik.
The car entered the buildings, which were quite luxurious. The buildings, which were built in the European style, boasted the sun as if they proved the location of Keio University.
"… The building is old for college? "
"Since then, it is one of the oldest universities in Japan. It's roughly 140 years ago. "
If you stayed for about 140 years, it might look like an antique. Han Woo-jin was convinced after hearing her explanation.
Shin Se-yeon's driving car entered a parking lot at Keio University. Then a man waiting at the entrance of the parking lot came up and knocked on the window. Maybe after confirming the identity was able to enter.
She lowered the window without hesitation.
"What are you doing here?"
"This is a player vehicle for the Keio Challenger competition. I came to the reception desk. "
"Ah, yes. Could you tell me the name of the player? "
Conversation came in fluent Japanese. Hanwoojin in the back seat did not know what the sound is coming out of the window was looking out. After the identity was queried, he removed the sign that the man had placed at the entrance to the parking lot.
"Welcome to Keio-Ogijuku. You can go inside. "
"Yes, thank you."
Since then, it was all things happening.
As soon as she pulled over to the parking lot, she and Hanwoojin teased at the reception desk of the contest inside Keio University. The students were very impressed with their muscles.
In terms of Korea, the students were neatly organized as if they were a college with a position corresponding to the high school. It was easy to find a guy with a racket to have the biggest tennis circle.
At the reception desk, a female employee sat yawning. Already all good players are finished, so there seems to be nothing to do.
""Excuse me.""
""Ah! Sorry. Are you a participant? "
The staff corrected their postures with amazement as Shin Se-yeon spoke. It did not seem to be an unfaithful personality. Shin Se-yeon smiled softly and nodded.
"Please look for Hanwoojin player in Korea."
"Hanwoojin player… Yes, it is confirmed You've received seed five times. Do you have any questions about this competition? 」
She asked her questions, brightening her eyes to see if the group of athletes was so welcome.
But it did not come up to ask. So Shin Se-yeon interprets the staff and talks with Hanwoo-jin, and a few students who have passed by have looked at them and heard murmurs.
"Hanwoojin? Are you a Korean player in this tournament? "
"Oh, I know that person. I made a professional debut this year and the ranking is already in the top 100. "
""Really? It's genius.
Han Woo-jin did not understand the gossips, but she somehow suppressed Siluk's mouth. It would be nice to have a good player. I felt like knowing what it was worth to be an agent.
Responding to Hanwoojin's expression that her face was strange, she left the reception desk and headed for the parking lot.
* * *
"Huh… "
Hanwoo-jin, who went through a briefing time, which is now almost everyday, was lying in bed. It was a very subtle feeling that my body was fine but my mind was tired.
Shin Se-yeon laughed as he saw him bend over. Although she felt a bit of a rush, today's briefing wasn't too bad. Hanwoojin's skill has risen that much.
The average level of players participating in the Keio Challenger competition was not much better than the Gimcheon Open. Isn't that a bit of an opponent you think about a Japanese player in the top 200?
Of course, it was a level that Hanwoojin can afford to deal with.
"Honestly, Ujin, are you not really interested in this competition? I didn't ask anything during the briefing. "
"… That's right. I didn't have any players and I think it will be okay. "
Insufficient is arrogant to say, but if a person who is good at it puts it in his mouth, he becomes confident. At least Hanwoojin was qualified to elevate himself at the challenger level. In Asia's Challenger Championships, the world's top 100 are considered to be the best candidates.
"The Okuda I met last time is in the United States. Maybe you're intimate? "
"Then stop if you accept it."
Ryosuke Okuda, who didn't want to participate in the Keio Challenger tournament, is now in Japan.
After losing to Hanwoojin, he decided to thoroughly refine his skills, and he seemed to be building his capacity by going around rather than going around the competition. Seeing the future was a wise choice.
If you complete the unfinished forehand double style, you won't be able to become a future world ranker. Hanwoojin couldn't stop his feet just in case. Now that the wind blows, you must row once more.
The finals will be two days later. The Tokyo Open can't even be dreamed of if you're caught up in Keio. Han Woo-jin again looked into the profile file Shin Se-yeon brought.
'Something has changed.'
Despite that sense, the world was no different.
The competition wasn't easy, and it wasn't much that the other players were weak.
Just the point where Hanwoojin stood has changed.
Even if not peaked, the middle has risen.
There was still a long way to go, but now there was a view down.