The Art Of Badminton

My name is Nay !

Just one step away the Chinese pair will take the points in the first game.

Yuta and Arisa steal time to take a breath. They wipe away sweat long enough. Chinese couple wiping sweat on the sidelines. The referee seemed to let them take longer breaths. Usually referees always rebuke players if they seem to be stalling. But this time the referee seems to be being kind.

Siwei served very thinly and hit the net, almost Yuta released the serve ball, but his instincts said something else. Yuta picked up the ball and hit it even though it wasn't perfect. Yaqiong snatched an imperfect return from Yuta, but Yuta was quick and ready to block the ball from Yaqiong. The ball shot back to Yaqiong's left side, Siwei swiftly returned the ball soared to the back. Arisa swiftly did a jumping smash and directed towards the right of Yaqiong. Yaqiong flabbergasted his ball darting past his body, while Siwei was still far to his left. But Yaqiong was unwilling to give up this victory point. His body he dropped backwards with his long hands first chasing the fast-moving ball. Yaqiong slumped back quite hard. Not yet he stood up, the roaring cheers of the audience blaring, the whistling and the punch of the ornaments really make goosebumps. Yaqiong's imperfect return ball turned out to hit the net lip and fell bounced on the Japanese pair's field. This first game clearly belongs to a Chinese couple.

"Games ! Twenty two - Twenty !"

Referees stated the first game was completed and belonged to the Chinese couple.

I just kept quiet watching the game. I'm sure in a few seconds, I held my breath. Sweaty hands. I was both nervous and scared. "Am I ever able to be at that level !" I'm really scared.

*

The second game is underway. In accordance with his predictions, the second game is not as interesting as the first game.

She 'the woman' was engrossed in her notebook. While writing something he nodded his head several times. I'm sure he's satisfied with his predictions about this match. Sometimes he looks at me while smiling at me as if to show off. I just smiled back at him. All I think about now is how I can be as good as them.

Arisa made a mistake several times. The balls are not as accurate as the first game. Yuta looked shabby chasing the ball. Seeing Yuta I was so amazed. Although several times the ball of responsibility was struck by Siwei and Yaqiong and the opponent should die immediately, but Yuta had a fighting spirit that was too amazing. His spirit really amazes me and envies me.

It didn't take long, half the game was over. Eleven - Seven for the superiority of the Chinese pair. Arisa was sitting on the reclining chair. His coach seemed to give directions while giving an ice cube compress on Arisa's shoulder. Yuta seemed to jump in place to keep his mind and spirit so as not to disappear just like that.

Chinese couples don't want to wait for a Japanese couple to regain confidence. Siwei and Yaqiong were unceasingly pounding their defenses. Although Yuta's defense is difficult to penetrate, because Arisa's movement has slowed down, inevitably Yuta's defense was broken.

Arisa and Yaqiong played head to head in front of the net several times. But Arisan is a veteran. Several times he was fooled by Yaqiong's small blows. Until finally this match ends without the thrilling.

"Twenty one - twelve !"

Japanese and Chinese couples shake hands. The audience for both couples is incredible.

**

The second match will start soon. The Korean and Japanese women's doubles are already on the field. Indeed, for now the world women's doubles are still dominated by Japan, China and Korea.

I first ventured to ask, but it felt awkward.

I cleared my throat while looking at his face.

" Ehhhmmm...! "

She responded by looking at my face with a sweet little smile.

I am really confused where to start.

I moved my legs over and over again unconsciously from nervousness. My right hand was clenched and held by my left. I was trying to gather strength to dare to ask her something.

I finally realized that it was someone beside me who called my name.

"Your name is Rey, right ?" I just kept quiet feeling shocked. I didn't even nod my head let alone make a sound.

"I've heard it a few times, this Master calls you Rey !" He pointed his finger at Grandpa. Grandpa did not realize that he was being talked about.

I nodded slowly while looking at his face. He just smiled.

For a moment we just fell silent while looking at the match that had just started. The crowd as usual was unrelenting.

"If your name is...!?" Suddenly the question came out of my mouth. Bak sprained salak seeds, I want to cough but I hold as hard as I can with both hands.

He didn't respond at all. "Thank God maybe he didn't hear it because of the noise from the audience." I thought in my heart.

"Nay ! i'm Nay...! " she said, tying her hair back with both hands. I stared at him for a long time and noticed every detail of his body. The first time I felt something like this.

We were silent for quite a while. The women's doubles match was pretty tough. Hull balls are still a strategy both of these pairs hope that someone is off guard and immediately executes the ball to turn off the opponent.

Physical factors are also one of the most important for this women's doubles, because with stomach balls that often occur, it takes extra energy to take it and also to restore it. Such hull balls are not easy to die, so it is not surprising that in one serve can reach dozens of blows until the ball is dead. The time spent by the women's doubles is arguably the most wasteful when compared to other sectors.

The first game was won by a Japanese couple with twenty-one - seventeen. This Japanese couple has a very complete package. In addition to tenacious, they also have a high posture and are very easy to do smash. Not only that, this Japanese couple was nicknamed 'daughter of Japan' because of her truly charming looks.

"If only Greys - Apri join this tournament ! " I muttered a little while imagining Ganda the best Indonesian princess who was in that field.

I can't believe Nay, the woman whose name I just knew, responded to my little mutter. "Dear is indeed ! But..this is not worth !"

I was surprised Nay responded to my small mutter.

"Isn't this Indonesia Open Super 1000 ! one of the most prestigious tournaments in the World ! Which might not be worth it! " I'm trying to explain.

"Yes right ! " Nay replied casually. "But long-term health and career are more important right Rey !?" He explained at once asking me. " Don't tell me someday you'll sacrifice your future by forcing yourself into a match when you yourself risk your future. Such behavior is stupid. I'd hate him so much !"

I just kept quiet hearing his explanation.

"Wouldn't the chance come back Rey ! different with health. When a person is convicted of not being able to do sports professionally anymore, then the end of his career. No more second chances. I hope later you're not like that Rey !".

I was silent and could not say anything. Everything he said was true. Career destruction due to injury is a very scary thing for an athlete.

I looked in awe at her, and I just realized she was more beautiful than before.

***

The audience is back. Finally, after a duration of one hour and ten minutes, the final match of the women's doubles won by the Japanese couple over the Korean couple with straigh game.