Ryoma's first day at Seishun Academy, also known as "Seigaku." He rescues Horio, a seventh grader being picked on by two older tennis team members. He easily dispatches them, piquing the interest of Takeshi Momoshiro, a tennis team regular.
Arai tries to get his revenge on Ryoma. He hides Ryoma's rackets and challenges him to a match, forcing him to play with an old and broken racket. All the while the Seigaku team members observe Ryoma closely.
Ryoma has been chosen by Captain Kunimitsu Tezuka to play for a spot on the regular team, a first for a seventh grader. His main opponent is Kaoru Kaido, infamous for his "Snake Shot" and reptilian nature.
Ryoma patiently plays Kaido's game while gathering information crucial to voiding his dangerous "Snake Shot." Ryoma counters effectively, amazing all who watch.
Mr. Inoue from Monthly Pro Tennis magazine goes to interview Ryoma's quirky and lazy father Nanjiro. Rebuffing his questions, Nanjiro challenges Inoue to a game of tennis.
Ryoma unleashes his secret weapon, "the split step," which makes him respond to Sadaharu's attacks quicker and clouds Sadaharu's predictions of Ryoma's game.
Ryoma defeats Sadaharu and wins a spot on the regular team. Sadaharu isn't out of the picture though--he stays on to help train the regulars and introduce them to his special concoction: a vegetable drink guaranteed to make them stronger.
Sasabe has returned! Only this time it's his father who's the troublemaker, making a fun day at Kachiro's father's tennis club a nightmare. Ryoma tries to diffuse the situation slyly by asking Mr. Sasabe to teach him tennis.
Ryoma and Momo are developing a competitive friendship. They both have their eyes on the #3 doubles spot so they decide to play each other for it. At the outdoor tennis courts they come upon a round-robin doubles game.
Although they lost to Fukawa and Izumi, Ryoma and Momo decide to challenge themselves and play doubles at the district matches. Coincidentally, their opponents there are Gyokurin's Fukawa and Izumi, again.
