RJ stood at the entrance of the USGA Junior Tennis Championship, his heart pounding. He had made it this far, but now the competition was tougher than ever.
“This is what I’ve been working for,” he thought, gripping his racket tightly.
Before his first match, RJ sat with Emily, his best friend and practice partner.
“You’ve got this, RJ,” Emily said with a smile. “Just play like you always do.”
Her words gave RJ the boost of confidence he
needed.
RJ’s first opponent was fast and strong, and RJ felt the pressure. The match was intense, but RJ focused on the lessons he’d learned through all his practice.
“Stay calm, stay focused,” he reminded himself, hitting the ball with precision.
After a long and grueling match, RJ won. He raised his arms in triumph, feeling a rush of excitement.
“I
did it!” he thought. Emily cheered from the sidelines, proud of her friend’s achievement.
Between matches, RJ and Emily practiced together, pushing each other to stay sharp.
“You’re playing so well, RJ,” Emily said, her eyes full of pride. “But we’re not done yet,” RJ replied, determined to keep improving.
In the semifinals, RJ faced his toughest opponent yet. The player was aggressive, hitting the ball with incredible speed and accuracy. RJ struggled at first, but he refused to give up. He kept his head in the game, determined to fight for every point.
The crowd cheered as RJ won a crucial point in the match. His confidence grew with each swing, and he could feel the championship within his grasp.
“I’m
almost there,” he thought, his heart racing.
After an intense match, RJ won the semifinals. As he shook hands with his opponent, he felt a surge of pride.
“I’m one step closer to my dream,” he thought, looking over at Emily, who smiled at him from the stands.
Before the championship match, RJ stood on the court, feeling the weight of the moment. This was his chance to become the USGA Junior Champion.
“I’ve worked so hard for this,” he thought, trying to stay calm as the pressure built.
The championship match was the toughest RJ had ever played. His opponent was skilled, and every point was a battle. But RJ played with determination and focus, remembering all the lessons he’d learned along the way.
When the final point was won, RJ couldn’t believe it. He was the USGA Junior Champion! Holding the trophy in his hands, he looked at Emily, who rushed over to congratulate him.
“We did it,” RJ said with a grin, knowing that her support had been a huge part of his success.
Think About:
1. How did RJ feel when he won the championship?
2. What helped RJ stay focused during his matches?
3. How did having a friend like Emily make RJ’s journey easier?
Let's Work Together: Sometimes, working hard and having a strong support system helps us achieve our dreams, just like RJ and Emily.
I Will: I will keep pushing myself to do my best, and I will support my friends as they work toward their goals, too.
The Importance of Knowing: Knowing that success takes determination, hard work, and support from others helps us stay focused on our dreams, even when the road is tough.
From an unathletic boy to a US Open champion, RJ's Racket is an inspiring five-book series about resilience, growth, and the power of determination. When RJ receives a tennis racket for his birthday, he struggles at first, but with unwavering effort and the support of his best friend, Emily, he transforms into a world-class player.
