At the request of his father, Ryoma Echizen moves to Japan after having success at tennis in the United States, having won four consecutive American Junior Openings. On his way to a Japanese tennis tournament, he "saves" Sakuno Ryuzaki from some thugs. Due to this, he misses the tournament, however, he finds an opponent in the form of one of the thugs he met on the subway. He then puts his opponent, Sasabe, in his place during the match, where he reveals his exceptional tennis capabilities.

Upon his arrival in Seishun Academy, "Seigaku" for short, Ryoma teaches a lesson to two juniors who are picking on the freshmen. Takeshi Momoshiro, one of the team's regulars, puts a stop to it and decides to play Ryoma in a tennis match. Noticing that Momoshiro has a bad ankle, Ryoma decides not to play with his dominant hand. Also, Sakuno's energetic friend, Tomoka, is introduced to Ryoma, and instantly proclaims herself to be his number one fan.

The Seigaku regulars are introduced, while a journalist, Mamoru Inoue, and a photographer, Saori Shiba, visit Seigaku in order to report on the team's upcoming ranking matches. Meanwhile, Ryoma defeats a second year non-regular, Arai, using an old broken tennis racket when the latter hides all three of Ryoma's rackets. Seeing his skill, the captain of the tennis team, Kunimitsu Tezuka, enters Ryoma's name on the roster for the intraschool ranking matches despite the fact that he is a freshman.

The Seigaku ranking matches has begun, and Ryoma and the Seigaku regulars continue to win their matches early on in the tournament. Ryoma then gets pitted against regular Kaoru Kaido in the third round, where the latter reveals his special move, the Snake shot. This throws Ryoma off guard, so he decides to switch to his dominant hand.

Kaido attempts to use his Snake shot to wear off Ryoma's stamina, and though Ryoma initially shows signs of sweating and fatigue, he surprises both Kaido and the spectators when his speed and power does not decrease. Near the end, it is revealed that Ryoma had been implementing a plan: he had been specifically hitting shots that Kaido had to bend his knees in order to return, thus Kaido would loose stamina far faster than Ryoma. His plan works, earning him the win.

Inoue plays a match with Nanjiro Echizen, the former "Samurai Nanjiro", a legendary tennis professional, to get answers about why he retired. Though Nanjiro appears to not be taking it seriously, his skills show otherwise, and he easily beats Inoue with both his eyes closed. However, Inoue finds out that Nanjiro is now focusing on developing the skills of his son, Ryoma. Meanwhile, Sakuno looks for Ryoma to learn more about him and tennis.

In Ryoma's next ranking match, he plays against Inui Sadaharu, who uses Data Tennis to counter Ryoma's play style. Using the data he gathered from Ryoma's previous match, Inui is able to dominate the match by accurately predicting and countering Ryoma's moves. Though irritated, Ryoma refuses to give up and reveals that he is glad to have transferred into Seigaku because he can now play against different types of players, like Inui.

In order to counter Inui's data, Ryoma uses a new technique he had practiced when playing against his father, the One-footed Split Step. This requires him to continuously hop in place so he can react faster to the ball, as well as be able to move to another part of the court more quickly. Using this technique, Ryoma gains enough agility and speed to return Inui's calculated shots. This, along with the Twist Serve, surpasses Inui's data and turns the game into Ryoma's favor.

Inui continues to be unable to return Ryoma's Twist Serve, resulting in his eventual loss. Ryoma then wins his next games, and finally becomes a regular. Meanwhile, Inui plays against his next opponent, Kaido, who also surpasses Inui's data and takes a spot in the regulars as well. With eight spots taken, Inui loses his place as a regular, however, Seigaku's coach, Sumire Ryuzaki, asks him to help in the regulars' training instead. During training, he introduces his special and dreaded vegetable juice, which most of the regulars fall victim to.

Ryoma and the rest of the freshmen go to where Kachiro's father works as a tennis coach. However, they find trouble with Sasabe again, but this time, Sasabe's father is the bigger problem. In order to teach him a lesson, Ryoma asks the father to teach him tennis. Though Sasabe warns his father not to, the latter is more than willing to do so. In their practice match, the father ends up pulling a muscle after Ryoma shows him just how much he should have listened to Kachiro's father's advice about warming up first.

Realizing that the only remaining singles slot left is singles 3, Ryoma and Momoshiro compete for it when they both want to play singles in the upcoming match against Gyokurin Middle School. However, when they decide to settle it with a match, they end up playing doubles against locals instead. Though they defeat their first few challengers, they are utterly defeated by two cocky Gyokurin players due to their lack of teamwork. It is then that the two decide to play doubles in the upcoming match.

Momoshiro and Ryoma volunteer to play in doubles 2, and develop a tactic to improve their playing coordination. However, despite their practice, they continue to clash with each other due to their natural dominant tendencies as singles players. In addition, their rivals use a strategy which takes advantage of Momoshiro and Ryoma's lack of coordination, turning the game into their favor.

With their new strategy, Gyokurin continues to dominate. Irritated, Ryoma and Momoshiro realize that they are truly not suited to be doubles players, and agree to split the court in half. Now they each only have to defend one half of the court and is able to utilize their individual skills. Though strange, it is an effective strategy that wins them the game. However, due to their shameful performance, they still receive punishment from their coach.

Fudomine Middle School, an unknown team that withdrew from last tournament for internal affairs, is Seigaku's next rival. In the first game, Seigaku's Shusuke Fuji and Takashi Kawamura find themselves struggling against the first Fudomine pair, forcing Fuji to use one of his Triple Counters, Tsubame Gaeshi, a technique that causes the ball to roll rather than bounce once it reaches the opponents' side of the court.

Determined to overcome Fuji's skills, Fudomine's Tetsu Ishida tries a desperate measure to seal Fuji's Tsubame Gaeshi by using a hit of considerable strength called Hadokyu. When he aims it directly toward Fuji, Kawamura decides to get in its way when he realizes that Fuji would not be able to return it. Hoverer, though he succeeds in returning it, he hurts his wrist in the process, forcing Seigaku to forfeit the match.

Thanks to Eiji Kikumaru's acrobatics and Shuichiro Oishi's ability to adapt to his partner's style, Seigaku's "Golden Pair" wins their doubles match easily. Next is the game between Kaido and Kamio Akira, where Kaoru's Snake shot turns out to be ineffective against the speed ace from Fudomine. In a moment of desperation, Kaido inadvertently performs a near impossible shot around the net's pole, which is then dubbed the Boomerang Snake.

Kaido desperately tries to recreate the Boomerang Snake, but he eventually stops his attempts when he decides to just play his style of tennis. With neither side yielding, Kamio's and Kaido's game becomes an endurance match. However, in the end, Kaido's willpower and persistence outlasts Kamio's stamina. Also, Momoshiro learns the identity of the girl he has been recently running into, who turns out to be Fudomine's player-coach and Kippei Tachibana's younger sister, An Tachibana.

Nanjiro Echizen finds a letter from Ryuzaki and remembers the days when he trained under her as a Seigaku regular. Meanwhile, Ryoma's opponent, Shinji Ibu, shows his skills when he is able to return Ryoma's Twist Serve, as well as his revealing his own serve, the Kick Serve, which is similar to the Twist Serve. Ryoma then switches to his left hand, and the game heats up between the two player's serves.

Ryoma struggles to resist Ibu's "spot", a technique where Ibu forces Ryoma to hit certain shots that temporarily paralyzes his arm. However, when Ryoma tries to avoid the spot by continuously switching his racket from his left and right hands, the racket gets loose from his grip and it bounces back, hitting his eye. With his eyelid bleeding, it seems impossible for him to continue, but he insists on continuing the match.

Impressed with his determination, Tezuka gives Ryoma ten minutes to finish the game, after which he will forfeit the match. In the end, Ryoma manages to overcome Ibu's "spot" and wins the match right before his alloted time had ended. With Ryoma's win, Seigaku wins the tournament, and after tending to his wounds, the Seigaku regulars celebrate in Kawamura's sushi restaurant.

Due to their recent victories, spies from other schools begin to observe Seigaku's training. When they catch two of the spies spying on them even after school hours, Momoshiro and Ryoma teach the two of them a lesson in a doubles match. When the two spies are only able to score one point against them, they decide to practice their tennis, instead of spying on others.

While Kaido starts his daily training, Momoshiro and Kamio Akira end up playing a doubles match against two Hyotei regulars, Atobe Keigo and Munehiro Kabaji, when the latter two pick on An Tachibana. Meanwhile, Ryoma and Shinji Ibu battle over grip tape by creating a contest in which they catch a pickpocket. Kaido is then unwittingly dragged into the mess when he is suspected of being the thief.

During their new training regimen, Kaido and Oishi are forced to drink Inui's special vegetable juice for losing in their training match, becoming very sick. Then, when Tezuka accidentally drinks all of Inui's juice, Inui is forced to use his "Golden Power Remix Inui Juice" on the loser of the Kikumaru and Ryoma match. When Ryoma fails to win the game within five shots, which was the requirement for him to win, he ends being the one to drink it.

Ryoma is asked by coach Ryuzaki to go to the racket-stringer with Sakuno, whom he constantly ignores, though unknowingly. Curious what Ryoma is up to, Nanjiro decides to follow him, and after seeing the two together, Momoshiro and the freshman trio, spy on the two, believing that that they are on a date. However, Ryoma continues to ignore her and even end up hurting her feelings when she asks about him. In the end, Ryoma tries to make up for it by teaching her some tennis.

Feeling that Ryoma's tennis is a simple copy of his father's, Tezuka asks coach Ryuzaki for permission to play an unofficial match against Ryoma. Before his match, Tezuka and Oishi go to a clinic to check whether or not Tezuka's arm has healed. Though it is healed, the doctor warns him not to play long matches and to not use his drop shot. After finding out he is fine, he meets up with Ryoma. Suspicious of the two's meeting, Oishi decides to follow the pair to see what is really going on.

During their match, in order to convince the latter to aim higher with his own style of tennis, Tezuka risks his re-injuring his arm by going all out in the match, resulting in Ryoma's defeat. Oishi, who was the sole spectator of the Tezuka and Ryoma match, talks to Tezuka about the outcome and its repercussions. The next day at school, the other team members, grow suspicious when Tezuka and Ryoma fail to appear during team practice two days in a row. Meanwhile, Ryoma asks Nanjiro for a match, in which the latter realizes that Ryoma has changed and will now get stronger.

Momoshiro recovers his spirit after a match with Fudomine student and Tachibana's younger sister, An Tachibana, and also with an encounter with two of Hyotei Academy's regulars. Meanwhile, the Golden Pair makes up, and Tezuka is shown refusing Ryuzaki's offer to study abroad in Germany, choosing to stay in order to lead his team to the Nationals.

It`s the first day of the Metropolitans and Echizen has overslept! Horio pretends to be Echizen but is challenged to a match. Their first match goes smoothly, but their second match gives them more trouble than expected... Source: crunchyroll

Seigaku has picked their order for the quarterfinal round against St. Rudolph, and Momoshiro and Kaido have unexpectedly paired in doubles! As the match progresses, it`s clear that St. Rudolph has prepared well. Source: crunchyroll

Mizuki has scouted the Seigaku team and trained St. Rudolph to attack their weaknesses. Momoshiro and Kaido are unable to use their best shots against the agile St. Rudolph team. Will Seigaku be able to overcome this challenge? Source: crunchyroll

When they looked to be down, Seido`s Momoshiro and Kaido are fighting back. Kaido`s Boomerang Snake takes St. Rudolph by surprise, but will it be enough? Then, the #2 Doubles match begins with Kikumaru and Oishi facing St. Rudolph`s Akazawa and Kaneda. Source: crunchyroll

Seigaku`s Golden Pair, Kikumaru and Oishi, are facing St. Rudolph in #2 Doubles. Mizuki`s strategies have nearly exhausted Kikumaru and Seigaku quickly falls behind by two games. But they have a special formation that St. Rudolph isn`t prepared for. Source: crunchyroll

Kikumaru used a few games to recover his stamina and launch a comeback for Seigaku`s Golden Pair. Now they and St. Rudolph are tied three games each, and it`s down to a tiebreaker round. But it`s a hot afternoon and Kikumaru hasn`t fully recovered... Source: crunchyroll

Echizen is up against Yuta Fuji for #3 Singles. After taunting Yuta before the match, Echizen seems fazed by Yuta`s Lefty Killer skills. Can Seigaku`s first year rookie rise to the challenge? Source: crunchyroll

Echizen`s match against St. Rudolph`s Yuta Fuji continues. Down four games to none, Echizen tries a new technique to slide into the ball: the Drive B. Will it be enough to put Seigaku over St. Rudolph? Source: crunchyroll

Fuji is up against Mizuki in the #2 Singles match. Mizuki immediately takes a commanding lead, five games to none. But Fuji isn`t beat yet, and he`s angry about something. How can Seigaku bounce back? Source: crunchyroll

Echizen`s dad tricks him into coaching Tomoka and Sakuno for the day. While practicing, a special ball of Sakuno`s flies into the Ginka Junior High court. The team surrounds her while she looks for the ball, but they may be pulling a dirty trick... Source: crunchyroll

Jin Akutsu shows up at Seigaku`s court and fights with Arai and Kachiro. Echizen intervenes, but Akutsu hits sharp rocks at him and gives him a cut. The Seigaku team begins a tough training regimen, with a severe punishment for those who don`t perform. Source: crunchyroll

After another day of tough training, Coach Ryuzaki announces practice matches for the team. Fuji and Echizen go first. Echizen is shocked by Fuji`s Sun Bear Drop which nullifies any smash, but Echizen is determined to break through somehow. Source: crunchyroll

Seigaku is holding practice matches: Echizen vs Fuji, Momoshiro vs Tezuka, Kaido vs Kawamura, and Oishi vs Kikumaru. A downpour and the matches are canceled, but Echizen and Fuji are still playing despite the rain... Source: crunchyroll

It`s the day of the Metropolitan Tournament finals. Yamabuki is set to play Fudomine, but most of Fudomine`s team is oddly late to arrive. Seigaku will face Ginka, but Ginka seem nervous after their encounter with Echizen. How will the teams fare? Source: crunchyroll

Oishi and Kikumaru, the Golden Pair are in the #1 doubles match against the pair that beat Oishi`s team last year, Minami and Higashikata. They`re confident of a repeat win. Then, the #3 singles match starts with Momoshiro against Yamabuki`s Sengoku. Source: crunchyroll

Momoshiro is up against Sengoku for the #3 singles match against Yamabuki. After an early lead, Momoshiro is surprised by a comeback from Sengoku. Can he see it through? It seems that Momoshiro`s left leg may be bothering him... Source: crunchyroll

Momoshiro`s match against Sengoku continues, but worringly, Momoshiro`s left leg is spasming. He`ll need to figure out a way compensate or Yamabuki will win the match. Shortly after, Echizen will be up against Yamabuki`s fearsome Akutsu... Source: crunchyroll

Echizen`s singles match begins against Yamabuki`s rough character Akutsu. He`s been a troublemaker in tennis from a young age. Echizen manages to surprise Akutsu with his first serve, but can he keep it up? Source: crunchyroll

Echizen looks to be at a disadvantage facing Yamabuki`s Akutsu. When Echizen goes right, he can instantaneously redirect his shot to the left. What can Echizen do to regain his footing? Source: crunchyroll

Echizen faltered and fell behind in his singles match against Yamabuki`s Akutsu. Now he`s figured out a strategy that is helping him make some headway! But Ms. Ryuzaki and Nanjiro know that Coach Banda will have something up his sleeve... Source: crunchyroll

It`s the final stage of Echizen`s match against Yamabuki`s Akutsu. Echizen has reached match point which would make Seigaku the Metropolitan Tournament champions. But Akutsu is taller, wilder and far from backing down. Who will win this decisive match? Source: crunchyroll

Following the Metropolitan Tournament, the team is training when Kirihara from Rikkai wanders in on their practice, causing mayhem to erupt. Meanwhile, Echizen takes on some basketball players who were picking on Horio while he was on cleaning detail. Source: crunchyroll

Seigaku is holding intramural ranking matches to decide who will compete at the Kanto Tournament. The regulars start off with easy wins, but they can`t all go. But Momoshiro is overwhelmed by Inui, showing that the outcome is far from certain. Source: crunchyroll

Inui has never been able to defeat Tezuka in their 20 or 30 matches since they joined the Seigaku tennis club. But today, Inui surprises everyone by showing just how much he himself has grown in his match against Tezuka. Source: crunchyroll

Tezuka and Inui continue their match. Inui comes on strong, but Tezuka displays abilities far beyond that of a middle schooler. The ranking matches are over, but everyone’s concentration is disturbed by the fact that Momoshiro has been missing practice. Source: crunchyroll

An Tachibana joins Momoshiro for some casual street tennis until they’re interrupted by the Hyotei tennis club. Source: crunchyroll

The Seigaku team is in for a surprise when they find out who they’re up against in their first match of the Kanto Tournament. Source: crunchyroll

It`s the first day of the Kanto Tournament, and Seigaku`s first match is against Hyotei, the previous year`s second-place champions. And if that weren`t bad enough, Oishi is missing. What will Seigaku do without half of their best doubles pair? Source: crunchyroll

Momoshiro and Kikumaru make a surprisingly good team, but their opponents are outplaying them at every turn. Seigaku`s spirits sink as their losses mount and their signature moves fail. Does the impromptu pair have any way left to turn the tables? Source: crunchyroll

Continuing on to #1 doubles, Hyotei sends out Shishido and Otori, another formidable pair for Seigaku to face. Source: crunchyroll

Inui and Kaido attempt a comeback against Otori`s seemingly unbeatable serve, but their teamwork starts to break down as they struggle against the formidable Hyotei pair. Source: crunchyroll

Thanks to Kaido`s efforts, Inui has all the data he needs to start a comeback. But will Data Tennis be enough to defeat Shishido and Otori when Seigaku is already down by five games? Source: crunchyroll

#3 singles starts a match-up between powerful players from Seigaku and Hyotei. Who will come out on top? Source: crunchyroll

Neither Kawamura nor Kabaji is backing down as their heated battle for #3 singles continues. Source: crunchyroll

It`s time for #2 singles, and Fuji is facing off against Hyotei`s always sleepy Jiro Akutagawa. Will Fuji score an easy victory against an opponent who seems more interested in a nap, or is there more to Akutagawa than appears? Source: crunchyroll

After losing a game to Jiro Akutagawa`s Magic Volley, Fuji announces that it`s time to use the third and last of his Triple Counters. What kind of technique is it, and will it be enough? Source: crunchyroll

The characters take a break from their usual tennis matches to star in three comical shorts. Source: crunchyroll

All eyes are on #1 singles as Seigaku’s Tezuka plays Hyotei’s Atobe for the first time ever. Source: crunchyroll

#1 singles is shaping up to be a long, drawn-out match. Can Tezuka`s left arm stand up to prolonged play against an opponent as skilled as Atobe? Source: crunchyroll

Tezuka`s grueling match against Atobe continues. Can Tezuka overcome his shoulder injury to defeat Hyotei`s club captain? What will it cost him if he does? Source: crunchyroll

As the long match between Tezuka and Atobe finally comes to an end, Tezuka reminds Echizen of the important responsibility he entrusted to him. Source: crunchyroll

Kachiro has to take action when he sees the upperclassmen’s attitude toward Tezuka’s injury. Source: crunchyroll

There`s a ball game tournament at Seigaku, and the tennis club members are required to play other sports. Ryoma enters the ping-pong competition, but his opponent seems to be nursing a grudge. Source: crunchyroll

Momoshiro gets an invitation from An Tachibana and drags Ryoma along for the ride. Is it a date, and if so, with who? Source: crunchyroll

The members of the Seigaku tennis club are off from school today. For some reason, a few kids at the park mistaken Kaido for Echizen. Source: crunchyroll

Tezuka has been absent from practice due to his injury and Oishi gets everyone together to do something special. Source: crunchyroll

The Seigaku tennis club is reeling at the news of Tezuka`s departure. Everyone is surprised to see Tezuka make a farewell visit to the court and even more surprised when he issues a challenge. Source: crunchyroll

In his farewell match against Ryoma, Tezuka reaches new heights playing right-handed. Is victory against Tezuka still out of Ryoma`s reach, even with a handicap on his side? Source: crunchyroll

The second match of the Kanto Tournament is approaching, and Seigaku`s opponent is Josei Shonan Junior High a school known for its cutting-edge training methods. Source: crunchyroll

Momoshiro and Inui are up against twin players from Josei Shonan in #2 doubles. Can Momoshiro control his quick temper and be a team player? Source: crunchyroll

Seigaku`s Golden Pair faces off against Josei Shonan`s largest and smallest players in #1 doubles. Will Oishi`s return to the court be enough to overcome their shocking team play? Source: crunchyroll

The intense #1 doubles match continues, but Seigaku’s Golden Pair has a long and challenging game ahead of them. Source: crunchyroll

Kaido is up against the flashy Hiroshi Wakato of Josei Shonan in #3 singles. Will Kaido’s Snake be enough to beat this cunning opponent? Source: crunchyroll

Wakato copies the style of one famous pro player after another and pushes Kaido to his limit. Will Kaido`s personal style be enough against an opponent who changes to counter his every move? Source: crunchyroll

#3 singles continues into a 12-point tiebreak as Kaido faces his toughest opponent yet: himself! How will Kaido play against Wakato`s perfect copy of his own signature shot? Source: crunchyroll

Ryoma faces off against Josei Shonan`s enigmatic Reiji Shinjo. At first glance, Shinjo`s play looks average at best, but is there more to his shots than meets the eye? Source: crunchyroll

Shinjo begins to show his true colors in his match against Echizen. How will Echizen respond to Shinjo’s relentless attacks? Source: crunchyroll

Echizen’s match with Shinjo comes to a close after a long and treacherous battle. Source: crunchyroll

It`s the last quarterfinal of the Kanto Tournament, and Fudomine is up against Yamabuki, the #3 seed. Fudomine is just one win away from a shocking upset and a spot at Nationals. Can "Speed Ace" Kamio pull it off? Source: crunchyroll

The cast takes a break from the action to star in two comical shorts. First, young Ryoma sets out for the capital and has a series of strange encounters. Then, Inui`s glasses are missing, and only the Seishun PD can solve the case. Source: crunchyroll

Seigaku has made the Kanto Tournament best four, and Ryuzaki takes the regulars bowling to celebrate. Source: crunchyroll

Dan joins the Seigaku tennis club’s practice for the day and gets to play a match with Echizen. Source: crunchyroll

The Seigaku tennis club heads to the beach to train but find themselves waiting tables after losing their hotel voucher. Source: crunchyroll

A chance meeting introduces the Seigaku regulars to their next opponents from Rokkaku Junior High. What will happen when Rokkaku`s unorthodox young captain challenges Ryoma to a friendly game? Source: crunchyroll

The Kanto Tournament semifinals kick off with a doubles match between Seigaku`s Momoshiro and Kawamura and Rokkaku`s Kurobane and Amane. Source: crunchyroll

#2 doubles continues as Momoshiro and Kawamura challenge Kurobane and Amane head-on with power tennis. Source: crunchyroll

The Kanto Tournament semifinals continues to #1 doubles with Kikumaru and Fuji versus Saeki and Itsuki of Rokkaku. Source: crunchyroll

#1 doubles continues as Fuji is forced to compensate for a winded Kikumaru. Does even a genius stand a chance playing two-against-one? Source: crunchyroll

It`s time for Ryoma`s rematch with Aoi, Rokkaku`s captain. A win means victory for Seigaku, but what can Ryoma do against an opponent who overwhelmed him so completely in a practice match? Source: crunchyroll

#3 singles resumes with the game count tied 4-4. Can Ryoma overcome the passionate Aoi and win the match for Seigaku? Source: crunchyroll

Seigaku decides to celebrate qualifying for the Kanto Tournament finals with another recreation tournament. This time, they’re playing billiards. Source: crunchyroll

Echizen finds a beat-up racket in front of his house one day, and whoever holds it seems to have an unlucky encounter. Source: crunchyroll

As the finals of the Kanto Tournament loom closer, Oishi struggles with the pressure of his role as acting captain. Source: crunchyroll