Nanjiro Echizen is the father of the series protagonist Ryoma Echizen. He is also known as Samurai Nanjiro due to his invincible tennis skills during his earlier years as a professional tennis player. During his Junior high years, he was trained by the current coach of the Seigaku Tennis Club, Sumire Ryuzaki. After leaving Japan and going pro, he remained undefeated and was only one more opponent away to earning a Grand Slam title before he unexpectedly decided to retire.