Match point

"At this moment, I don't want to talk about the game or me, I want to talk about Madi, this is his moment."

Roar!
The entire Arthur Ashe Stadium burst into thunderous applause, cheering for Gawain's first words.

Gao Wen, do what you say——

He is a supporting role, he is a green leaf, today's spotlight should belong to Fish.A win is a win, but there's more to this game than just a win.

"Uh, sorry, I'm not good at situations like this, and I don't want to ruin Maddy's moment."

"Actually, Jim, would it be a better choice if I chose to leave now and leave the spotlight to Maddy? After all, I really don't know him."

what!
There was a burst of low laughter at the scene, including Fish—

Gawain was serious. He and Fish did not know each other. Pretending to be good friends at this moment would be hypocritical and unnecessary.

Gawain shrugged slightly.

"Hey, Andy, this was supposed to be your place, but I think Madi didn't forget about the wedding."

Haha, hahaha!

The whole place burst into laughter.

Those fans who are familiar with Roddick and Fish know that these two people are good friends and best friends, but when Fish got married in 2008, Roddick was absent.

Because on the wedding day, Roddick was competing for the championship trophy in the Imperial City.

As a result, the best man became James Blake, another iconic figure in American men's tennis.

Today, Blake showed up, and Roddick also showed up. They were sitting in the news media seats, preparing to send flowers to Fish at the end.

Without warning, Roddick's back was full of arrows, he was caught off guard, and he spread his hands innocently to show that he didn't know.

Arthur Ashe Stadium was full of laughter and whistles.

Fish couldn't hold it back and burst out laughing.

After the game, Fish calmed down, without sadness or reluctance. He sat quietly in the dugout and enjoyed the moment.

Staring at Gao Wen, the corners of Fish's mouth turned up.

"What I'm trying to say is, Madi, you had your moment, you left your talent, your ability, your talent, your personality on this field and I'm not sure if it will live on forever, but There is no doubt that tennis has been enriched by having you, and it is an honor for us."

Light and clever, wise and witty.

Gawain's words easily won applause from the Arthur Ashe Stadium. He did not exaggerate Fish's career achievements, nor did he respond perfunctorily with polite greetings. From here, it can be seen that Gawain has really thought about it seriously. , how should we face this game today.

"I still remember Cincinnati in 2010, you beat one Andy, beat another Andy, and entered the final; facing Roger on the final stage, you were so focused and devoted, a wonderful strike One after another, even Roger gave you a round of applause.”

"Yes, you lost that final and you were two points away from the title. That was a defeat."

“But I wanted to celebrate that loss.”

"Because in the world of competitive sports, there is only one champion and only one number one in the world. However, this is not everything."

"It shouldn't be all."

"While people firmly remember the winner, they should never forget that opposite the wonderful victory, there is an opponent who never gives up and fights to the end."

"In some people's eyes, that's a loss, but in my eyes, that's the most beautiful, precious and essential part of competitive sports."

"It's the same today."

"You came, you witnessed, you fought to the end, you held nothing back, and finally turned around and left with your head held high. I hope to be able to look up at your back."

boom!
Boom boom boom!
The audience burst into thunderous applause, and the applause kept rising.Arthur Ashe Stadium could no longer control itself, and you could even see the bustling audience standing on their feet, united in a dark mass.

Slowly, the whistles, cheers and roars all disappeared, and in the end there was only applause. Just applause, but it was enough.

The mighty thunder roared throughout the whole place, and it could not be calmed down for a long time.

On the edge of the court, Roddick and Blake also stood up.

Roddick thought he could be calm and even complain about Fish. After suffering a heart disease in 2012, Fish persisted for three more years, refusing to compromise or surrender, but in the end he stopped. In the final analysis, it's not much different from what he was back then.

However, the surge of emotions was ultimately difficult to control, and Roddick still couldn't hold it back. His eyes turned slightly red and he clapped his hands vigorously.

today.now.

They gave applause to a "loser", not pity or sympathy, but to praise the other side of competitive sports, the side that has been ignored, underestimated, slandered and belittled but always indispensable.

There is only one champion, but every one of the thousands of people who attack and fight for the championship is amazing. Without their existence, the championship itself will be meaningless.

Roaring, constantly.

Fish just sat quietly in the players' dugout, looking up at the sea of ​​applause in front of him——

He once imagined such a scene in his mind.

He thought he would be regretful, bitter, disappointed, ashamed and awkward, because he didn't think he was worthy of it all.

He can only be regarded as a pretty good tennis player, not outstanding, let alone top. Not to mention the Masters or Grand Slam champion, he has not even been able to break into the semi-finals in Flushing, where he is best, once nothing.

He had a second chance in 2012, when he reached the top [-] and would challenge Federer next.

But eventually, he quit the game, just on his way to the arena, because the anxiety began to consume him, growing more urgent and turbulent.

He told his wife at the time that he wanted to quit racing because that was the only option to continue to survive.

He will never have the chance to know the result of his challenge to Federer again, and he will never have the chance to reach the semi-finals of a Grand Slam.

Perhaps, it was because of that regret that he kept insisting, fighting, and working hard, and he still wanted to give it a try.

However, the ending is still the same after all. In the end, everything is in vain.

From a professional player's perspective, he had an ordinary career, with nothing memorable or commendable.

Retirement ceremony?
He didn't think he deserved a ceremony.

But now, looking at the turbulent sea of ​​people in front of him, Fish's mind slowly calmed down.

Suddenly, he realized——

The past three years have not been in vain.

It was an explanation for himself, and it was also a final summary of his career. Despite many disasters, lack of bright spots, and mediocrity, he tried his best.

He fought hard, he fought, and he held nothing back.

three years?

worth it.

As Gawain said, he came and he witnessed... Although there was no conquest, it was still a magnificent career.At the end of the day, he could turn around and leave with no regrets.

Thinking of this, the smile on the corner of his mouth rose up. He was so happy and so bright, but why did the tears in his eyes blur his vision again?
Looking at Gawain bathed in the sun, Fish felt like a madman, crying and laughing, with tears blooming proudly in his smile.