Return to 2002: Freestyle Superstar

Chapter 190 Madrid, the clay court season begins! (Three updates completed)
Madrid, Spain.

If you ask people around the world, what’s the first thing that comes to mind when they think of Madrid?There is no doubt that it is football, Real Madrid, and the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium that fascinates countless football players.

In 2003, Real Madrid had already formed the first phase of the Galaxy Battleship, which brought together top football superstars such as Ronaldo, Zidane, Raul, Figo, Carlos, etc.

If the original timeline is followed, this summer, the super-popular football superstar Beckham will also officially join Real Madrid.

Then they will start a trip to Asia, going to China, Xiaori, South Korea and other places to harvest euros crazily.

There is no doubt that Real Madrid is the pride and symbol of this city.

When Chen Ran walked out of Madrid International Airport, he immediately felt the city's strong football atmosphere and the bright sunshine.

Later generations of Chinese people described Spain as the Sanya of Europe!
Because Spain has the longest sunshine in a year on the continent of Europe, people living here can enjoy singing and dancing in the sun.

In the streets and alleys, all kinds of food, wine, and beautiful people and beautiful scenery make people linger.

Many people from high latitudes in Europe, especially those from countries with less sunshine and cooler temperatures, like to go to Spain for vacation, just like people from the northern provinces of China like to go to Sanya.

In Spain, a land of unrestrained, optimistic and free people, people's enthusiasm for competitive sports is unreserved.

Nike has deep connections. The driver they sent to pick up Chen Ran could tell at a glance that he was a senior tour guide. He had a chubby appearance, Mediterranean hair, and a round beer belly. Smiling from ear to ear.

He introduced the city of Madrid, its past and present, to Chen Ran very enthusiastically.

Of course, while chatting, this uncle brought the topic to his favorite team - Atletico Madrid.

At this time, Chen Ran suddenly realized.

Yes, in addition to Real Madrid, the city of Madrid also has a long-standing reputation for Atletico Madrid. The two teams are mortal enemies of each other.

Real Madrid fans are wealthy people from the middle class and above, while Atletico Madrid fans are mainly workers.

"Also, you have to believe that Madrid is the liveliest city in the world."

"Whether it's morning or night, midnight or dawn, it's always buzzing."

I have heard for a long time that the Spanish nightlife is extremely rich, and it seems that it is well-deserved.

After listening to the enthusiastic uncle driver's nagging, Chen Ran couldn't help but rub his ears when he got off the car, and couldn't wait to check into the hotel arranged by the organizing committee.

When night falls slowly, the city really glows with vitality.

The street lights on the street lit up one after another, and the city began to enter night mode.

Then, Chen Ran saw a scene that surprised him.

Many shops are closing one after another, but the crowds on the streets can be seen gradually increasing.

At the same time, the taverns and coffee houses became very lively, and even in the small square, you could see bustling people sitting on the steps.

No wonder Ferrero told Chen Ran before that a day in Spain starts at nine o'clock in the evening, because the city here does not officially wake up until night.

The daytime belongs to foreign tourists, and the night belongs to Spaniards.

After dinner, Chen Ran took a bodyguard and wandered around the city of Madrid under the leadership of the tour guide and driver.

Although Spain's economic level is far inferior to that of the United States, its public security is much better than that of the United States.

But what surprised Chen Ran was that there were so many bars in this city.

For example, in a small alley not far away, there are more than a dozen bars densely packed.

There are scattered customers standing at the door of every bar, each holding a bottle of beer and chatting happily at the door.

The city was really lively, and the foreign feeling also brought some freshness to Chen Ran, but after wandering around for a while, he decisively returned to the hotel.

Because the Spanish girls were too unrestrained and enthusiastic, Chen Ran was worried that if he continued shopping, he might not be able to control his restless heart, and then step into the bar uncontrollably.

"coach!"

Chen Ran always felt that he had forgotten something, but now he finally remembered: "Coach, who is the winner of the Monte Carlo Masters?"

"Ah?" Zhang Depei looked at Chen Ran in shock, "Don't you pay attention?"

Today is the first time Chen Ran and Zhang Depei have met after being separated for a while.

After the Miami Masters, Chen Ran took a long vacation, while Zhang Depei also stayed in the United States to rest.

In late April, Zhang Depei took a plane directly from the United States to Spain.

Frankly speaking, Zhang Depei's first coaching trip was relaxing and enjoyable.

Chen Ran's stable performance and excellent ability to earn points have allowed him to play fewer low-level tournaments, and also freed Zhang Depei from having to follow him all the time.

"Haha, I haven't even touched a tennis racket during the past few days in China..." Chen Ran spread his hands and was very candid.

It is true that I have never touched a tennis racket in the real world. I have only practiced a few times on the clay court in the system.

"It seems that you have completely relaxed during this period. I am a little worried about whether you can regain your form during the clay court season." Zhang Depei suddenly regretted it. If he had known this, he should have followed Chen Ran to China.

This kid just gave himself a paid vacation, just so that no one can take care of him, so he can let himself go completely, right?

"Is it because the money came so quickly that Chen Ran lost the urgency to continue chasing the championship?" Zhang Depei thought silently in his heart.

He had to admit that deep down he was envious of Chen Ran.Because of Chen Ran's identity as a Chinese, countless merchants flocked to him and lined up to visit him with large sums of money.

For example, Chen Ran's current endorsement fees may have exceeded Zhang Depei's entire career advertising income.

An Australian Open semi-finalist and two Masters champions can earn such an astonishing income. It is simply unimaginable to win another Grand Slam.

"I must arrange a training plan for you so that you can find the state of the game as soon as possible!" Zhang Depei looked serious.

"That's no problem. But..." Chen Ran changed the subject, "Coach, you haven't told me who the winner of the Monte Carlo Masters is?"

As for who is the winner of the Barcelona Open?Chen Ran didn't care.

"Your opponent in the Indian Wells final, Ferrero," Zhang Depei said patiently, "through his outstanding performance in the clay court season, he has firmly established himself as the world's No. [-] player."

This guy Ferrero...

It was indeed a wise move for him to give up the Miami Masters and prepare directly for the clay court season.

This clay court is where Ferrero is most at home.

"He should have been the champion of this French Open, but he also took away the Australian Open championship that belonged to Agassi." Chen Ran muttered in his heart.

Zhang Depei continued: "Tell you two good news. You are listed as the No. 6 seed in the Madrid Masters. The other is that your world ranking has improved by one place."

This means that Chen Ran's world ranking has risen to eighth.

He has been lying at home for almost a month, and his ranking has not declined but improved. This is the benefit of no points deduction.

After the Monte Carlo Masters, someone will definitely be deducted from last year’s huge points.

"Several top-ranked players have withdrawn from the Madrid Masters."

Unlike Chen Ran, Zhang Depei always pays attention to ATP news.

"who is it?"

"Hewitt quits, Agassi quits too!"

Chen Ran is ranked eighth in the world. Now two more high-ranking players have withdrawn, making him directly become the No. 6 seed.

"So I also got a bye in the first round?" Chen Ran immediately thought of this.

Zhang Depei nodded affirmatively.

In the 56-draw Masters, the top eight seeds can enjoy a first-round bye.

This means that if the top 8 seeds want to win the championship, they only need to win 5 games.

"Coach..." Chen Ran pulled up a chair and sat down with a serious look on his face, "As you know, the Clay Masters is different from the Sunshine Double."

Zhang Depei also nodded seriously: "Of course I understand."

Only the sunshine doubleheader in March is not a warm-up for any Grand Slam.

Even the Magic City Masters and Paris Masters in October can be regarded as a warm-up for the year-end finals.

"The Rome Masters and the French Open are too close." Chen Ran said word for word, very seriously, "Of course, I will go all out for the Madrid Masters."

"You mean..." Zhang Depei pondered for a while, with a look of confusion on his face, "The French Open is your first clay court Grand Slam, and you may have met 100 Latin American players in the first round. , they may all be clay court masters.”

"You should know the risks involved..."

The implication is that on the special clay court of the French Open, even players ranked more than 100 may defeat you. This is not even an upset.

Latin American players have been playing on clay courts since childhood.

Not to mention those ranked over 100, even those ranked over 200 may overturn the top 10 players.

Chen Ran also considered this possibility.

Although he is confident in his ability on clay courts, it is indeed impossible to rule out this possibility.

"If you have a chance to achieve good results at the Rome Masters, you should still go for it. After all, the result of the French Open is unknown." Zhang Depei said with some worry.

There was something he didn't say directly.

If your French Open is in the first or second round, it would be unwise to give up the Rome Masters for this reason.

But Chen Ran's idea remained firm and did not waver at all.

"No, my goal is still the French Open!"

"I have to be in the best condition to participate in the French Open!"

"I won't regret it!"

"Even if I miss the first round of the French Open, I won't regret my choice."

So the Rome Masters is just a formality, even if the draw is very good.

……

(End of this chapter)