Return to 2002: Freestyle Superstar

Chapter 191 At the age of seventeen, Nadal stood like a follower

Chen Ran also quietly observed Federer's record in the Monte Carlo Masters, which was only the second round.

But he is very sure that this is by no means Federer's true strength on clay courts.

Switching from hard courts to clay courts requires an adaptation process.

It is very common among top players to use a few of these tournaments, even the Masters, to find their form.

In the original time and space, Federer's record on clay courts was slightly inferior, which was also compared with giant players such as Nadal and Djokovic.Even for players like Djokovic, it was only after Federer retired that he achieved a lead in the French Open.

But compared to most first-class players, Federer's record on clay courts is still very outstanding.

In this Madrid Masters, Federer, like Chen Ran, is also a star player promoted by the organizing committee.

Especially after Agassi and Hewitt retired, Federer and Chen Ran are considered second-tier players after Ferrero.

While the attention of the Spanish media was focused on the local darling, now the world's number one Ferrero, Chen Ran saw a name that impressed him deeply on the draw sheet for the Madrid Masters - Nadal!

Nadal turned professional at almost the same time as Chen Ran, both in 2002, but currently they mainly focus on low-level challenges.

In fact, the so-called dividing point between amateur players and professional players is very vague.

Generally speaking, when you participate in the ATP Challenger Tour, it means that you are already a professional player.

There are also American NCAA players. Even if you participate in the ATP Challenger Tour or even the Tour, as long as you play in the NCAA for a day, you cannot receive professional competition bonuses and can only temporarily deposit them in your ATP or WTA account.

When you decide not to participate in the NCAA, it means you are already a professional player.

However, if a player plays in the ATP Challenger League all year round, he will not be able to pay his own way, so you have to find a part-time job while playing.

Nadal, who is currently less than 17 years old, is also involved in low-level challenges.

However, Nadal does not need to work part-time outside to meet the expenses of training and competition for the time being.

Generally speaking, companies will sponsor young talents like this who can start a career even before they are young, which is considered an investment in your potential.

Only when you are 20 years old and still hanging around in low-level leagues do you need to consider finding a part-time job to make extra money.

"Nadal got the wild card in the qualifying round, and then won two games in a row to lock in a spot in the main draw." Chen Ran looked up some information about Nadal.

Chen Ran knows Nadal quite well about this giant player who was born in the same year as himself.

In Chen Ran's memory, Nadal's first Grand Slam was the French Open in 2005, but Nadal actually began to show his prominence in 2004.

Nadal's first trophy was the runner-up at the Auckland Open in January 2004, when he was only 1 and a half years old.

Isn't this a coincidence?Chen Ran's first trophy was also the Auckland Open, but he was the champion a year earlier than Nadal.

"But Nadal in 86 has already entered the tour stage, so is Djokovic in 87 still far behind?"

"By the way, there's Wawrinka in 85, and Murray in 87."

These two guys were able to win three Grand Slams respectively in the era dominated by the Big Three, and their strength must not be underestimated.

Especially Murray, who also holds two Olympic gold medals, was once known as the fourth giant.

At this moment, Murray and Djokovic are mostly still involved in youth competitions, while Wawrinka signed up for the qualifying rounds of the Madrid Masters, but was not as lucky as Nadal to break into the main draw.

At least so far, Chen Ran is undoubtedly the leader of players born after 85.

So in the next few days, Chen Ran followed Zhang Depei to train on the clay court.

This is his first time training and competing in Europe.

……

Although both Agassi and Hewitt are absent from the Madrid Masters this time, the draw is still full of stars and a lot to watch.

Every year's clay court season is an excellent opportunity for European and South American players to score points and gain glory.

In fact, with the recent Sunshine Double Match, many people in the industry have realized that it is not just players born in the 80s who want to seize power, but players born in the 85s have also begun to show their prominence.

This time in the Madrid Masters, two players born after 85 appeared, Chen Ran and Nadal.

When the player representatives attended the press conference, Chen Ran, the winner of the "Sunshine Double Crown", received too much media attention. His popularity may be second only to Spain's No. 1 Ferrero, and even better than Federer by a few points.

Spain currently has three tennis kings: Ferrero, Costa and Moya.

Ferrero is this year's Australian Open champion, Costa was last year's French Open champion, and Moya was the 1998 French Open champion.

If in this era, Americans are the kings of hard courts and grass courts, then the king of clay courts is undoubtedly the Spanish.

Nadal, the future king of clay, regards the French Open as his own backyard.

In this media conference, there is no doubt that the three Spanish players playing locally occupy the central C position.Chen Ran quietly paid attention to these three guys. In fact, he only had a little impression of Ferrero.

After all, in his previous life, he only started to really pay attention to tennis after he went to college in 2005. The names of Costa and Moya are already somewhat unfamiliar to him.

"I hope I can play against Chen Ran."

Facing the criticism from various reporters, Ferrero smiled and talked: "I originally thought I would have a chance to play against Chen Ran in Barcelona or Monte Carlo, but I didn't expect that he didn't even sign up to participate."

"Of course I understand this very well. After achieving the great achievement of the 'Sunshine Double', you should indeed arrange a holiday for yourself."

Since losing the final in Indian Wells, he is very eager to compete with Chen Ran again.

The "clay court" is my world, there should be a chance for revenge this time, right?
However, what shocked Ferrero was that Chen Ran only signed up for the Madrid Masters and the Rome Masters before the French Open.

Is this kid so confident in his ability on the clay court that he didn't even sign up for a 500 or 250 tournament?

This year is obviously his first time participating in a clay court competition!

"Mr. Chen Ran, you are very welcome to Madrid." A Spanish reporter had to ask in slightly broken English, "May I ask what your expectations are for this clay court season and what results you expect to achieve."

Many people pointed their cameras and cameras at Chen Ran.

These European reporters were really surprised that a player from Asia and China could win the "Sunshine Double" in the same year.

"Yes, this is my first clay court match. I haven't even trained on clay courts before."

Surrounded by many reporters, Chen Ran behaved very modestly: "As for my goal... I hope that I can win one game each in Madrid, Rome, and Paris, and that will be considered as achieving my goal."

"I'm still young and there will be many opportunities in the future."

Win one game each?That's pretty humbling, even if you've never played on clay.

"Mr. Chen, such a goal is not consistent with the identity of the winner of the 'Sunshine Double Crown'." An American reporter said sourly.

In the eyes of arrogant Americans, the honor of the "Sunshine Double" is no less than a Grand Slam, but your goal is just to win?
"Because even if I only win one game, my points will still increase, and my ranking will at least remain unchanged." Chen Ran said in a joking tone, "After all, I am still adapting to clay courts, and... The characteristic of us Chinese people is humility."

Are you a humble person?
You are a cunning person!
American reporters looked at Chen Ran's smile and always felt it was too hypocritical.

In comparison, Yao Ming is much more sincere than you!
However, Chen Ran was right about one thing. He was not under pressure to deduct points.

At the beginning of June, Chen Ran will deduct 6 points from last year’s ITF10K Hope Championship championship points.

But to today's Chen Ran, what does a mere 18 points mean?Just scratch an itch.

After the press conference, the enthusiastic Ferrero came over and called Chen Ran. After shaking hands with him, he smiled and said: "Chen, let me introduce you to a guy who is the best player among our young generation in Spain." .”

"By the way, he was born in the same year as you, and is two months older than you."

"You should have a lot in common."

After all the talk, how could Chen Ran still not guess who the other party was?

"Raphael, come here!" Ferrero waved.

At this time, Chen Ran realized that there was a very young boy standing not far away. He was about the same height as himself. He looked a bit shy and very reserved.

Is he Nadal?

Thick eyebrows, a big nose, very obvious features, and a signature middle-parted hairstyle.

Chen Ran found that the boy in front of him was somewhat different from Nadal in his memory and in the simulated training ground.

Today, Nadal is just an ignorant boy who has just entered professional tennis, feeling fresh and curious about everything around him.

"Hello Chen Ran!" Nadal smiled shyly, "I watched the Australian Open and Sunshine Double Match, and your performance was great."

The Chinese in front of me is still a few months younger than me, but she is already the semi-finalist of the Australian Open and has won the Sunshine Double Crown. This honor is enough for me to look up to.

Nadal, who has always been very confident in himself, found that the gap between himself and Chen Ran of the same age is really huge.

"Hello, Rafael!" Chen Ran was very friendly, without any airs, "We players born after 85 should also step onto the professional tennis stage."

He also joked with Ferrero: "Juan, you Spaniards are the kings of clay courts. Since you are so optimistic about Nadal, I believe he will take over your Spaniards' crown on clay courts in the future."

"Haha... Chen, you are so good at talking. You must be trying to make Rafael proud and complacent on purpose."

While Ferrero and Chen Ran were chatting and laughing, Nadal, who was only seventeen years old, stood quietly aside, like a minion beside his elder brother.

……

(End of this chapter)