Return to 2002: Freestyle Superstar

Chapter 220 Post-game turmoil, the American reporter causing trouble

"The French Open semi-finals, the Roland Garros semi-finals!"

"Chen Ran entered the semi-finals in two consecutive Grand Slam competitions!"

"This is a new history for Chinese tennis and a new history for Asian tennis!"

In the C5 Sports live broadcast room, Zhan Jun roared excitedly.

"The most important thing is that Chen Ran is in very good physical condition this time. We can look forward to him taking further steps."

One step further and it’s the finals!

Who is Chen Ran's opponent in the next round?

Still a Spaniard and former French Open champion Moya.

In the history of the French Open, we met the former French Open champion in the quarter-finals and semi-finals. Is God hinting at something?
Chen Ran did not cheer and celebrate, but stood there breathing heavily and quietly experiencing this moment.

He could clearly feel his heartbeat. From being extremely excited just now, he was slowly calming down now.

I've been to the semi-finals of a Grand Slam before, so this is not new history.

Pick yourself up and get ready for the next one.

Chen Ran walked slowly to the net and shook hands with Costa.

Although there were some controversies during the game, when the game ended, all the problems remained on the court.

"Wonderful game, I wish you good luck in the next one." Costa said lightly.

There was a hint of finality on his face.

Compared with Ferrero, as a former French Open champion, Costa is actually very biased. His performance on other types of courts has been very mediocre. Clay courts are his only chance.

After losing the French Open, Costa didn't have much hope for the rest of the season.

He can only hope that in next year's clay court season, he can still be in the same competitive state as he was in today's game.

As for the Chinese boy in front of him, it can only be said that he has a bright future.

The losers pack their bags and leave the court dejected, while the winners stay on the court and enjoy the cheers of the audience.

Competitive sports are cruel.

The applause of the 1 spectators came from all directions, like a rolling wave, overwhelming.

When you beat the defending champion of the French Open, you deserve to enjoy the cheers from the audience.

As soon as Chen Ran passed the media box, he was grabbed by an excited CCTV reporter for an interview.

"Hey, when you reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open last time, you could hardly walk. We regretfully missed such a historic moment."

"What about today? You have once again reached the semi-finals of a Grand Slam tournament. You should have no regrets anymore."

Chen Ran also recognized this CCTV reporter. She was not from C5 Sports, but from C1 Comprehensive News Channel.

This is enough to show that the national level attaches great importance to Chen Ran's trip to the French Open.

"Okay, what do you want to ask?" Chen Ran stopped and smiled, his tone calm and relaxed.

Although he felt a little tired, it was still easy to play another set.

"First of all, on behalf of the national audience, we congratulate you on reaching the semifinals. How do you feel now?"

Chen Ran looked up at the elder brother holding the camera and asked, "Is this a live broadcast?"

"Yes, live. I believe many viewers are still watching the TV broadcast at this moment."

"I'm in a good mood. But..." Chen Ran paused slightly, "I think I shouldn't be too excited, the game is not over yet. I have never stood on the stage of a Grand Slam semi-final, so What would it feel like?”

"I missed the semi-finals of the last Australian Open due to injury. Is it a pity?"

Chen Ran thought seriously for a while and replied: "No, no, no, I always thought that my first Grand Slam trip was perfect, and the semi-final results have exceeded my expectations. Besides, injuries are also part of competitive sports. I It should be accepted calmly.”

Facing hundreds of millions of viewers across the country, Chen Ran's open-minded attitude moved countless people.

"Of course, my expectations for this French Open will be higher." He smiled at the camera.

"How would you rate your opponent in the next round, the famous Spanish player Moya? He eliminated the tennis king Agassi."

"I have always believed that a Spanish player's strength will be enhanced when he comes to a clay court. Moya is also a former French Open champion. There is no doubt that he is much better than me, so I appear as a challenger."

As always, Chen Ran was very humble when evaluating his opponents.

Remember, never provoke someone into action.

Players of this level are very difficult to deal with once they are hit.

As Djokovic said in his previous life, the strength gap between the world's No. 1 and No. 100 players is actually not as big as you think.

However, the CCTV reporter was a little surprised. Are you too low-key?

"Then in the next game, do you have anything to say to the national audience?"

"The French Open will not be too late, and there is no need to stay up late. I hope everyone can come and cheer for me!"

As Chen Ran was about to leave, several entertainment reporters wanted to interview him, and they even had a bit of a trouble-making mentality.

"Chen Ran, have you ever thought about developing a career in the entertainment industry? After all, you are now more popular than many entertainment stars?"

Chen Ran turned around and looked at the paparazzi who had "I'm going to cause trouble" written all over his face: "Now? Do you think I have time?" "What about after retirement?"

"Retirement? Why should I think about something so far away?"

"How old do you want to be?"

"Set a small goal, let's be 35!"

As soon as this statement came out, there was a huge commotion in the crowd, whether it was the sports reporters who came to interview or the entertainment reporters who came to join in the fun.

You must know that Sampras retired at the age of 31, Zhang Depei also retired at the age of 30, and the 33-year-old Agassi's condition has declined significantly. Many top players in professional tennis began to decline seriously before they were 30 years old.

Play until the age of 35?What are you kidding!
After the commotion, a group of people showed disbelief.

"I'm only 17 years old now... so why should I consider retiring after 18 years?" Chen Ran left after leaving these words, leaving a group of reporters looking at each other.

The entertainment reporter who just asked the question originally wanted to ask, "Are you planning to enter the entertainment industry after you turn 35?" But he was so shocked that he forgot to ask.

Very good, we have created a topical news.

It is estimated that soon, there will be a big discussion among the people: How old can Chen Ran fight?
As for the post-match press conference, those foreign reporters can only ask meaningless questions, especially those from BBC, CNN, etc., and will also deliberately set some traps for you to trick you deliberately.

Chen Ran was very vigilant and insisted that he was not the favorite to win.

“It’s their business how the organizing committee arranges the games, I don’t care.”

"I never considered myself a favorite."

"I think my true strength on clay courts should be around the top [-] of the French Open."

“It’s luck that I’ve gotten to this point.”

"Moya is a Grand Slam champion. I respect him very much and will play with a challenger's mentality."

Chen Ran's speech was impeccable and did not give any chance to Western reporters who wanted to stir up trouble.

"Chen Ran, do you think you are now the most famous among Chinese athletes? Have you surpassed those Olympic champions?" The reporter from Reuters was determined to dig a hole for Chen Ran.

I’m from 2023. I’ve seen too many of your routines.

"You are optimistic. I am just a small athlete in the [-]th tier in China, just like my hometown is an [-]th tier county."

Many reporters laughed because of Chen Ran's humorous self-deprecation.

But the Reuters reporter started to get serious because he didn't get the answer he wanted. He had never seen such a difficult Chinese athlete.

In the past, Chinese athletes could not hold back a few words after being asked for a long time. These Western reporters wrote articles after they returned home. They were numb and ruthless sports machines.

But Chen Ran is obviously much more active, but he is too cunning.

How should I write about you?This Chinese athlete is dishonest and loves to lie?
"Chen, are you kidding?"

"You were the one who joked first!"

"Why am I kidding?"

"I have become the most famous athlete in China without even having a world championship. How much do you look down on our Chinese sports? Well... the world champions in tennis should be the four Grand Slams."

The Reuters reporter was completely at a disadvantage in this confrontation and was unable to refute.

"At least you can reach the semi-finals at Roland Garros, which is a huge breakthrough. And tennis is a sport that attracts global attention..."

"Yes! This is like an American table tennis player reaching the semi-finals of the World Championships. This is also a breakthrough." Chen Ran shrugged, smiled indifferently, and added: "table tennis and tennis. We Chinese people are starting to shine in tennis, and we also hope to see American athletes in table tennis as soon as possible."

“Sports are equal, aren’t they?”

No matter what you are thinking, there are some words that you cannot say out loud.

In other words, fans can say it, but players cannot say it publicly.

For example, football fans can say that football is the number one sport in the world and look down on other sports.

But if a football player shows such disdain for other sports, he will definitely be scolded by athletes from other sports.

Chen Ran grasped this mentality and gained the upper hand in the confrontation with American reporters.

This arrogant American reporter actually doesn't care at all about the sport of table tennis, and even looks down upon it.

But in any case, a reporter would not dare to express this view openly. At least on the surface, all sports are equal.

"Yes, you are right." The reporter smiled awkwardly, "I hope our country's table tennis team can also enter the semi-finals as soon as possible."

After all, the United States also has a table tennis team.

If this reporter dares to speak rudely or speak arrogantly, people will immediately protest.

No one wants their sport to be insulted.

Especially those American athletes, who have no institutional guarantees and must face cruel competition, cannot get rid of the sand in their eyes.

Just like in later generations, some experts will always say that e-sports is just a game, not a sport. Many e-sports practitioners will immediately jump out to refute it, because it is their own job and they do not allow others to slander them.

Chen Ran faced the American reporter and once again ended the interview as a winner.

……

(End of this chapter)