Return to 2002: Freestyle Superstar

Chapter 249 We Argentines are best at grass sports
After a five-set battle, Chen Ran advanced to the top [-] of Wimbledon and achieved his original goal of "persisting until the second week".

So far, there is no British among the top [-] players at Wimbledon, which is a huge blow to British fans.

At the press conference after the game, a British reporter asked Chen Ran: "Are you ready to become the 'Public Enemy of Britain'? You single-handedly eliminated all the British players participating in Wimbledon!"

When Chen Ran heard this, he pondered for a moment.

British football hooligans are world-famous. Although the quality of watching tennis will be higher, you will also worry about some brainless and short-sighted people who will rush into the field desperately.

The so-called open guns are easy to hide, but hidden arrows are hard to guard against.

Chen Ran felt that it was better not to rub salt into the wound.

"You know, even in the highly competitive professional tennis world, only the top 100 players in the world can make money." He said eloquently.

The British reporter looked confused. What does this have to do with the question I just asked?

Chen Ran ignored the other party and continued to talk leisurely: "There are only so many players who can make money. So you reporters, don't make it seem like there is a grudge between us. We are just competitors, not enemies."

"I wish them the best of luck for the North American season."

You see this pattern and this magnanimity comes out. This is the magnanimity of being the best in the world.

Listening to Chen Ran's words, these British reporters couldn't help but think of Roddick, who was so outspoken.

The contrast between these two people is too great.

Originally, they were prepared to support Roddick for the sake of the "British-American alliance and father-son relationship."

But after Roddick's remarks supporting Chen Ran were exposed by the cautious British media, these arrogant British guys felt betrayed by their allies.

So they decided not to support Roddick.

"Come on, Chen Ran!"

"I hope you can beat Roddick!"

"You must kick that brat Roddick's ass!"

As a result, these British reporters turned their guns and began to support Chen Ran.

"What happened?" This time it was Chen Ran's turn to be shocked.

After asking carefully, he understood the whole story.

Why didn't Roddick support Henman, but chose to support Chen Ran?
Chen Ran probably knew something about this.

This is not because of the good personal relationship between the two of them, but because American players are more arrogant than British players.

What does Roddick think I am, and what is your Henman identity?He's just an old guy in his twilight years, does he deserve to be looked at by me?

In his opinion, his opponent is a new Grand Slam winner like Chen Ran, and the real competition between them is.

"Thank you for your kindness!"

"But the top 8 games are still far away from me. The first thing I have to consider is the fourth round."

"I played five sets today, which was very taxing on me. I hope I won't be too stretched in the next game."

Chen Ran acted very low-key.

His opponent in the next round is Nalbandian from Argentina. This guy is obviously also a very difficult grass player.

A reporter from "The Sun" started to work again: "Hello, Chen. There's something..."

"Our newspaper girls have unanimously decided to support you in the remaining games!"

It is now the end of June, the Premier League is in its offseason, and there is no World Cup or European Cup in the summer of 6.

Therefore, these British tabloids are trying their best to make news that attracts attention.

"You must also be deeply attracted by the charming girls of "The Sun"!"

Chen Ran covered his forehead, feeling helpless.

God, can you keep these retarded people away from me?
"I'm very grateful to these beauties for their support, but I have to focus on the game itself. The girls in "The Sun" are famous far and wide, so in order to maintain a better competitive state, I have to keep myself away from paying attention to these news."

Chen Ran's answer was watertight and showed a gentleman's demeanor.

"Excuse me, do you usually follow Premier League games and do you have a favorite team?" Finally, a British reporter mentioned the Premier League that they are proud of.

"I like the Premier League, but I can't say which team I like best, because I know that a great league needs many great teams, and they are all an integral part of this great league."

The reporters present looked at each other in confusion. This answer was so brilliant that there was nothing wrong with it.

Chen Ran didn't say which team he liked, but directly rose to the level of the entire Premier League.

Several British reporters were in a daze and gave Chen Ran applause.

After concluding this press conference, Chen Ran came outside again.

At a glance, he saw the bustling crowd of fans waiting at the door, as well as reporters taking photos.

The buildings and facilities of the All England Club all retain their style from a century ago. This is a private club, so the venue space is relatively limited.

Compared with the other three Grand Slams, the tournament organizing committee made full use of all the space here, but it still seems a bit cramped.

So you often see interesting scenes here.Before the game starts at Center Court, there are often many enthusiastic fans gathered at the door.

They don't even need to buy tickets. They just need to stand at the door and see the players waiting to play at any time. Finally, they can watch the players take the stage.

Wimbledon's insistence on tradition and classics can be said to be extremely stubborn.

At this time, a familiar figure came over with a slightly depressed look carrying a tennis bag.

Rafael Nadal?

Without Chen Ran, the 17-year-old Nadal would definitely be the most watched rising star at Wimbledon this year.

He won two games in a row and reached the top 32, but ultimately stopped there.

"Hi, Chen." The Spanish young man also said hello after seeing Chen, "I didn't expect that your ability on the grass court is so outstanding."

The third and fourth rounds of the Grand Slam seem to be only one round apart, but the gap between the two is not small at all.

The points are 90 points and 180 points, and the prizes are 8 pounds and 15 pounds.

Many players with rich tour experience have never been able to persist until the second week and break into the fourth round of a Grand Slam.

"Your performance is also good. I believe you can go further next year!" Chen Ran also said leisurely.

He could see Nadal's almost unconcealed look of envy when he looked at him.

Known as a tennis prodigy since childhood, Nadal became famous at a young age.

He had always believed that he was the best in his age group, but he didn't expect that a guy who was 2 months younger than him had already achieved an honor that could completely crush him.

"Chen, I will cheer for you. I was planning to return to Spain, but now I have decided to stay at Wimbledon." Nadal said very seriously, "When to leave depends on how far you can go at Wimbledon. .”

It seems that this Spanish young man, like Roddick, has regarded himself as a goal to strive to surpass.

"Haha, then I hope you can stay here for a few more days." Chen Ran waved his hand.

……

Due to rainy weather, the mixed doubles match between Chen Ran and Sharapova was postponed.

After all, compared to the tight schedule of men's and women's singles competitions, the mixed doubles schedule is relatively loose, and because the importance of the latter is far less than that of the former, it was left out in the cold.

The seventh match day was exciting.

Fourth seed Agassi was upset and was eliminated by French star Grosjean after five sets.

The second seed Federer, who was in hot form, eliminated Thailand's Sri Chaphan in straight sets and also locked up another quarterfinal spot.

But the British audience still gave the Thai man warm applause.

For two consecutive Wimbledon tournaments, the Thais have reached the top [-], which is an incredible achievement.

Then, everyone's target focused on Chen Ran.

Whether the best results of Asian players at Wimbledon can be refreshed depends on Chen Ran's performance.

"We Argentines have an unparalleled talent for grass-court sports!"

“Whether it’s soccer, rugby, or tennis!”

Argentina’s No. [-] star Nalbandian confidently boasted to many media, “I respect Chen Ran. He is the world’s number one and the French Open champion, but I believe that my ability in grass sports is higher than Chen Ran’s. of."

"After all... First of all, I really don't mean any offense, but the fact is that the Chinese people's talent in grass sports has always been very ordinary!"

As last year's Wimbledon runner-up, Nalbandian looked confident.

From another perspective, the poor performance of the Chinese men's football team in last year's World Cup also left a lasting impression on the Argentinian.

"I'm only 21 years old and I believe I have unlimited future possibilities!"

"My goal is to become the Maradona of Argentine tennis!"

Nalbandian, who became famous at a young age, is full of longing for his future.

Chen Ran's best result is the French Open championship, while he is the Wimbledon runner-up. The gap between the two is very close, and grass courts are what he is good at.

He never imagined that last year's Wimbledon runner-up would be the pinnacle moment of his career.

Facing the domineering Nalbandian, Chen Ran muttered helplessly: I admit that you Argentinians are very good at grass sports, whether it is tennis, football or rugby.

But you should remember last year's World Cup. As the favorite to win the championship, the Argentina team went home in the group stage.

"So if I can win this game, not only will I be able to create the best record among Asian players at Wimbledon, but I will also be able to rectify the name of our Chinese grass-court sports?"

Facing the Chinese reporters surrounding him, Chen Ran gave a thumbs up in a relaxed manner and walked steadily towards the court.

The game is scheduled for Court No. [-].

Chen Ran saw the menacing Nalbandian with long hair and a headband.

He suddenly thought of a famous song by Madonna: Don't Cry for Me, Argentina.

……

(End of this chapter)