Return to 2002: Freestyle Superstar

Chapter 263 Appeal from the world’s number one

what?
  The final of the Toronto Masters is best of three sets? Also, the final in Cincinnati was also a best of three sets?
  When Chen Ran received the news on the eve of the semi-finals, in addition to being surprised, he also decisively gave a thumbs up to the organizing committees of these two events.

He had not paid attention to this news before, and in his impression, the reform of the Masters finals should only happen after 2009.

He now knows that not all Masters finals are best-of-five sets. Among them, the Toronto Masters and Cincinnati Masters have always insisted that the finals are also best-of-three sets.

This is used to differentiate between Grand Slam and Masters tournaments.

Yeah, the players are tired enough.

A Grand Slam is a different kind of competition. In order to maintain its specialness and distinctiveness, you can stick to best-of-five sets, but this is not necessary in the ATP Tour, which also allows players to consume less.

The two semifinals were Chen Ran vs. Roddick and Hewitt vs. Ferrero.

Although Agassi and Federer both entered the quarterfinals, they ultimately stopped in this round.

what does this mean?
  Chen Ran only needs to defeat Roddick to enter the final to keep his No. [-] position in the world.

After Federer missed the semi-finals, he was no longer able to pose a threat to Chen Ran's ranking.

But the whole world, maybe Chen Ran knew that today's professional tennis world has been changed beyond recognition by himself.

Roddick's early rise caused Federer to miss out on the Wimbledon championship that originally belonged to him.

Chen Ran himself is still firmly ranked number one in the world.

"Chen, congratulations on reaching the semi-finals of the Masters again. This is also your first time participating in the Toronto Masters. How do you feel now?" After the game, a reporter from Canada asked.

"It's great. The environment and climate here are very suitable for tennis matches. I enjoy playing here very much." Chen Ran smiled slightly.

"Have you considered buying a house here?" The reporter raised another slightly sensitive topic.

Even if I wanted to buy it, do you think I would say it publicly here?

"The first thing I want to do in the place I choose to settle is that the security is good. If I retire in [-] years and the security in Toronto is still as good as it is today, I will seriously consider it." When Chen Ran spoke, he seemed very calm and careful. Beautiful Tai Chi, "Of course this is just one of the options."

In fact, whether it is Australia, Canada or the United States, in terms of liveliness, it is definitely not as lively as China, especially at night or even early in the morning, you can go wherever you want.

There are many kinds of freedom in life. In addition to freedom of wealth and freedom of work, the highest realm is freedom of residence.

This is also what many top wealthy people or those superstar-level celebrities pursue. (There is another identity that I won’t mention, everyone knows it)
  I have a private jet and my own house in various developed countries around the world. I can go on vacation wherever I want without being limited to one place.

"Then will you come to Toronto to compete every year in the future?" the Canadian reporter continued to ask.

"I hope, but I can't guarantee it." Chen Ran seemed very honest. "In the future, all my participation plans will be developed around the four majors. Of course, the Toronto Masters is my favorite Masters. one."

"Why do you say that?"

"I just learned that the final of the Toronto Masters is a best-of-three-set format. This is a very humane design."

The Canadian reporter showed pride: "Yes, our organizing committee will also consider the players. Working overtime is not a happy thing, and we Canadians don't like to work overtime."

Chen Ran found that the opportunity was good and said decisively: "Privately, I have also discussed with many players. We all agree that except for the Grand Slam, it is best to adopt a best-of-three sets system."

At this time, both Chinese and foreign reporters' eyes lit up, feeling that there was news again.

"Are you dissatisfied with the current ATP tournament system?" A reporter immediately expressed dissatisfaction.

"We have to participate in many competitions every year." Chen Ran talked eloquently in front of countless cameras, "Due to the special status, history, and their unique glory of the four Grand Slams, I have no choice but to retain three wins in five sets. Opinion."

"But I think the ATP should reduce the burden on me and top players like Roddick and Federer."

"At present, most Masters finals, year-end Masters Cup finals, and Olympic finals are all best-of-five sets. I think this is completely unnecessary."

"First of all, it's a matter of rhythm. In the previous rounds, we were used to best-of-three sets, but in the final it suddenly became best-of-five sets. This feeling was very weird."

“Also, best-of-three sets makes for great tennis.”

The restructuring of the original space-time tennis event took place in 2009, which is still 6 years away from now, which is really too long.

Chen Ran didn't care if it was useful or not, he just appealed first and that was it.

"By the way, Chen Ran!" A Chinese reporter seemed to have remembered something and asked, "You have won a Grand Slam, have you joined the ATP Players Union?"

"Not yet. The list is updated at the beginning of every year, but they have already invited me." Chen Ran replied truthfully.

The few Chinese reporters glanced around cautiously. Although reporters from other countries whispered, they did not show doubts, and then they stopped speaking.

Perhaps among the reporters from various countries present, they are the only Chinese reporters who know that the word "trade union" has different meanings in China.

But this is the ATP Players Union, and its meaning is definitely different from China’s “union”.

After this press conference, the headlines on the front pages of major media were: World No. [-] Chen Ran called for the cancellation of all best-of-five sets in the ATP Tour, leaving only the four Grand Slam tournaments. On the other side, Roddick also stood up and spoke for Chen Ran.

"I [-]% agree with Chen Ran's point of view. The players are too tired. Especially the fatigue that a best-of-five set game brings to the body is completely different from that of a best-of-three set match."

"Every year, we see many of our top players decline due to injuries."

"It's time for the ATP Tour to make some changes."

Federer, Feredo, Hewitt, and even Safin, who is currently recovering from his injuries, all said that this issue should indeed be discussed seriously.

Although they do not support the outlawing of best-of-five sets outside of non-Grand Slam tournaments like Roddick, they also believe that today's frequent games place a serious physical burden on professional players.

In particular, some players from small Eastern European countries complain that the bonuses are too low, and they have almost no endorsements to get, so they can only participate in competitions throughout the year to earn some meager bonuses.

Although the prize money for tennis competitions is higher than that of most sports in the world, it cannot support the high team expenses. In addition, tennis players are almost all self-employed, and all costs must be borne by themselves.

Chen Ran's appeal also won praise from many professional tennis players.

Of course there are exceptions.

For example, Agassi has always been unruly and likes to make rude remarks.

"What does it have to do with me? I'm in my 30s and I'm about to retire."

"Chen Ran said that because he wants to run for the chairman of the labor union. He is quite ambitious!"

"But let me say, I support keeping all competitions in their original format."

"why?"

Agassi is indeed a guy who will openly admit that he has taken the virus. He said directly to the camera: "Because when I was young, I experienced three wins in five sets in the Olympics, the year-end, and the Masters. The suffering I suffered, you are now Why can’t these young people go through this again? It’s so hypocritical!”

As soon as this statement came out, the entire professional tennis world went into a panic.

After all, the professional tennis world, which is dominated by European and American players, is not as hierarchical as the Japanese and Korean sports circles.

Many young players, regardless of the tennis senior's once brilliant career, started firing.

"Crazy and selfish!"

"What kind of pervert does this person want us young people to go through what he went through again."

"Agassi has lost all my respect from now on."

"Chen Ran is the real number one in the world, and I will be his fan from now on."

"Agassi's era is over. It was Chen Ran who personally ended him."

Even Roddick was disapproving of Agassi: "Although we are both Americans, we don't have much friendship in private."

After being impulsive, Agassi finally came to his senses and realized that he had spoken too hastily, but with his arrogance and no intention of apologizing, he simply refused to be interviewed by reporters.

Anyway, I'm at the end of my career, you can say whatever you want, I don't care.

In the end, his wife Graf could only come out to calm the matter: "Believe me, he means no harm."

But everyone no longer buys it.

Chen Ran also didn't expect that because of this unexpected incident, his popularity would skyrocket in the professional tennis world, while Agassi's reputation would plummet as a result.

There are even rumors that if Chen Ran can continue to maintain the number one position in the world by the end of the year, then next year, he is likely to be appointed as the chairman of the ATP Players Union to fight for the interests of the players.

The chairman of the players union who is under the age of [-] is even crazier than the Grand Slam champion and world number one who is under the age of [-].

Of course, this is just hearsay, no one has verified it, not even the person involved, Chen Ran, knows about it.

Soon under the spotlight and under the hype of the Chinese and American media, the semi-final match between Chen Ran and Roddick began.

The central court, which can accommodate 1 spectators, is already full.

The enthusiasm of the audience has completely ignited this game.

The semi-finals were regarded as an early final.

On this day, the total number of media from China and the United States exceeded 200, just for the first confrontation between the French Open champion and the Wimbledon champion.

……

(End of this chapter)