Return to 2002: Freestyle Superstar

Chapter 268 The US Open opens, the common expectations of China and the United States (4K)

PS: Fight for 8K today

……

Roddick finally won the first Masters championship he had longed for.

At this point, the number one star in the United States has finally achieved his first Masters and Grand Slam titles at the same time.

With the end of the Cincinnati Masters, the entire North American season finally ushered in the final climax-the US Open.

When Chen Ran arrived in New York, CCTV's huge broadcast team also arrived.

Although Wimbledon, which has a long history and maintains its classical charm, has huge influence globally, people in China pay more attention to the last stop of the four Grand Slams - the US Open.

Of course, this is also due to the strong publicity power of the American media, which has given this young Open more and more attention.

In last year's US Open final, Sampras defeated Agassi 3-1 and regained the US Open championship.

He also imitated Michael Jordan, winning the US Open as the finale of his career, and then retired from the top.

As a result, there was no longer a defending champion at the 2003 US Open.

As for the No. [-] seed, it is Chen Ran from China.

In just one year, the entire professional tennis world has been turned upside down.

As a special guest at this year's US Open, Sampras himself lamented that the world is changing too fast.

"I originally thought that Agassi would be able to dominate the tennis world for at least a while after I retired." Sampras's personal relationship with Agassi was not good, so he decisively took the opportunity to ridicule him.

Agassi, who has always been unruly, also decisively launched a counterattack: "At least I have the courage to continue to stand on this court. There were indeed many newcomers in 2003. If someone had not retired last year, he would be in a very embarrassed state now!"

The US Open hasn't even started yet, but the two tennis kings are already engaged in a war of words.

"I like Chen Ran because his coach is my good friend Mike Zhang." Sampras talked to the media reporters.

Although Sampras and Chang Depei have maintained a competitive relationship for a long time, the two of them have a good private relationship.

But the relationship between them and Agassi is not very harmonious.

"What do you think of Roddick? What chance does he have of retaining the US Open championship in the United States?" the reporter continued to ask.

"Andy is very good. He has won a Grand Slam." Sampras praised Roddick without hesitation. "He has a great chance of winning the US Open this year. But I have to remind him that if he wants It also extends the peak period of your career, and you can’t just rely on strength and talent.”

"Last question." The reporter said with a hint of excitement in his tone, "Pete, do you think anyone will surpass your record of 14 Grand Slams in the future?"

In recent times, the word "goat" has become popular around the world.

Compared with team sports, judging who is the "goat" in individual sports is very simple and crude, just to see who has the most Grand Slams.

Pete Sampras leads the way with 14 Grand Slams and is also known as the recognized "goat" of tennis.

What people are most curious about now is whether anyone can surpass the record of 14 Grand Slams in the future.

When Sampras talked about this topic, he suddenly became energetic.

Although he has never won the French Open or Olympic championship, his dazzling results of 14 Grand Slams are enough for any tennis player to look up to, and it is also what he is most proud of.

"It's very difficult..." Sampras said to the camera with high spirits, "Of course, I very much hope that those who come after me can break my record, and I will applaud you!"

Although he may not think so in his heart, he must retain the demeanor of a senior when speaking.

Sampras said it so grandly on purpose because he didn't think anyone could break his record.

At least you won't be able to see it in your lifetime.

Fourteen? 10 is difficult!

Do you think Agassi is only a few old ghosts? Only 7 of the active players have already taken the lead.

That's why Sampras can say these things so boldly.

……

"Young people, you have to work harder!" said a sports reporter from the "New York Times" on the eve of the US Open.

He embellished the interview with Sampras and wrote it in the newspaper.

It is said between the lines: Sampras, the "goat" in tennis, thinks that young people of your generation are not good enough.

At this moment, Chen Ran has arrived in New York for a few days.

As the No. [-] seed after the tournament, he will have the opportunity to train on Center Court in Flushing Park for two hours a day.

It has to be said that Chen Ran's bold and unconstrained plan began to work. Through several wonderful confrontations between himself and Roddick, his popularity in the United States soared rapidly.

Today is not the era of the Big Three, and except for Agassi at the end of his career, there are no tennis kings in the current professional tennis world.

The best way is to use Roddick, a supernova, to boost your reputation.

In the past few days, Chen Ran has been invited to attend many events, and it can be said that he is making money every day.

"It's definitely much more satisfying to make money from the American emperor than from the Chinese people." This is Chen Ran's personal experience.

During this period, some American merchants also found Chen Ran's agency and invited him to become the spokesperson of the product.

Some products don't even have sales outlets in China. The other party just wants Chen Ran to become a nationwide spokesperson.

Is there such a good thing? Anyway, I can’t stay in the United States for long in a year.

Thanks to Roddick for the assist!

At this point in time, China and the United States are still in the honeymoon period, and the US imperialists are busy counter-terrorism and suppressing Lao Maozi. God-given opportunity, Chen Ran felt that he could gather more of the American emperor's wool, so you're welcome.

Chen Ran is now as popular in the United States as Yao Ming.

After he came out of Flushing Center, he was immediately surrounded by reporters and enthusiastic fans.

"Chen Ran!"

"Sampras has said that I hope you young people can work harder and break his number of Grand Slams."

"Do you have anything to say?"

Let that guy be proud for a few years!

In the future, more than one, maybe even more than two people will break his record, so don't cry when the time comes!

The feeling of going from the eldest to the fourth child must be very uncomfortable.

However, at this moment, Chen Ran was very humble when facing many reporters: "There is no doubt that Pete is the goat in the tennis world, and his words can inspire us young people."

"Fourteen Grand Slams? Even Mr. Agassi's seven Grand Slams are very, very far away from me at the moment."

"My first goal is to win a second Grand Slam, which is also what my coach Mr. Zhang Depei hopes."

"After all, he has been pursuing the second Grand Slam for almost his entire career since he was seventeen years old." This answer seems to everyone to be quite satisfactory.

Chen Ran's modesty also won everyone's favor.

"By the way, I think Mr. Sampras should also envy me..." Chen Ran changed the subject again, and then smiled slightly amidst everyone's doubtful eyes, "Because I have the French Open championship."

The crowd of onlookers laughed in unison.

Americans will like such humorous athletes, and so does Yao Ming.

"Tell us about your relationship with Roddick? It is said that you are both competitors and friends."

"I like the competition between us..." Chen Ran said calmly, "We have a huge passion for tennis, and tennis is also our common language."

Is there a common language besides tennis? Blonde girl with big boobs in a Los Angeles nightclub?

He is not like some guys who worship foreigners and have a white-skinned brother who wants the whole world to know.

To Chen Ran, Roddick is just a tool man.

"What is certain is that you and Roddick will be the first and second seeds of this US Open, and will sit in the upper and lower half respectively."

"Are you confident that you will meet Roddick in the final?"

Chen Ran smiled friendly: "Are China and the United States both looking forward to our meeting in the finals?"

"Without a doubt, I believe this will definitely break the ratings record for tennis matches!" the American reporter said with certainty, clenching his fists.

"Tennis is round and everything is possible. I don't want to anger other players." Chen Ran kept a low profile.

After signing autographs for fans and getting rid of reporters, Chen Ran returned to his hotel.

As the most prosperous city in the world, New York is indeed very lively.

From Indian Wells, Miami, to Cincinnati, and then to New York, this is the fourth American city that Chen Ran has visited.

This city is a melting pot with people from all over the world and different ethnic groups.

On the short walk from the hotel to the training ground, Chen Ran could see many Asian faces.

In the past few days, Chen Ran took advantage of his break to visit the famous Fifth Avenue, Times Square, Brooklyn Bridge, and Chinatown.

Originally, Chen Ran planned to visit the famous New York subway.

As a result, when he walked to the entrance and saw the shocking excrement, as well as the homeless people in ragged clothes and exhibitionism, Chen Ran had to stop there.

Forget it, as the saying goes, curiosity killed the cat, he'd better not join in the fun.

New York is very prosperous, but in comparison, he still prefers Melbourne.

Although Toronto is not bad, it is too cold in winter.

Of course, if Chen Ran wants to earn some extra money, the United States, the most economically developed country, is the most suitable choice.

He quietly regarded the "Sunshine Double Tournament" in March every year and the US Open in late August and early September as his biannual "money-making trip" to the beautiful country.

Just like later NBA stars come to China every summer to make money.

We have to come and go, right?

However, compared with any cat or dog that can go to China to make money, the people of the United States are relatively picky. Chen Ran will implement his twice-yearly "money-making plan" for the next ten years or so. It must be based on excellent results.

"I don't know what kind of lottery the Beautiful Country organizing committee will arrange for me this time." Chen Ran muttered to himself as he walked in Flushing Park.

……

The much-anticipated US Open draw ceremony finally started with great fanfare, and special guest Sampras came to the scene with his beautiful wife.

Chen Ran had to admire the American celebrity's excellent psychological quality. His wife's short movies were all over the sky, but he could still choose to "forgive her". In comparison, Hong Kong's Ting Feng classmate could not pass the hurdle in his heart. .

No. [-] seed Chen Ran entered the top half, while No. [-] seed Roddick entered the bottom half.

"I know what you are looking forward to?" Sampras held the small note and smiled slightly, "I believe the people of both countries are looking forward to it."

But these words will obviously make other tennis players feel dissatisfied and feel that they are being slighted.

"We are on the same level as Fei Tianwang again!" Chen Ran looked happy when he saw this scene.

The third seed Federer was drawn into the top half by Sampras. If he and Chen Ran can persist to the semi-finals, they should meet.

Chen Ran knows that he is in good form now, and the US Open is still a court that he is good at. If he can use this to suppress the future King Fei, why not do it.

But the next scene, although not surprising to everyone, surprised Chen Ran for a while.

Federer's opponent in the first round turned out to be Nadal!

The "Fena Showdown" in this time and space was staged ahead of schedule.

In addition, Chen Ran's opponent in the first round was also an acquaintance, the American giant Isner, who was only one year older than him.

Brother, we meet again!

This is the third time Chen Ran and Isner have met.

In addition, Swiss brother Wawrinka and another qualifying opponent met in the first round, but their winner will meet Chen Ran and Isner in the second round.

This also made the Chinese media exclaim that Chen Ran's opportunity for revenge has come.

Since his debut, Chen Ran has lost three games in total: one to Roddick, one to Philippoussis, and one to Swiss brother Wawrinka.

But among the people Chen Ran has lost to, Wawrinka is the only one who has no winning record.

Chen Ran's fans have begun to look forward to the second round in advance, and the media in China and the United States have even begun to imagine the finals.

The showdown between China and the United States will directly increase the popularity!

When the US Open draw officially ended, a beautiful blonde beauty interviewed Chen Ran.

Chen Ran looked at this foreign girl and felt that she looked familiar, as if he had seen her before somewhere, but he couldn't remember it.

What makes people even more crazy is that the style of this blonde girl seems to be a bit bold and unrestrained. She also makes secret glances at Chen Ran from time to time. She even thinks that her interview skills are not that professional.

"Excuse me, madam, you must be a very famous host. I seem to have seen you somewhere."

When the blonde girl heard this, she looked surprised and said with some shame and anger: "You don't know me? This is so unexpected!"

"You are……"

"I used to be a tennis player like you, and I'm just a guest host today! And... my name is Kournikova!"

Chen Ran suddenly felt a little embarrassed.

Sister, you haven’t played much basketball in recent years, not to mention you didn’t achieve much when you played. Isn’t it normal that you can’t recognize me?

……

(End of this chapter)