Return to 2002: Freestyle Superstar

Chapter 284 The Prelude to the Sino-US War

Compared to Chen Ran, who is relatively low-key, Roddick's big mouth is even more outspoken.

After all, Chen Ran did not challenge the seniors with outstanding records in professional tennis. He just said that he could become a candidate for the "Chinese Sports Goat".

But this guy Roddick embodies the characteristic of American athletes who always switch back and forth between self-confidence and arrogance. He said brazenly: "I respect the seniors in professional tennis, but as long as I win this year's US Open, I will be fully capable of competing." Best in history!”

"I don't dare to think about Sampras yet, but the first goal is to surpass Agassi."

"Welcome to Flushing Center to witness my history!"

The Wimbledon champion, and then the US Open finals, this guy is now extremely confident.

As for whether you will be slapped in the face one day?

In fact, American athletes don't care about this at all.

After all, in the beautiful country, there are too many athletes who like to brag and talk big words. Even if they fail to fulfill their promises, everyone just laughs and doesn't take them seriously at all.

Otherwise, a certain executive deputy goat would not have shouted when he came to Miami: "How many championships are we going to win? It's not one or two, three or four, or five or six, at least seven championships!" "

So the people of the beautiful country have long been accustomed to these athletes who love to talk big words.

Obviously Roddick is also a master who knows this well.

If the big words I say come true, then it is naturally a good thing. You see how foresight I am, and I do what I say. It is worthy of publicity, and the attention and commercial value will continue to soar.

What if it doesn't happen?

Anyway, I won’t lose a piece of meat!

"Chen Ran is my good buddy, but the US Open is my territory."

"Of course, Wimbledon and the Australian Open will also be my focus."

"But I can leave the French Open to Chen Ran. He can be the king of clay in the future!"

Once this guy says he's high, he can't stop talking.

"Leave me the title of 'King of Clay'?" Chen Ran couldn't help but smile after hearing Roddick's remarks. "Does the Spanish young man Nadal agree?"

In addition, the king of the US Open is Federer, the king of the Australian Open is Djokovic, and the king of Wimbledon is shared by these two people.

This guy is just a little too confident.

Chinese reporters also exclaimed that the two guys in the US Open finals both like to make news.

Of course, this is a good thing for them.

They are afraid that the athletes will only compete with their heads down and not live at all.

"But Andy... have you ever thought about what would happen if you lose the final?" A reporter finally asked curiously.

"Losing?" Roddick shook his head decisively. "I admit that this possibility exists, but my personality prompts me to never consider this issue, so I never thought about it."

A reporter added: "Chen Ran thinks so too. He said that since he has entered the finals, his only goal is to win the championship."

"Haha, that's very good! I'm looking forward to this final. I believe I can beat him."

"Also... I firmly believe that this game will set a viewing record in sports history! After all, the United States has a population of 3 million, while China has a population of 13 billion."

This naive guy apparently added the populations of both countries together.

……

In the past few days, all sports news and major sports forums in China have been occupied by the enthusiasm of netizens.

In this era before social media became popular, netizens could only express their opinions on major forums.

First, there was Chen Ran’s remarks about the “goat” debate, and then Roddick’s wild words, and even his threats to compete for the best in history, made the Internet in China and the United States very lively.

To this end, CCTV also produced a special live broadcast for the US Open finals.

Under normal circumstances, only for heavyweight events such as the World Cup or the Olympics, CCTV will start the live broadcast one hour in advance before the start of each game, inviting guests to talk and introduce around the game to warm up the game, and at the same time, try to Create a tense atmosphere for the game.

However, Chen Ran also enjoyed such treatment at the French Open, and this US Open final was his second in a year.

This also surprised Chen Ran slightly.

After all, the French Open is the first Grand Slam final, which has special significance. Unexpectedly, the US Open will come again.

However, he knows that as he enters more and more Grand Slam finals in the future, such a grand pre-match ceremony will not become the norm.

So, when Chen Ran just walked out of the hotel where he was staying, the suppressed live broadcast signal truck followed Chen Ran, trying to transmit all his relevant war preparation information back to China as soon as possible.

"What's the ticket situation like for this final?"

Sitting in the special car arranged by the organizing committee, Chen Ran asked Zhang Depei curiously.

"It's so hot, it's like concert tickets, it's almost impossible to get."

"The ticket price is not cheap at all, the cheapest one costs 500 US dollars."

When Zhang Depei spoke, he also showed some reminiscence: "In 96, it was also at this stadium. The final was between me and Peter. It was also hard to get a ticket for that game."

Although he is an American, he is also a Chinese. He is Chinese in the eyes of many white Americans, just like Bruce Lee.

If we only look at race, the US Open final was between Chinese and white.

Seven years later, it was still a Chinese versus a white man in the US Open final.

Is this really God's will?

Especially the outcome of this battle will also determine who will be number one in the world. Hearing this, Chen Ran also smiled and said: "Coach, do you often miss the days when you used to run on the court?"

"Of course, it's not just about nostalgia, I often dream about the scene when I was playing basketball." When Zhang Depei spoke, a look of regret flashed across his face, "Unfortunately, I retired too early, and I am only 31 years old now."

"If my physical function hadn't declined too quickly, I would have loved to have been able to play for a few more years."

For such top athletes, if they suddenly lose the spotlight and can no longer participate in competitions, they will definitely feel a sense of loss.

Retiring at the age of 30 is a bit early.

In fact, Zhang Depei has not had any serious injuries in his career. The reason why he chose to retire so early is because he felt that it was already difficult for him to deal with young players, and it would be meaningless if he kept losing.

Mainly because players of that era didn't pay much attention to taking care of their bodies.

However, Chen Ran’s goal is not just to be 30 years old, he hopes to be 35 years old, or even further.

Not only to be the tallest mountain, but also to be the longest river.

"Chen, as long as you win today's game, you can basically make your number one ranking in the world more than 20 weeks."

“This is definitely an incredible achievement.”

Zhang Depei analyzed Chen Ran.

"I understand, but the first goal is to win the US Open. Ranking No. 1 in the world is just your reward after winning a Grand Slam." Chen Ran said very calmly.

In his opinion, as long as he wins, all problems can be solved.

At this time, the special car had already entered Flushing Park.

Many fans, men, women, old and young, stood on both sides of the road to welcome them.

Maybe it's organized, maybe it's voluntary, but the beautiful country does know how to market and create a great atmosphere in this US Open final.

Some of the Chinese fans also waved the five-star red flag and shouted excitedly.

"Chen Ran, come on for the final!"

"Win the championship!"

When the special car arrived at the stadium parking lot, Chen Ran took his team members and walked down calmly, waving to those who came to cheer him up from time to time.

Among the crowd, there was also a foreign female fan who shouted in English: "Chen Ran, I love you!"

Then the crowd of onlookers booed.

There are even naughty Chinese fans who come to cause trouble: "Together, together!"

"Girl, I hope your boyfriend won't hear it." Chen Ran replied humorously, and then quickly walked towards the player tunnel without waiting for the girl to reply.

Hahaha~

The fans all around burst into laughter, and the reporters who were watching immediately took out their pens and wrote something quickly.

In short, with the little episode just now, the originally tense atmosphere suddenly became much more relaxed.

"Thanks to the foreign girl who assisted..."

After arriving in the locker room, Chen Ran muttered silently.

Although this is his second Grand Slam final, it is obviously unrealistic to say that he is not nervous at all, but is very relaxed.

Such an important game, a once-in-a-lifetime moment, coupled with the suffocating atmosphere of the competition.

Even though Chen Ran was calm when he just walked out of the hotel, his heartbeat still accelerated slightly after arriving at the stadium.

The foreign girl's "magic touch" just made him feel more relaxed.

"I wonder if that guy Roddick is also nervous? He should be too. Although it is also the second time, it is the first time to fight in front of his father and fellow villagers."

"Maybe that will be my advantage."

Chen Ran silently analyzed the current situation.

At this US Open in his previous life, Roddick cleanly defeated Spanish star Ferrero 3-0 and took away the world No. ranking from him.

This was Roddick's only Grand Slam and the only time he reached the top of the world.

But this time and space of 2003 has already changed beyond recognition because of Chen Ran’s birth.

Especially under Chen Ran's stimulation, not only Nadal and Wawrinka grew up ahead of schedule, Roddick also seemed to become stronger than in his previous life.

This time at the US Open, although Chen Ran is confident of winning the championship, the strength of the two sides is still 50-50, and the key is their performance on the court.

……

"Good morning, viewers, and welcome to CCTV5!"

"Another crisp autumn morning!"

"A lot of people probably just rolled out of bed and turned on the TV."

"But the game is about to start, so everyone should wash their faces quickly!"

In the C5 live broadcast room, the host's sonorous and powerful voice came: "The players from both sides have shaken hands, and the game is about to begin!"

……

(End of this chapter)