Return to 2002: Freestyle Superstar

Chapter 290 Yao Ming: You already have two Grand Slams, and I’m still training (4K)

Perhaps because he was too tired, Chen Ran fell asleep on the plane.

He even dreamed that at an award ceremony, his agent who liked to do tricks brought a goat over and flattered him wildly.

The goat looked cute, but for some reason it suddenly lost its temper and refused to be led by the manager.

The agent was so angry that he kicked the goat twice.

The goat seemed to be irritated, then lowered its head and raised its horns and charged at Chen Ran's agent, while his own agent was so frightened that he ran around in all directions.

The whole audience burst into laughter, while Chen Ran stood there with an embarrassed look on his face.

Is this what you call a surprise? Not too scary!

When the desperate goat rushed towards Chen Ran menacingly, Chen Ran was awakened and found that he was still half-lying in the business class of the passenger plane.

Quiet and comfortable.

Fortunately it was a dream!

I'm not the deputy goat in basketball, and I won't always lead a goat when participating in activities to tell the outside world that I am the "GOAT".

No need, absolutely no need!

However, Chen Ran remembered that his manager still liked to do things very well, so he had to take precautions and be reminded not to cause any trouble for me.

"Where is the plane?"

"Sir, the plane will land at Yanjing International Airport in half an hour."

In 2003, because the China Open had not yet happened, and the Magic City Heineken Open was at the end of the month, Chen Ran had the rare opportunity to rest for more than half a month.

It won’t be so comfortable next year!

After the US Open, he had to participate in the Yanjing China Open and Shanghai Heineken.

The former is a 500 race, while the latter is a 250 race.

Thinking of this, Chen Ran had a headache and couldn't help but stretch.

Since 2004, excluding WTA, ATP has established a total of four tours in China, namely Yanjing, Shanghai, Chengdu and Zhuhai.

Even third-tier towns like Chen Ran's hometown Dongzhou City have set up low-level ATP Challengers.

However, because Chen Ran's energy is really limited, he can only sign up for two of the events at most.

Even if the organizing committee paid more appearance fees, Chen Ran would not be able to sign up for the third competition.

Half an hour later, the plane landed slowly at Yanjing International Airport.

This time when he returned to China, Chen Ran contacted the airport and decided to go directly to the secret passage.

It is now early September, which is also the peak period for flights. It would not be good if I cause a commotion in the airport lobby again.

As for reporters and media, the brokerage company only notified a few official media.

If you want to hold a celebration ceremony, you can wait until you settle down.

Therefore, before Chen Ran's plane took off, the Tennis Sports Management Center and the agency jointly stated that they would avoid affecting the order of the Capital Airport. This trip was kept confidential and they also hoped that fans would not pick up the plane.

Celebrations will be planned separately.

After getting off the plane, Chen Ran walked very smoothly because he walked through the VIP channel. Only a few official media followed him. He briefly interviewed a few words along the way, and then walked into the waiting commercial vehicle with a smile. Walk away.

Sun Jinfang, director of the Tennis Management Center, came to pick him up at the airport in person.

After all, Chen Ran is now the God of Love and Wealth in her eyes.

Without Chen Ran, how would the Tennis Association get tens of millions of sponsorship dollars a year?

"Xiao Chen, have you read the news about you?" Director Sun turned his head and asked cautiously.

"What news?" Chen Ran was confused, "Is it about the US Open?"

"It has something to do with it, but my suggestion is that you'd better not reply to this matter and just let the agency handle it."

After that, Director Sun handed a newspaper in his hand to Chen Ran.

Chen Ran glanced at the newspaper in his hand, and his face suddenly showed a dumbfounded expression.

It was supposed to be a storm that Li Na would experience, but this was another wave that she blocked in advance.

This scene should have happened when Li Na won the French Open in 2011. The coach named Li must have been unconvinced.

It was precisely because of these words that the public opinion at that time was boiling.

The current time point is 8 years ahead of schedule, and it is still in men's tennis. It is estimated that the Internet today must be very lively.

Just keep a low profile and don't reply.

In fact, something ridiculous happened in the future.

After Lin Dan, the greatest player in badminton history, had a son, Coach Li happily said that we have a successor for Chinese badminton.

However, Lin Dan and his wife firmly stated: "My son will practice tennis in the future, not badminton."

Coach Li's expression at that time must have been very exciting.

However, Chen Ran also knew that since he had taken away Li Na's luck and wealth, he would definitely experience some public controversy.

Perhaps Li Na can still win a Grand Slam in the future, but according to the law of conservation of energy, under the brilliance of Chen Ran, especially when the ornamental value of men's tennis crushes women's tennis, her commercial value and influence are mostly It will be greatly reduced.

Why is Sharapova’s commercial value and popularity so great?

In addition to outstanding strength, delicate appearance also plays a vital role.

Serena Williams is the greatest player in WTA history, but her income has been suppressed by Sharapova and Li Na, ranking third.

Even so, this was due to the American market behind her and the weakness of American men's tennis at the time, which resulted in a lot of dividends.

"Fine……"

Chen Ran looked at the newspaper and couldn't help but nodded, "I will not get involved in arguments on this topic. In addition, I know my goals in Athens next year."

Does this kind of thing require him to come forward?

The anger of the media and fans can devour each other alive, and there is no need to end the game themselves.

As a superstar in the Chinese sports world, you still need to have the necessary magnanimity.

Chen Ran quickly arrived at the Sports Bureau in a commercial vehicle.

The director of the Sports Bureau and even higher-level leaders in charge of sports also cordially received Chen Ran and encouraged him to continue to work hard in future competitions, show the style of Chinese athletes and bring glory to the country.

Then came the celebration ceremony, where many fan representatives, sponsors, media reporters, and male and female players from the national tennis team were invited to gather together.

In fact, there are a few guys in the national tennis team who like to drink, but they are also older and it is difficult for them to make breakthroughs in their careers.

When those young male and female players saw that Chen Ran didn't drink or touch any fat, they were impressed by Chen Ran's strong self-control and high professionalism, and secretly made up their minds to learn from Chen Ran.

If they still have expectations for their careers and hope to make all the achievements in the tour and the four majors, they must have excellent self-control.

This is the power of role models!

"Everyone has a chance!"

Chen Ran said with some emotion: "Next year, both the ATP and WTA will start the Chinese season!"

As he spoke, he observed these young men and women, all of them with excited expressions on their young faces.

For tennis players, from the moment they become athletes, being able to participate in the tour and the four Grand Slams is their biggest dream.

It is also this dream that constantly motivates them to train hard, overcome injuries, and move towards a higher ranking. “So, everyone should work hard and prepare for next year’s Chinese season!”

"There are too many masters on the tour stage, but only by seeing the outside world can you continue to improve."

Chen Ran encourages these young players.

"Of course, the male players should get ready because the Heineken Open is at the end of the month."

"I remember that our Chinese players got two wild cards! This opportunity is rare, so you must cherish it."

In fact, for Chinese tennis, at least this year, men's chances are better than women's.

Because the ATP Tour will have the Heineken Open, but the WTA does not have an Open in China this year.

The Chinese men’s players who received the wild cards of the Heineken Open this time are Zhu Benqiang and Zeng Shaoxuan.

Although the two of them are considered the best in China, they are still novices internationally. They can't even last a few rounds in the ATP Challenger Tour. The stage of the tour is too cruel for them.

There are only 32 main draw draws for the Heineken Open, and the Magic City Organizing Committee, which has always been wealthy, usually spends money to invite the top 10 players, and then the remaining draws are determined based on the world rankings of the registered players.

Zhu Benqiang is ranked over 200 in the world, while Zeng Shaoxuan is ranked over 300 in the world. Going to participate in the Heineken Open is basically to give up.

But Chinese players do need this kind of "give away" opportunities, the more the better, in order to understand how big the gap is between themselves and the world's second- and third-rate tennis players.

"Chen Ran, will we draw you in the first round?" Now as China's No. 2 men's singles player after Chen Ran, Zhu Benqiang asked curiously, "Isn't that the China Derby?"

In fact, both he and Zeng Shaoxuan were still looking forward to getting it in the first round with Chen Ran.

After all, in an ATP250 level competition, % of the time, the two of them will be eliminated in the first round. No one can beat them anyway, so it's better to draw the strongest one.

Playing against Chen Ran and being booed in the Chinese Derby, the attention will definitely be very high, and I can also take the opportunity to become famous.

Nowadays, China Tennis is almost equal to Chen Ran. He, China's No. 2 men's singles player, is almost like a little transparent player.

"With me?"

"Chinese Derby..."

Chen Ran held the drink bottle in one hand and couldn't help but touch his nose with the other hand.

Even if we really meet in the first round, can it be called a Chinese Derby?

Is that how the word derby is used?

Chen Ran was dumbfounded.

Barcelona and Real Madrid, El Clasico.

AC Milan and Inter Milan, Milan derby.

Shanghai Shenhua and Dalian are real, A-A derby.

A derby can only be considered a close match.

However, Chen Ran didn't point it out, but smiled slightly: "First of all, don't expect me to give in, even if this is a 250 race. Then... how to draw lots is a matter for the organizing committee."

Then he showed an intriguing smile and said something that excited Zhu Benqiang and Zeng Shaoxuan.

"First of all, the Heineken Open only has 8 seeds. This means that in the first round, at least 8 players will not meet the seeded players."

"Do you know what this means?"

Zhu Benqiang and Zeng Shao shook their heads in confusion. After all, they had no tour experience.

"The Magic City Organizing Committee can allow the two of you to meet in the first round, which guarantees that one of you will advance to the second round."

"Can it still be done like this?"

“Many countries do this!”

When Chen Ran said this, the two of them became excited.

No matter who wins this match, it means entering the top 16 of the ATP Tour, doubling the prize money and doubling the points.

This is not a complete pie in the sky!

The two of them also practice doubles and have achieved good results in doubles competitions on the tour.

However, the characteristic of tennis is that the influence between doubles and singles is very different.

"That's good!"

"awesome!"

Chen Ran smiled slightly. For him, this was just a piece of cake.

There is indeed some cheating, but any country that hosts an ATP or WTA tour will take care of its own players. This is human nature.

We Chinese people sometimes care too much about face, especially in games held in China. In order to show fairness, we do not give too many preferential treatment to domestic players.

This also makes us Chinese sports fans always complain: home games are like away games, and away games are like crematoriums.

Foreigners don't have such taboos. As long as they can take advantage, they will never show mercy.

Of course, we still have a certain bottom line and professionalism. We must not be as shameless as South Korea next door and do whatever it takes to win.

Chen Ran suddenly had a thought.

A few years later, social software such as Douyin and Kuaiyin became popular.

They can also note on their social accounts: ATP Tour Top 16.

Anyway, the 250 race is considered a tour race.

With this certification label, you can teach netizens how to play tennis on Douyin or Kuaishou!

If you run it well, you can become an Internet celebrity and make a lot of money every day.

After all, there are many people who have done this in later generations. Some of them are certified in the ATP Challenger Tour, ITF Hope Tour, and even national championships.

In this way, the certification of the top 16 of the ATP Tour seems to be much more valuable.

……

After the celebration banquet, Chen Ran planned to stay in the athletes' dormitory of the Sports Bureau for a few days in order to facilitate training and avoid outside interference.

Early the next morning, after his morning run, he went directly to the cafeteria for breakfast, and happened to meet Yao Ming walking towards him with domineering steps.

Obviously the other party also came to have breakfast.

"Good morning, Brother Yao!" Chen Ran said hello after seeing Yao Ming.

After winning the US Open, Yao Ming also sent him a congratulatory text message.

"By the way, Brother Yao, why haven't you returned to the United States yet?"

“The Asian Men’s Basketball Championship hasn’t started yet!”

"Not yet?"

"It starts at the end of this month!" Yao Ming shook his head, looking helpless, "So we are still training."

"This training camp has been long enough..." Chen Ran was speechless.

When he won the French Open, Yao Ming had just started training.

Now Chen Ran has experienced Wimbledon and the US Open, and has won two Grand Slams, and Yao Ming is still training!

……

(End of this chapter)