Return to 2002: Freestyle Superstar

Chapter 314 I won’t become the next Hewitt!

Chen Ran won two games in the year-end Masters Cup and reached the semi-finals. He also received about US$50 in compensation.

So far, his total prize money in his first season has exceeded the US$600 million mark, and he is also ranked first in the ATP player list.

Of course, this does not include the million-dollar appearance fee given to him by the Magic City Tournament Organizing Committee.

Even with black whistles and misjudgments, in Chen Ran's view, this debut season is still perfect.

In the post-match press conference, Chen Ran was still the focus of reporters' attention.

Even though Federer had just won the year-end championship, his limelight was still robbed by Chen Ran.

In this regard, Fei Tianwang was also happy to be quiet.

"Chen Ran, this is ESPN..."

"This is the Los Angeles Times..."

"This is the New York Times..."

"This is 'Tennis Magazine'..."

"This is CCTV..."

"This is the 'Guardian'..."

"This is Bild..."

One after another, a steady stream of questions rushed towards Chen Ran.

Since the beginning of the press conference, the questions have never stopped. Not only Chinese reporters, but reporters from all over the world are all excited and excited.

In fact, many people are not well-intentioned and hope that Chen Ran can say shocking words.

For example, "I was framed", "I was the real year-end champion", "Federer is not worthy" and other hot remarks.

Although Chen Ran stopped in the top four, he had just received the huge trophy that symbolized "year-end number one".

When you are so proud, will you speak out arrogant words?

They always feel that Chen Ran, like Roddick, is an upright person who knows how to organize things, likes to shoot off, and can't hide his words. He is the focus of the news inside and outside.

In comparison, Federer is much more calm and elegant.

"Obviously Roger is the champion, why don't you interview him?"

Chen Ran frowned slightly as he faced the long guns and short cannons. His intuition told him that this matter was not simple.

"Both of you are winners. One is the championship trophy, and the other is the year-end No. 1 trophy." A reporter from the United States immediately answered.

Chen Ran shook his head directly and said: "No, I have nothing to say. To be precise, everything I can say was said at the award ceremony just now."

He shrugged, looking calm and gentlemanly.

"I sincerely congratulate Roger, his performance is worthy of this championship."

"Of course, Andy also played very well. But maybe because he participated in too many games, his state had some ups and downs."

The American reporter didn't give up and continued to ask: "If it were you who participated in the year-end finals, do you think you could beat Federer?"

These damn European and American reporters are digging holes for you all the time. Chen Ran actually had the urge to pour the mineral water bottle in his hand directly on the other person's head.

"The season is over and I won't make any further comments about the game."

"Life is about moving forward, and tennis is the same. I should now be preparing for the 2004 season."

"Of course, I am very happy that the ATP is willing to introduce the 'Eagle Eye Challenge'. I believe this will be a milestone moment in the entire sports history."

Although Chen Ran is only a little over seventeen years old, he is already very calm and comfortable in dealing with these media.

No one knows who is playing!

A reporter from Xiaotian directly jumped in front of the Chinese reporter and asked: "Mr. Chen Ran... do you think you are Asia's number one sports superstar now?"

I used to like to do this kind of stunts when I was little.

"I don't care about such a false reputation, so I'll let you reporters make the assessment. It doesn't matter where I am." Chen Ran smiled slightly.

This is the pattern!

A true number one will not always emphasize that he is number one, but also spread publicity to force others to admit that he is number one.

Because Chen Ran knows that he is the number one player in Asian sports today. No matter whether others question it or not, this result will not change.

In fact, if Chen Ran said that he is the second person in the Asian sports world, who would dare to sit as the first person?

Oh, maybe there will be crazy confident Indian cricketers who will let their country's cricketers sit in this position.

"Did I have many fans when I was a kid?" Chen Ran asked with a smile.

"Yes! And there are many!" Xiaozhi's reporter looked excited. "They all hope you can go to Tokyo to participate in the competition."

It's not that he doesn't want to go, or that the appearance fee given during his childhood is not enough, but that he has to play too many games every year.

After all, as a Chinese, it is impossible for Chen Ran to refuse the Chinese season.

It doesn't seem good to just play one round in a small life and then walk away with a sum of money.

After all, Chen Ran cherishes his reputation very much.

"Let's see what the chance is... Besides, I have collaborated with Xu Feigang, a comic book author from your country. I also hope that my performance will make him happy."

After Chen Ran finished dealing with the reporters from his childhood, a reporter from China CCTV asked a question. "Chen Ran, this year's year-end is completely different from last year's year-end. It's not an overstatement to say it's earth-shaking."

"What about next year? Will the top three rankings in the world and the year-end finals also happen like this year?"

This question is much more professional.

Tennis is an individual sport, which is completely different from team sports such as football and basketball.

For those strong teams, whether it is a club or a national team, even if a few key players are missing, the overall strength may not be affected.

Or those hungry young talents sitting on the bench will seize this opportunity to show their extraordinary strength and then steal the main position.

But there are too many variables in tennis.

For example, Hewitt, who won two Grand Slams at the age of 21 and won the year-end number one and the year-end championship for two consecutive years, has lost to players outside the TOP50 countless times this year.

Performance dropped at a cliff-like speed.

When many people thought that the professional tennis world in 2003 would usher in Hewitt's era, he was overtaken and suppressed by Federer of the same year, as well as younger Roddick and Chen Ran, and his glory was no longer there.

This is the world of men's professional tennis. It can be heaven and hell for a while, extremely cruel.

"I understand what you mean..." Chen Ran nodded seriously.

Perhaps only reporters in China are worried about their own competitive status.

After all, Chen Ran has single-handedly driven the vigorous development of the tennis industry in China.

Nowadays, more and more people are interested in tennis.

But unlike other tennis powers, they have top players and super rising stars, but now China is just Chen Ran fighting alone.

If Chen Ran can no longer be active on the tour and the four Grand Slam stages, then the popularity of tennis in China will inevitably decline, and the workload of these tennis reporters will also be greatly reduced.

This is where Chen Ran differs from Yao Ming.

Because regardless of whether there is Yao Ming or not, basketball is the top two sports in China, and there is also a CBA that can guarantee the basics of basketball.

In comparison, the foundation of tennis is indeed too weak.

As for those foreigners, especially Europeans and Americans, who gloat over misfortune, they really like Chen Ran to become the next Hewitt.

Of course, no matter what, Chen Ran is destined to enter the International Tennis Hall of Fame after retiring just based on his record in 2003.

After being silent for a while, Chen Ran slowly said: "I can't say with certainty that I will be able to maintain the competitive state of 2003 in the next few years. However, I always have a sense of crisis and know how to maintain competitiveness for a long time."

"It's mid-November now, a little more than two months before the Australian Open opens."

"Soon, we'll know the answer."

what is the answer? The next Hewitt!

This is the prediction of many European and American media.

Chen Ran, who was so successful in 2003, will make the same mistake as Hewitt in 2004.

Hewitt stopped in the top 16 of this year's Australian Open, and once fell beyond the eyes of countless people.

However, many people at the time thought it was just the tiger taking a nap, but the fact is that this was the beginning of Hewitt's fall from the cliff.

Throughout the season, Hewitt only won one district 250 championship.

Can you believe this is the full-year report card handed over by two Grand Slam winners, a player who has won the year-end number one and the year-end championship for two consecutive years?

With the precedent of Hewitt, and the fact that during this period, Chen Ran was indeed a bit idle. He was either rumored to have affairs with actresses, or he was obsessed with side jobs such as being an agent for online games, and he also had a leisurely time to release a single. This made many people think that sooner or later, Chen Ran would Go Hewitt's way.

In fact, the Chinese reporters were quite reserved. They spoke very cryptically and would not mention "Hewitt" by name.

But these European and American media were not polite at all, especially the American reporters who always went their own way, and named "Hewitt" directly and openly.

Although they were targeting Chen Ran, the one who was hit hardest was the Australian hare.

"Didn't I just be in the doldrums for a season? It makes me feel like I'm going to retire! Damn, these disgusting reporters!"

Hewitt also participated in the year-end competition. Fortunately, he had good self-control and controlled his emotions.

But at that moment, he really had the urge to take out a tennis racket from his backpack and hit the American reporter.

This time, Chen Ran had to act like a good guy.

"Everyone has a downturn. You see Brazilian star Ronaldo also staged the return of the king."

"I believe that next year Leiden will still be the most competitive player in professional tennis."

Although he said so, he knew very well that according to the original historical trajectory, the Australian hare would indeed no longer have a glorious moment.

Grand Slam, year-end, and Masters, he never won a heavyweight championship in the future.

People thought he would dominate professional tennis, but he ended up disappearing.

After the interview, Chen Ran left the press conference room without saying a word, while still holding the shining silver "Year-End No. 1" trophy.

He silently told himself that he would not become the next Hewitt!

……

(End of this chapter)