Return to 2002: Freestyle Superstar

Chapter 336 Penalty Changes and Finals

Before the final started, Chen Ran's company, IMG, submitted a slow-motion video to the ATP and ITF and protested Chen Ran's experience.

This is the benefit of a player being backed by a big agency, not to mention that Chen Ran is still the top player at IMG.

Slow motion showed that when Hewitt's serve clearly went out of bounds, the referee absurdly gave an ACE ball, which also ruined Chen Ran's previous efforts to break serve.

Another ball, Chen Ran's lob, was clearly in bounds and was called out of bounds by the referee without even touching the baseline.

This was the semifinals of a Grand Slam tournament, and such a ridiculous scene happened.

Even if he suffered misjudgments at the end of the year before, this time at the Australian Open is too blatant. He is bringing shame to a great event and a great sport.

Chen Ran almost failed to win this crucial semi-final.

Damn the referee almost ruined a wonderful semi-final!

IMG has obviously stood up for Chen Ran. They don't want unfair treatment of their players to become the norm.

The ATP and ITF also immediately stated that they would deal with the matter seriously.

They can tolerate ordinary misjudgments, but this kind of absurd and deliberate misjudgment is unacceptable to them.

However, the four Grand Slams are hosted by local organizing committees, the International Tennis Federation is only a co-organizer, and the ATP is only responsible for awarding Grand Slam tournament points, so they can only transfer IMG's protest to the Australian Organizing Committee.

However, because the referee's black whistle was too obvious and ridiculous, under the pressure of IMG and media public opinion, the ATP finally took action.

Although the ATP has no control over the organizing committees of the four Grand Slams, it also announced that it would cancel the referee's law enforcement rights in the 2004 ATP Tour.

Banned from law enforcement for a full year, including all tours!

The ATP Tour is an event organized and operated by themselves. They have this power, which can be regarded as an explanation to Chen Ran.

Similarly, the ATP was satisfied with Chen Ran's general demeanor and remarks after the game, but was also a little surprised.

This young man has a mind far beyond his years, very wise and sophisticated.

"He might really be able to push tennis to another level."

Whether it is the ATP or the ITF, they have become the banner figures of this sport.

In addition, taking advantage of this change, the ATP also hopes to speed up the introduction of the "Eagle Eye System" together with the ITF, and the entire tennis world has also become looking forward to this.

According to reliable information from insiders, the debut of the "Eagle Eye System" will not be at the end of the year, nor at the US Open, but may even be brought forward to this year's Athens Olympics.

Could it be that Chen Ran's relationship contributed to the early launch of the "Eagle Eye System"?

In this way, the name Chen Ran, the semi-final match, and the referee will all be recorded in history.

In an instant, countless Chinese media outlets that had been filled with indignation before published articles excitedly.

"Final result! The shameful referee will be banned from officiating on the ATP Tour!"

"Chen Ran is not only number one in the world, he has also promoted a historic leap in tennis. He will become a landmark figure in tennis!"

"Great change starts with Chen Ran!"

"Because of Chen Ran's efforts, the 'Eagle Eye System' will arrive at the Athens Olympics ahead of schedule!"

"From now on, misjudgments in tennis matches may become a thing of the past!"

Before the finals, countless media rushed to report on it and were full of praise for Chen Ran's actions.

Suddenly, almost all attention was focused on Chen Ran, while Federer was ignored.

Now comparing the two heavyweight honors, Chen Ran has five Masters and two Grand Slams, while Federer has three Masters and one at the end of the year.

Chen Ran has an absolute advantage.

In particular, the Grand Slam symbolizes the highest honor in tennis and is a major event held four times a year. Even though its prize money is not as good as that at the end of the year, its influence is unrivaled.

……

At this moment, both of them had just stepped onto the court and were preparing to warm up.

Federer looked at Chen Ran and couldn't help but touch his chin with a wry smile.

This opponent is always making all kinds of news and becoming the focus of public opinion.

Isn’t it said that Easterners are very reserved? Why can't I see it at all on Chen Ran?

He is really good at stealing the show.

But this is good, at least it can bring more attention to tennis and make it more popular.

Having such talents in the ATP is a huge benefit without any harm.

As for him, he should continue to be an elegant and good gentleman.

Federer then thought of himself.

Standing on the final stage of a Grand Slam for the third time, he will once again challenge for the championship and world number one. Can he succeed this time?

He glanced around the entire place.

Although there is still some time before the game, there are already many spectators in the huge Rod Laver Arena.

The media area was already packed with reporters from all over the world.

In particular, nearly 200 Chinese media reporters came, and there were Chinese fans in the entire stadium.

In comparison, there were far fewer journalists and fans in Switzerland.

It really makes a big difference to have a big country behind it.

But this further ignited Federer's fighting spirit.

He wants both the championship and first place.

The game time is 7pm local time in Australia and 4pm Yanjing time.

But because it is summer in the southern hemisphere, night does not fall in Melbourne. Looking up, the sunset glow all over the sky seems to be burning, rolling and looking extremely beautiful.

Chen Ran moved his muscles and bones and stretched his body at the same time. Feeling the magnificence and ingenuity of nature, he felt extremely comfortable inside.

Fresh oxygen surged in, and the whole person relaxed.

In the final, he was playing in this environment again, and he felt that he was in great shape.

Likewise, he also vaguely felt that the air was starting to burn hotly.

At this moment, the ground temperature was 36 degrees Celsius, and the residual high temperature during the day could still be felt. The water vapor floating in the air made the air appear humid and stuffy.

If you stay outdoors for thirty minutes, your T-shirt will be soaked with sweat and your whole body will be steaming.

Melbourne Park was bustling with people coming and going, and it seemed like it was back to the first day of the Australian Open two weeks ago.

It's just that today's flow of people all flows in the same direction along different paths.

A road leads to Rod Laver Stadium, where spectators holding tickets are preparing to enter in an orderly manner;

A road leads to a large screen in the open space of the park. Fans who cannot watch the game live without tickets flock in from all directions.

All these have heightened the atmosphere of the finals to the extreme.

"Chen Ran, come on!"

"Go win this damn championship!"

If Chen Ran can win the Australian Open, it will be a triple crown.

This means that even if he is placed in the history of professional tennis, he can occupy a place.

In addition, among the current professional players, Chen Ran will be tied for third place with Brazil's clay court king Kuerten, second only to Agassi.

Chen Ran knew that there was one record after another in front of him waiting for him to chase.

"So far, whether it's a Grand Slam or a tour, if I don't reach the final, as long as I reach the final, I haven't lost."

"Hopefully this record will last forever."

In this game, French queen Alijie actually came to the scene, and before the game, Chen Ran also received a text message from her.

But she was inconspicuous in the vast crowd. Chen Ran only knew that this elf-like girl should be sitting in a certain inconspicuous corner.

She came to see my game, so I can't let her go home disappointed.

And those Australian fans are pretty interesting too.

Although they were angry that Chen Ran eliminated Hewitt, they still chose to support Chen Ran in the finals.

Because only in this way can it be explained that Hewitt lost to the final champion, and they can feel better.

After the two sides shook hands, the game officially started.

Currently, the head-to-head record between Chen Ran and Federer is 3-1.

Chen Ran won once at the French Open and twice at the Masters, but lost to Federer in the year-end finals.

Today is the fifth time they have met, and the second time they have met in a Grand Slam final.

The strong atmosphere of the final made both players excited unconsciously.

Competitive sports can always make people's blood pumping.

"Viewers, welcome back to the 'Australian Open Show'. We are now in Melbourne Park, bringing you the first frontline report." The ESPN host on the spot explained endlessly.

"Although Chen Ran is a two-time Grand Slam champion and the current world number one, no one can deny Roger's unparalleled competitive form in this Australian Open."

"In the previous rounds, only one was 3-1, and the other games were all 3-2."

"Besides..." the host's tone was a bit sour, "His luck signing is much more difficult than Chen Ran's."

“In Grand Slam finals, it often happens that whoever wins will become number one, and this happened again today.”

"Whether Chen Ran will maintain the first place, or whether the professional tennis world will usher in a new first place, let us wait and see."

"Okay, Federer starts serving first."

Not long ago, Haining, a famous player from Belgium, once again won the women's singles championship and successfully sealed the title.

By the way, this is also Henin's third Grand Slam.

Now, Chen Ran will also launch an attack on the third Grand Slam.

He held the racket in both hands and shook his body slightly from side to side.

Chen Ran's receiving action, both in form and expression, is very similar to that of Djokovic at his peak.

Only in this way can he maximize his serve-receiving level.

Federer's serve is of a very high level, with almost impeccable placement and spin.

You must know that after the first six rounds, Federer was broken only in a few games.

However, the score in the first game was unexpectedly 40 to 40!

In the blink of an eye, Chen Ran scored three points in the opponent's service game and dragged him into an extra game.

Federer even took off his headband and began wiping away the sweat.

In this final, starting from the first point of the first game, the two sides launched a thrilling duel.

……

(End of this chapter)