Return to 2002: Freestyle Superstar

Chapter 354 We want our children to learn tennis

An interesting phenomenon.

In the past few years since the turn of the century, whenever Forbes released its annual "Celebrity Earnings List," it would trigger collective protests from the entertainment industry.

After all, in this era, "tax evasion" is completely normal in the entertainment industry, and the biggest fear is being paid back taxes.

That’s why everyone launched various boycotts against the “Forbes List”, and some even threatened to sue the magazine.

However, the reason why Forbes magazine was able to land in China with such great fanfare must have relied on something, and it had also been prepared for various subsequent reactions. Are they really afraid that you will sue?

They even want you to sue, because this is exactly what they want, and it can also create a wave of popularity for their own magazines.

Perhaps Chinese officials also want Forbes magazine to become the Sword of Damocles hanging over the entertainment industry, allowing them to use it to recover taxes at any time.

"Welcome to sue!"

The editor-in-chief of the Chinese version of "Forbes" also gave a positive response confidently and very strongly.

"For those entertainment stars who have objections, you have to quit the entertainment industry. If you continue to stay in the entertainment industry, you will still become opponents under our investigation."

"This year is only the first year of the Forbes Celebrity List. Every year in the future, we will launch the list of that year as always. Readers, please pay attention!"

The response from "Forbes" was extremely tough. This time the stars in the entertainment industry decisively turned off the news.

Those who said they wanted to sue or send a lawyer's letter were never followed up.

At this moment, netizens suddenly realized that these people were just bluffing.

After this storm passed, people began to realize that Chen Ran was leading the list.

But what everyone is confused about is why Chen Ran and his agency chose to remain silent instead of denying it.

Although his agent for Yao Ming, who was ranked second, did not act as exaggeratedly as those stars in the entertainment industry, he also gave a very simple response, "Not as much as what is said above."

So what happened to Chen Ran and his agency?

With such exaggerated income and data that is far ahead of the second place, Chen Ran should actually be the most worthy of focus on this list.

As a result, many reporters also posed questions to Forbes magazine.

"Is the data you prepared for Chen Ran accurate?"

"We believe other people's data, including Yao Ming's, but Chen Ran's data is too exaggerated, a full 2.3 million!"

"The combined total of Jet Li, the second highest earner, and Yao Ming, the third highest earner, is about the same as him."

"Even looking at the global sports world, this income is estimated to be among the top three."

"Forbes" magazine immediately said: "The data cannot be said to be 100% accurate, but it is close to ten. Chen Ran's income is definitely not exaggerated. Hehe... If we had exaggerated, Chen Ran would have already come out. Denied it.”

"But this income is too amazing, isn't it?"

"Normal! His endorsements are world-class. In 2003, he won two Grand Slams and five Masters championships, as well as an appearance fee on the Magic City Tour that was comparable to the Grand Slam championship bonus. Chen Ran's Pre-tax income definitely has that number.”

"Chen Ran is undoubtedly the goat of the Chinese sports world, and his income is the goat of the entire Chinese sports world!"

"Forbes" said so confidently that the reporters looked at each other. It seemed that the other party was so sure about Chen Ran's income.

Playing tennis is so profitable!

Adored!

No wonder there are more and more children playing tennis nowadays.

Then, Forbes started taking photos of Chen Ran’s rainbow fart.

"You can see that the pattern of No. 1 is different, and he didn't come out to deny it."

"So Chen Ran is a well-deserved goat!" "I hope Chen Ran can continue to win more Grand Slams and maintain the world's number one ranking."

"I believe he will dominate this list for a long time to come."

"Unless someone can lead the national football team to win the World Cup... Oh, maybe the semi-finals or even the top eight can do it. After all, football is the number one sport in the world."

A basketball reporter raised an objection: "What about Yao Ming? Do you think Yao Ming will not be able to surpass Chen Ran in the next few years?"

"It's difficult, but Yao Ming should be able to keep his second place."

"It's difficult? Isn't it even possible to win the NBA championship?"

"It will be difficult for the Rockets to win the NBA championship, or even enter the finals. In addition...basketball is also a team sport after all, and the national team's performance may drag him down."

"Forbes" is indeed the world's top magazine, and its vision is indeed vicious.

In addition, in this interview, "Forbes" also dropped a bombshell.

According to their evaluation, with Chen Ran's current comprehensive strength, the lower limit is Agassi, and the upper limit may surpass Sampras, as long as there are no injuries.

"This is real?"

"Seven-time Grand Slam winner Agassi is already Chen Ran's lower limit?"

Many people were also shocked.

Today, Chen Ran already holds three Grand Slams, which ranks high even in the history of men's professional tennis.

However, given the cruelty of men's tennis, it will become more and more difficult for many players to continue winning Grand Slams as they reach the later stages.

Because all your opponents are studying you and studying each of your technical characteristics very thoroughly.

You see, Agassi had a three-year window, and Sampras, at the peak of his career, often could only win one Grand Slam in a year.

Although Chen Ran seems to have unlimited success today, he may be swept aside by those fledgling rising stars one day in the future.

Stories like this have been repeated in the professional tennis world.

Is there any optimism for Forbes magazine?

At this moment, Chen Ran, who had just kept a low profile for a while, once again became the focus of public opinion.

It's not just about rankings and earnings, there's also a lot of discussion surrounding how many Grand Slams he can win.

When Chen Ran showed up at the National Training Center, he was not only surrounded by the media, but also felt strange looks from many other athletes.

There is jealousy, but of course it is more envy.

It is now 2004, and China has been internationalizing for some time. In fact, people have accepted the huge differences between sports and sports.

Chen Ran has top honors, but Yao Ming's income is also far ahead.

In addition, the income of national football players, especially those who play in Europe, far exceeds that of Olympic champions.

So Tian Liang, a famous diving star who was preparing for the Athens Olympics, found Chen Ran and said very seriously: "I have no chance, but my future children must let him learn tennis."

……

(End of this chapter)