Return to 2002: Freestyle Superstar

Chapter 357 The Vice Chairman of the Trade Union and the Chinese Second Brother

March of 2004 was a warm day in spring.

China's sports world is bustling with activity.

For example, the official opening of the first Chinese Super League made many people look forward to the future of the national football team, and even shouted the slogan of winning the local Asian Cup.

In terms of basketball, the Bayi Dynasty came to an end and was replaced by the Guangdong Dynasty.

In addition, Liu Xiang, one of the "Big Three" in Chinese sports, has also maintained an excellent competitive state and won the championship in one of the Golden Leagues. His personal popularity is also rising steadily.

This even made Yao Ming himself laugh at himself humorously: "You always talk about the Big Three, but now it seems that I am the only one with no major honors."

Of course, this is also a joke.

Basketball, especially men's basketball, is too difficult to win world-class honors. Maybe it's just a little easier than men's football.

However, at the turn of the century, which is full of hope, almost everyone believes that the future of China's professional sports will be very bright, just like China's economy.

……

Chen Ran always felt that something would happen in this "Sunshine Double Match".

This feeling had been surrounding him ever since he boarded the plane.

"I'm already a target, and everyone is studying me."

Chen Ran knew this very well.

Although the "Sunshine Double" has always been known as the fifth Grand Slam, it is not a Grand Slam after all.

The Chinese media, which had just experienced the climax, did not show any obvious interest in this "Sunshine Double Match".

Judging from the reporters following the trip, it may only be half of what it was during the Australian Open.

Those guys' appetites have been picked up by Chen Ran.

Perhaps now only the four Grand Slams, year-end, or Olympic level competitions can make these Chinese media excited.

Shortly after arriving in Indian Wells, Chen Ran had a new identity—vice president of the players union.

The current chairman of the players union is Spanish star Ferrero, and because Chen Ran often speaks out for tennis players, he was recommended by Ferrero as vice president.

It is foreseeable that if no accidents occur in the future, Chen Ran will successfully become the chairman of the players union.

From now on, Chen Ran has a new identity and an extra salary.

He sometimes needs to speak from the perspective of a player or the sport of tennis, rather than just thinking about himself like before.

In fact, Chen Ran thought about declining.

Being an executive committee member is enough now. After all, Chen Ran is still too young. Being the "vice chairman" seems to come too soon.

The so-called greater ability, greater responsibility.

The early arrival of the Chinese season gave Chen Ran a huge reputation.

However, when faced with questions from foreign reporters, he still very cleverly avoided these questions and just said calmly: We will have a good talk with the ATP for a better future for tennis.

As for the content? No comment at the moment.

"My focus is still on the game."

"In the North American season, I have to protect a huge number of points, a full 2000 points!"

"My head feels heavy just thinking about it."

Do you have a big head?

The reporters murmured.

Why does it sound like showing off: Listen up, I won the Sunshine Double Crown last year.

This time the Indian Wells Masters is full of stars.

Except for veteran Agassi, all the top players in the world are here.

In terms of lineup, it’s not much different from the Australian Open.

In addition, Chinese men's tennis players also appeared in the qualifying rounds of the Indian Wells Masters, which attracted the interest of many Chinese fans. There are three rounds of qualifying for the four Grand Slams, while the Indian Wells Masters has two rounds of qualifying.

In addition, starting from this year, the "Sunshine Double Tournament" will be officially upgraded to the Super Masters Tournament, with up to 96 main draw draws.

If calculated based on playing all the games, the top 32 need to play 6 rounds, while the others need to play 7 rounds. This is almost the same as the Grand Slam tournament. The only difference is that the Grand Slam tournament is five rounds. Win three games.

An unexpected surprise happened!

The 22-year-old Chinese youngster Zeng Shaoxuan won two games in a row and reached the "main draw" of the Indian Wells Masters for the first time.

This is the second Chinese player ever to participate in the Masters.

Compared with Chen Ran's calm demeanor at that time, Zeng Shaoxuan knelt down on the ground in excitement and covered his face in tears.

“I finally get to compete in the Masters!”

"I didn't waste this wild card."

"Thank you to the China Internet Network Association and thank you Chen Ran!"

Indeed, with Zeng Shaoxuan’s world ranking of 291st, if we go by ranking, he would not even be able to qualify for the Masters qualifying round.

However, Zeng Shaoxuan successfully obtained a wild card for the qualifying competition through the operation of the China Tennis Association and sponsors.

Wild card for the main draw?

Don’t think about it, it will definitely be reserved for local American players.

A qualifying wild card is already extremely valuable.

However, although the wild cards in the qualifying round are precious, the prize money for the competition is pitifully small, just over 1000 US dollars.

Most players are not willing to travel long distances to play in qualifying matches. This is obviously a loss-making business.

Although the prize money of the Masters is still generous, it is still very different from the Grand Slam.

Two rounds of qualifying will determine 8 places, which means 32 people will compete for it. This is too cruel.

If it were before, the Chinese Tennis Association would definitely not send athletes.

After all, the cost of this round trip is too high, which is why before Chen Ran, Chinese players often appeared in the qualifying rounds of the four majors, but they were basically missing on the tour.

The main issue is economic cost.

Because Grand Slam competitions, even qualifying tournaments, have tens of thousands of dollars in rewards, which is very impressive.

However, if the tour only plays qualifying rounds, or even a round trip, it will be a serious loss for most players, unless it is held locally.

Now because of Chen Ran’s butterfly effect, the Chinese Tennis Association has sufficient funds.

So they are also trying to let their players participate in more competitions like the Masters.

If you only participate in the qualifying matches of the four Grand Slams a year, or occasionally play challenge matches, and rarely participate in tour events, it will be difficult for you to achieve much in your career, and it will basically be considered useless.

Chen Ran looked at Zeng Shaoduan, who was filled with tears of excitement, and couldn't help but sigh.

Before his emergence, there were too few stages left for Chinese tennis players.

Basically, they are all low-level competitions organized by the ITF, and it is almost difficult to appear on the tour stage.

This is the reason why China's tennis is lagging behind.

You lack opportunities to compete with masters.

The so-called stinky chess player becomes more and more smelly as he plays chess.

Fortunately, everything is changing now.

The following media also gave Zeng Shaoxuan a new title: Second Brother of China.

When Zeng Shaoxuan was excited to enter the main draw of the Masters, the draw for the main draw was also announced.

Chen Ran discovered that his opponent was none other than the Swiss flower pants guy "Wawrinka".

……

(End of this chapter)