Return to 2002: Freestyle Superstar

Chapter 448 Withdrawing from "Hong Kong and Macao Tour" and theatrical performances (4K)

The four Grand Slam tournaments in 2004 have officially come to an end, and just over two weeks later, the Asian season is about to begin.

For many professional tennis players, in order to earn points and bonuses, they have to travel around the world to participate in competitions.

At this moment, with the end of the US Open, the ATP's world number one ranking has finally changed after a year and three months.

Swiss Federer replaced Chen Ran and became the new world number one.

But the point difference between the two is very small, only more than two hundred points.

So Federer is also hesitating whether to sign up for the Asian season.

In today's Asian season, there is no Masters. The highest level events are the two ATP500 tournaments, namely the China Open and Tokyo.

Of course, he did not take the initiative to sign up, but chose to wait and see for a while.

Tokyo invited Chen Ran and Federer as usual. Federer agreed, but Chen Ran declined after careful consideration.

He just couldn't get away.

In China alone, you have to participate in the China Open and the Magic City Heineken Open.

What's more, what is clear is that this year will be the last year of the Heineken Open. Starting next year, the year-end finals will officially move to Shanghai, and will be settled for a total of five years, until 2009.

The China Open also understood this, and the appearance fee quoted to Federer was significantly lower than that of Chen Ran, which was also the requirement of the brokerage company.

After all, Chen Ran is China Open’s biggest box office guarantee.

Federer was very dissatisfied with this, so he angrily did not choose to register for the China Open.

What no one knows is that in the previous life of the China Open, Djokovic and Nadal were both frequent visitors to the China Open. Among the three giants, only Federer had never participated in a match at the China Open.

Due to a strange combination of circumstances, Federer continued the trajectory of his previous life, but the reason was that he was dissatisfied that his appearance fee was lower than Chen Ran.

However, his decision was criticized by many Swiss media and fans.

When Chen Ran came to Switzerland to participate in the clay court tournament, he received a symbolic appearance fee of tens of thousands of Swiss francs, but why were you so greedy?
What's more, although you are now the world's No. 1, you must know that you have never defeated Chen Ran in a Grand Slam tournament, and the Grand Slam championship was only won when Chen Ran was absent.
The number one ranking in the world is not worthy of reality!

Because of Chen Ran's "Swiss trip", he gained a lot of Swiss fans.

This group of people actually started to turn their elbows outward.

A few days later, the list of the first China Open was officially announced.

In the first year, both ATP and WTA are 500 events.

But the cosmetic surgery for participating in the competition was extremely luxurious.

Most of the top ten male and female players in the world basically choose to sign up to compete.

Therefore, in later generations, netizens often joke that it is even more difficult to win a match at the China Open than a Grand Slam.

Because in Grand Slam tournaments, players who are ranked outside the top 100 in the world often sign up.

But at the China Open, there are only 32 draws in total.

There is a high probability that you will meet the top 15 players in the first round. If you are lucky enough to pass the first round, you will face the top eight players in the second round.

Therefore, every year, China Open will give several wild cards to Chinese players, but only few can win.

At this moment, Chen Ran has obtained the list of Chinese players from the organizing committee.

There are four Chinese players, both men and women, signing up, and the lineup is unprecedentedly large.

At the same time, as both he and Jinhua Zheng Jie are among the top 10 male and female players, they both receive an additional appearance fee.

Of course, if you only count the bonuses, the bonuses at the China Open are among the best at the ATP500 level.

The prize money for the male and female champions is as high as more than 20 US dollars.

Among the ATP tour divisions, the 500 tournament is already considered the top tournament. Many top players will sign up, and the prize money is a big leap forward compared to the 250 tournament.

Even if you stop at the first round of travel, you still have 1 US dollars.

So this won't be like the 250 game, where players may be offered money if they stop in the first round.

"If you can win the China Open, the world ranking will return to No. 1." Chen Ran's agent said with a smile.

Chen Ran looked at the list and said with a smile: "Actually, I can get back to the first place if I win the runner-up position."

In the second half of September, he had no pressure to maintain points, and the runner-up at the China Open had a full 9 points, which was enough for Chen Ran to overtake Federer.

Of course, this is just a joke.

Deep down in his heart, Chen Ran still hopes to win the first China Open championship.

How long will it take for the Olympics to end?

But it only took more than half a month.

During this period, in addition to participating in officially organized activities, he also accepted an exclusive interview with CCTV. He has been on vacation since then and has not even touched a racket.

Of course, Chen Ran didn't even use the "simulation training ground".

By the way, now his various attribute values, technology, body, and spirit have reached 95 points.

At this time, Chen Ran's attribute values ​​could no longer be improved through training at the "simulation training ground".

It can only be done through actual combat and constant confrontation with opponents, and even so, it is very difficult to continue to improve.

In addition, Chen Ran is made of flesh and blood after all, and all his technical movements, mental will, and physical attributes are based on his high level of training.

If you slack off in training or get injured, your attribute values ​​will also decline.

Of course, this is also related to age.

The older you get, the faster your decline will be when your training becomes lax.

One advantage of the "simulated training ground" is that it can monitor his attribute values ​​at all times, urge him to train, and maintain a sense of crisis at all times.

Unlike other players, such as Hewitt or Hingis, who were clearly at their peak and in good shape without systematic monitoring, but then inexplicably began to decline at light speed.

Chen Ran's biggest advantage is that with the "monitoring system", he can always understand his competitive status.

"Director Sun, I won't go to the Hong Kong tour." After thinking about it for a while, Chen Ran made this decision.

During this period, in 2004, 2008 and 2012, after each Olympic Games, China’s gold medal team would go on a tour to Hong Kong and Macao. The so-called purpose is to increase the relationship between the two sides through such exchanges between the mainland and Hong Kong and Macao. .

Of course, this is just talk. Form is greater than meaning. If you really want to enhance feelings, you don't rely on this method.

So in 2016, the official canceled this event.

In 2004, it was the first time that the China Gold Medal Delegation held a "Hong Kong and Macao Tour", and the Sports Bureau also attached great importance to this.

What impressed Chen Ran the most was that Liu Xiang and Leo Ku sang live together at the Hong Kong Stadium.

He still remembered that song, it was the theme song of "Love is Deep and Rainy".

Maybe Liu Xiang also enjoyed it, but Chen Ran didn't like singing in front of tens of thousands of people in the audience.

But I am not a professional singer, so I can only sing a hammer song!

The entire venue was out of tune, making tens of thousands of people look like they were watching a monkey show?
As for lip-syncing, it’s even more unnecessary.

Although he didn't know what the Sports Bureau would do this time, Chen Ran decided to take the first step and announce his withdrawal from the "Hong Kong and Macau Tour" as soon as possible.

"Not going? Hong Kong is looking forward to it!"

"You and Liu Xiang are the two most watched gold medalists over there." Sun Jinfang was also very helpless, "If you don't go, the people over there will be very disappointed."

Although tennis is indeed a bit special, the schedule of professional players is too busy.

This is unlike other Olympic gold medalists who give themselves a long vacation after the Olympics.

After all, the Olympic Games is the college entrance examination that determines their destiny. After the college entrance examination is over, it will be a long and carefree summer vacation. But for Chen Ran, the sense of urgency is always there.

Go to Hong Kong for sightseeing and enjoy the cheers of the people of Hong Kong and Macao? Chen Ran really doesn't have this leisurely mood.

"Just be disappointed if they are disappointed. I want to rest and prepare for the Chinese Open."

In fact, it only takes four or five days to go to Hong Kong and Macao, and most of the time is spent eating, drinking, having fun, and shopping.

Many athletes are looking forward to this "tour to Hong Kong and Macao" and have already prepared thick wallets for a big fight.

After all, in this era, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan are still quite high-end to many mainlanders, even athletes or entertainers in the entertainment industry are no exception.

Look at those Hong Kong and Taiwan artists who come to the mainland to film or participate in events. Their arrogant attitude always shows how superior they are to others.

Of course, when these guys go to Japan and South Korea, they will be low-key, honest, and smile.

So why should I go to Hong Kong?

"There is still half a month left for the China Open, enough time for a round trip!" Director Sun wanted to try again.

"No, I won't go. It doesn't matter if I'm missing."

Chen Ran shook his head resolutely, "As for the outside world, let's just say that I have lost my No. 1 position in the world and am in a very bad mood. I need to train hard."

Seeing Chen Ran's determined look, Director Sun was helpless, but there was nothing he could do about it.

The other party is an absolutely free superstar, and I can't control the other party.

Hong Kong is such a great place, but it’s really surprising that some athletes don’t want to go there.

"Okay, I respect your decision. Then I will report your situation to the leader and tell you that you have to prepare for the China Open."

"Um……"

……

"good, very good!"

At this moment, in the Sports Bureau building, Deputy Director Cai smiled widely.

The Chinese delegation is about to embark on a "tour to Hong Kong and Macao" for the first time in history.

Therefore, the official side also attaches great importance to it. The only athletes who can visit are Olympic champions and their gold medal coaches.

The runner-up and third runner-up in the Olympic Games are not eligible to go with the main force.

This also tells everyone a truth, in competitive sports, the winner takes all, and the value of the championship is greater than countless runner-up and third place.

If the national table tennis team lost the men's singles gold medal this time, they should be allowed to stay in Yanjing and reflect.

As for the key figures among athletes, they are naturally Chen Ran and Liu Xiang.

Of course, diving champion Tian Liang is very popular among Hong Kong aunties because of his very good looks.

So when we arrive in Hong Kong, the photo interaction between Tian Liang and the Hong Kong aunt will definitely be indispensable.

"There are also artistic performances!"

Deputy Director Cai sighed with emotion, "It's a good thing! There is no separation between culture and sports. When the time comes, let our athletes and Hong Kong artists sing for the people of Hong Kong to enhance the relationship between the people of the mainland and Hong Kong."

A fax has been sent from Hong Kong.

They hope that both Chen Ran and Liu Xiang can sing, and the artists there will cooperate.

Liu Xiang and popular niche actor Leo Ku.

As for Chen Ran, it is with Hong Kong's little king Nicholas Tse.

Chen Ran and Nicholas Tse sing together?
good idea!
This must be very sensational and very anticipated.

Deputy Director Cai was very happy.

Jingle bell bell~
At this time, the phone rang.

喂~
Deputy Director Cai answered the phone.

However, the next second, his smiling face immediately turned ugly.

what's the situation?
Chen Ran quits traveling to Hong Kong and Macao?
How is this possible?

However, the reason given by the opponent was very high-sounding, and he wanted to prepare for the China Open.

This is the first China Open.

It is also the top ATP event held in China.

Chen Ran said that he could not live up to the expectations of the people of the imperial capital.

Tickets for the first China Open are not cheap either.

Many Imperial City fans spent a lot of money to watch the game.

If you go to Hong Kong to eat, drink and have fun, and if you do not perform well at the China Open, what will the people of the imperial capital think? Will they feel that your money is not worth the money and be disappointed with yourself?
Chen Ran said that as a professional player, he must have professionalism.

Which one is more important, the people of Yanjing and the people of Hong Kong and Macao, this big hat is slapped on, which also gives Deputy Director Cai a headache.

Good boy, this reason will never work!
If you reject the US Open, you will use the China Open; now if you reject the "Hong Kong and Macao Tour", you will still use the China Open.

At such a young age, how can one be so conceited?

Deputy Director Cai stroked his forehead, feeling a headache.

After all, the organizing committee of the China Open has a very powerful background, and all of its sponsors are either rich or expensive.

From their point of view, they definitely hope that Chen Ran will not "travel to Hong Kong and Macau".

Of course, this decision rests with Chen Ran and they cannot interfere.

However, Chen Ran made a decision and notified the organizing committee and sponsors of the China Open. The other parties must have strong support.

"Hong Kong and Macau Tour" enhances the relationship between the two places. What does it have to do with the organizing committee of the China Open!
What they are most concerned about is how far Chen Ran can go in the first China Open.

If Chen Ran stops in the first round because of his "tour to Hong Kong and Macau", China Open will suffer huge losses.

Although the slogan of China Open is to make a profit within five years, it also means that it can lose money in the first five years. But this does not mean that they are willing to see Chen Ran, who is in mediocre form, come to participate in the game.

After all, they also paid real money.

The contract between Chen Ran and China Open has been signed for three years. After three years, if Chen Ran can still maintain the level of TOP3, the appearance fee will increase by 50%.

Different from the previous life, Chen Ran has become a crucial key and a decisive figure in the Chinese Open of this time and space.

"Then..."

"I have no choice but to reject the Hong Kong side."

Deputy Director Cai had no choice but to reject the invitation from Hong Kong.

……

When Chen Ran learned the news, he was thankful for his wise decision.

I don’t want to sing with that guy named Xie?

What are you singing? Is it "Green Light"?
If we go to Hong Kong and arrange a performance there, and the other party agrees, I won't be able to refuse directly out of face, otherwise the other party will not be able to come to the stage.

It is obviously most appropriate to withdraw early now.

……

(End of this chapter)