Return to 2002: Freestyle Superstar

Chapter 457 China Tour Plan! (4K)

PS: I really racked my brains in order to come up with new ideas!
……

After Chen Ran regained the number one spot in the world, he did not show any excitement. He seemed very calm and accepted the blessings from fans and reporters calmly.

"I'm very happy to regain the number one spot in the world, and it also proves my own strength."

"People often say that the 500 race is a place where many top players can easily overturn. Fortunately, I didn't let that happen."

"I am very happy to reach the finals of the first China Open and hope to have a satisfactory result."

One of the questions from a senior reporter aroused Chen Ran's sigh.

"The year before last, when Yanjing was preparing to apply for the China Open, the organizing committee was actually the same as the one in Shanghai, and was ready to accompany the prince to study." The reporter said.

Chen Ran immediately understood what the other party meant.

"Yes, we can't always let foreign players get money."

The Magic City Heineken Open started in 1998 and has been held for four consecutive years.

However, it was obviously an event held in China, and the local players could only rely on wild cards to pass through the first round like a quick glance, basically playing one game and then going home.

You have worked hard and spent a lot of money to build a stage, but the protagonist is always an outsider.

This is very rare in international level sports competitions held in China.

In other events, even if Chinese athletes cannot win gold and silver, they at least play an important role. In various tennis events, the presence of Chinese athletes is very low, which can even be described as minimal.

But unfortunately, the prize money in tennis is relatively high among various events, and there are also high appearance fees, which all allow foreign players to make money.

This situation did not improve until Chen Ran came out, and after him, Zheng Jie also rose rapidly.

Tennis events held in China are no longer about losing money and making noise.

Only Chen Ran knew that for a long time in his previous life, whether it was the China Tennis Open or the Shanghai Tennis Masters, a huge amount of money was invested every year, but he still accompanied the prince to study, at least for men's events.

In fact, the women's performance is similar, but they don't perform very well in local competitions. (Li Na’s best result at the China Open was only the semi-finals)
This situation has not changed in more than 20 years, and it is even foreseeable that it will remain so for a long time to come.

But so what?

Although the reality is so cruel, the organizing committees in China are still gritting their teeth and continuing to organize various ATP and WTA tours.

It can even be said that the number of ATP and WTA events held in China is more than that of other Asian countries combined.

However, in this time and space, many things were inadvertently changed by Chen Ran.

This time the men's and women's finals of the China Open all featured Chinese players.

This stage is no longer for the Chinese to set up the stage, but for foreigners to sing.

The championship bonus of up to US$30 is also the envy of other athletes.

You know, in this day and age, money is still very valuable.

Even if many athletes win Olympic championships, their various bonuses and endorsements rarely exceed 200 million yuan.

Most of the entertainers in the entertainment industry who can make it into the Forbes Celebrity List only have an annual income of around 200 million.

For example, Li Yapeng, a popular niche student, complained to Chen Ran more than once when attending events that his income as an actor was too low.

Forbes judged his annual income to be only 200 million, which is definitely an exaggeration.

Also in Chen Ran's view, generous bonuses can allow more young people to get involved in tennis.

However, in this interview, Chen Ran once again showed his non-stop personality.

"The prize money at the China Open is among the best among all ATP500 tournaments, which is very good."

“But what I want to say is that although tennis is known as a winner-take-all sport, for the better development of this sport, I still hope that the organizing committee can increase the first and second round bonuses. ”

"Of course it's not just the China Open, I hope it will be like this in all tours, whether it's the 1000, 500, or 250."

"Similarly, I'm delighted that so many spectators love tennis and are willing to pay for tickets to watch the game live."

"I also saw many children in the audience. I hope that in a few years, some of these little guys will become outstanding professional players."

After competing domestically and reaching the finals, Chen Ran was in a very good mood and spoke eloquently in interviews with reporters.

"Chen Ran, I am a reporter from Chengdu." Another reporter asked, "I want to say that Chengdu will also have an ATP250 tournament starting this year, but your choice has always been Shanghai and Yanjing."

"But you have to know that your fans are all over the country, and the fans in Chengdu also really hope that you can go there to compete."

After the Chengdu reporter asked the question, another reporter immediately raised his hand: "Hello, Chen Ran, I am a reporter from Ningjiang! There are also many fans in Ningjiang who are looking forward to your coming."

Ningjiang, Zhejiang Province, is a city adjacent to Chen Ran’s hometown of Dongzhou City.

This is also where he played his first tennis match.

Ningjiang, like Chengdu, will also officially host the ATP250 tournament starting this year.

This year, there will be four ATP events in China. If this grand scene were to be seen in the previous life, it would have taken ten years for it to appear.

But now, because of Chen Ran, everything is ahead of schedule.

However, Chen Ran's energy was limited after all. Although every place offered very generous appearance fees to invite him to participate, Chen Ran could only choose two of them in the end.

Following the memory of his previous life, he naturally chose only events held in the Magic City and Yanjing.

However, today, when Chen Ran faced reporters from other places, he found that he seemed to be a little wrong...

What is the difference between this and hating the poor and loving the rich?
I can't just keep focusing on Modu and Yanjing.

Throughout China, there are so many cities and so many people who love tennis.

They all hope that Chen Ran can go to their city to play.

You can't just limit yourself to the two big cities of Shanghai and Yanjing.

All the well-known singers in the entertainment industry know how to tour the country!
You can't lose to them.

"Sorry, I was indeed negligent!"

Chen Ran surprised everyone and took the initiative to express his apology, "Not just Shanghai and Yanjing, I should also go to other cities to compete."

Ningjiang, that is where dreams begin.

Because of this relationship, the city also fought hard to win the qualification to host the ATP Tour.

Chen Ran's hometown is only an hour's bus ride away from Ningjiang. It's not an exaggeration to say that he is half a Ningjiang native.

This also reminded him of a past incident.

When Li Na retired in 2014, many people were actually very disappointed and lost. Her hometown Wuhan had just gone through all kinds of hardships to apply for the WTA Super 2014 Tour, and was the first Wuhan Open. But at this critical time, Li Na retired directly, not even persisting for a few more months. willing.

In the end, it turned out that all the overwhelming advertisements were centered around Li Na, but when the competition started, the protagonist was not there.

Fortunately, the overall strength of the Chinese women's tennis team at that time was pretty good, and there were a few other golden flowers that could barely hold up the scene, but overall it was really overshadowed.

Chen Ran's words just now made all the reporters in the audience excited.

"This year's competition plan has been decided, and I will seriously consider it next year."

"Uh... By the way, there will be the National Games next year! I'm looking forward to meeting the audience in Nanjing!"

"You will participate in next year's National Games?" A reporter confirmed again in disbelief, "Is this true? You will not participate in the European indoor season?"

Previously, many people believed that Chen Ran would not participate in next year's Nanjing National Games because of the time conflict with the European Indoor Season.

But what no one knows is that Chen Ran doesn’t even want to go to next year’s European Indoor Championships.

"Of course I have to keep what I promised before." Chen Ran said with a smile. "For me, playing in front of domestic fans is more interesting than participating in indoor games in Europe."

"Besides, in my opinion, tennis should be an outdoor sport. Just like football, playing indoors feels really weird."

But it just so happens that the year-end finals are also indoors.

At this moment, Chen Ran suddenly understood Nadal's complaint: Why can't the year-end finals be arranged on a clay court?
Among the three giants, Federer has 6 year-ends and Djokovic has 6 years-ends, but Nadal is the only one with eye-catching balls.

Chen Ran could only partially understand Nadal.

Because he does not require that he play on clay at the end of the year, but it is best to play outdoors. He is personally not used to playing indoors. This may be why his performance at the end of the year was not very ideal last year.

Facing the sun, facing the wind, and swinging the racket, this is the charm of tennis.

How is it different from table tennis or badminton if you play ball indoors in the dull air?
Chen Ran's words also made the reporters present laugh.

These people usually play tennis together and like to be outdoors. This feeling is completely different.

Even friends who usually play basketball also like to play outdoors, although professional basketball games are all held indoors.

However, everyone also knows that once Chen Ran's words are spread today, netizens will inevitably split into two camps.

Many people should be happy and may start booking tickets for next year's National Games men's tennis match in advance, but some fans will criticize Chen Ran, thinking that he is picking up sesame seeds and losing the watermelon.

Would anyone give up the European indoor season for the National Games?

What a fantasy!
If Chen Ran gave up the US Open for the China Open before, it was due to physical fatigue from participating in the Olympic Games, and it was also the reason why the first China Open was of great significance.

But this move is really a bit hard to understand.

Of course, if Chen Ran gets enough points before the start of the European indoor season next year, no one else will object if he insists on his choice.

At the end of the day, it's your performance on the court.

If you have strength, you can be willful.

"At least the audience in Nanjing will be very excited, and the organizing committee will also be very happy!"

The reporter who just asked the question also laughed, and then he continued to ask: "What about your competition plan next year? As you just said, your competition cities should not be limited to Shanghai and Yanjing."

Chen Ran turned around and called the staff to confirm the relevant information.

After all, there were too many tours, and he had to understand them.

Next year, starting from 2005, the Magic City will hold the year-end finals.

From 2005 to 2008, four consecutive terms.

During these four years, Shenzhen, another super first-tier city, will temporarily host ATP1000 events. In addition, Yanjing has 500 events, and Ningjiang and Chengdu have 250 events.

Chen Ran's promise is that in the next few years, in addition to the 1000 race in Shenzhen, he will definitely participate in the 500 race and the 250 race in the other three stations, and he will take turns participating in the race and race every year.

For example, this year it is Yanjing, then next year it will be Ningjiang, followed by Chengdu.

On the eve of the final, Chen Ran also gave reporters from all over the world a reassurance, which will definitely make fans across the country rejoice.

In addition, Chen Ran gave another exhibition plan.

In tennis, exhibition matches are very common, and the prize money for the championship is very generous, and the athletes also fight hard.

For example, Chen Ran remembered that Wu Yibing participated in an exhibition competition in the United States in 2023 and defeated local American player Fritz and won the championship with a bonus of more than 30 US dollars.

This is higher than the prize money of many 500 races.

Saudi Arabia, the tycoon in the Middle East, also holds tennis exhibition matches every year. The prize money they give is no less than that of the Grand Slam tournaments, and players from all walks of life flock to the event.

The only difference is that tennis exhibition matches are not scored and will not be recorded by the ATP system.

There are no points, so the prize money for exhibition games is very considerable, and the intensity of the competition is far from that of the tour.

So this is also loved by many famous players.

After all, who doesn’t love the opportunity to make a lot of money easily?

But what Chen Ran is interested in this time is not the prize money from the exhibition match.

As long as the bonus is decent, he is not short of money anyway.

He knows that he should go on a "national tour", but it is simply unrealistic for you to ask all first- and second-tier cities in China to host ATP tour events.

then what should we do?

Exhibition games are a very good plan.

Every year during the European indoor season, take a leave of absence and go on tour in major cities, just like those famous singers’ concert tours.

What about his opponent?
Fans and friends from China mainly come to see him.

You are the protagonist.

It doesn't matter whether they are famous or not, any Chinese player or a foreign player outside the top 100 can be their guest in the exhibition, so the appearance fee and bonus won't be too much.

Then, with the help of the east wind of touring across the country, tennis can be better promoted and brought into thousands of households.

Yes, do that!
"I still have to discuss specific matters with the brokerage company!"

When Chen Ran announced this earth-shattering news, all the reporters present opened their mouths and fell into petrification.

They were here to cover the China Open finals, and they actually got such exciting news.

……

(End of this chapter)