Return to 2002: Freestyle Superstar

Chapter 464: Crazy Americans!
"Chen Fei Duel" has become the biggest selling point in today's men's professional tennis world, and has also become the best product for ATP to promote tennis to the world.

In the original time and space, Federer dominated the men's tennis world for nearly two years. Until the rise of Nadal, the "Fener Showdown" became the main theme of professional tennis.

A few years later, when Djokovic also joined their ranks, he joined the ranks of the two giants as a latecomer, so he was disliked by many fans and media like a third party.

This situation improved only after Djokovic surpassed his opponent in the number of Grand Slams.

Now, the giant showdown between Chen Ran and Federer is ahead of schedule, so in the future, both Nadal and Djokovic will be latecomers.

At present, Houston does regard the duel between Chen Ran and Federer as a boo, and ticket sales are centered around this point.

As a result, when Chen Ran announced his retirement, many local fans gathered at ticket sales points to protest, demanding refunds or discounts.

After all, the most focused showdown is gone, and the people of the United States, who have always liked to defend their own interests, are not willing to pay for such high-priced tickets.

This also gave the Houston organizing committee a headache, and they simply hated Chen Ran.

It’s not like your kid is too injured to run, why don’t you come to the competition!
The year-end bonus is very substantial.

If you play in a group match, even if you lose, your guaranteed appearance fee will be as much as the quarter-final bonus of a Grand Slam.

Of course, they also know that these bonuses are not very attractive to Chen Ran today, unless he reaches the finals.

"We hope Chen Ran can reverse this decision!"

"His body should still be able to continue playing. It's not a serious injury."

Houston's organizing committee said more than once.

Beautiful country, who has always been arrogant, actually changed his arrogant look when he asked for help.

They actually asked a Chinese player to participate in the game they organized.

Even the mayor of Houston came out to lobby in person, hoping that Chen Ran could come to participate in the competition.

"Houston and the Devils are both sister cities, and you and Yao Ming are the most popular athletes among the people of Houston."

After all, Chen Ran only had minor injuries, and it is common for athletes around the world to fight with injuries.

As for the physical fatigue caused by continuous battles, it is nothing in their eyes.

Isn’t this what athletes should do?
Looking at the major professional leagues in our beautiful country, it has become commonplace to play with injuries.

As for athletes who aggravate their injuries and retire early due to their gradual decline in physical condition due to playing with injuries, is that none of their business?

Just make money!

However, even if the mayor of Houston came forward in person, he still could not change Chen Ran's decision.

Mayor of Houston, how much face do you have?

Chen Ran continued to stick to his own ideas and firmly stated that his season was over this year.

"Chen Ran, do you have any opinions about our United States?"

"First he missed the US Open, and then he missed the end of the year. What does it mean to be the number one active player?"

The arrogant organizing committee of the beautiful country felt very unhappy that Chen Ran did not give him any face.

I especially remember that at the end of last year, Chen Ran was undoubtedly the box office guarantee, even local superstar Roddick was far behind.

Now, Chen Ran's popularity has reached a higher level, and the gap between Roddick and him has been further widened.

But no matter how the Houston organizing committee puts pressure on the ATP, the latter can only say that it must respect Chen Ran's decision, and it is also a good choice to leave such a precious opportunity to other players in the year-end finals.

From the ATP's perspective, they are definitely on Chen Ran's side.

Although the year-end finals is a world tour, this year is the last year in Houston, and the next five years will be in Magic City. After Magic City, you will choose between London and Turin.

If they force Chen Ran to compete, it will be counterproductive and they will be criticized by the outside world. Which is more important, ATP knows very well.

"We must respect the players' choices. Even without Chen Ran, we believe that the year-end finals will still be exciting."

"As for Chen Ran's previous complaint that he doesn't like playing indoors, that's normal! There are also many players who don't like playing on clay. It all depends on personal preference and we can't force it."

ATP decisively started Tai Chi.

After the two sides argued for a long time, after confirming that Chen Ran would not participate in the competition, the Houston organizing committee complained sourly: Your kid's professionalism is far inferior to that of Yao Ming!
They saw in Yao Ming the fine tradition of Chinese athletes staying in the firing line despite minor injuries. After all, Yao Ming did not play with injuries once or twice.

They couldn't see any virtue in this aspect in Chen Ran.

This guy is more selfish than the athletes from our beautiful country!
As for France, Chen Ran has withdrawn from the year-end finals, so it is normal to withdraw from the Paris Masters.

They are very self-aware and do not jump up and down like those in the beautiful country.

……

Chen Ran has been staying in Shanghai since the Heineken competition.

Occasionally I go to the company, and occasionally I go to the stadium for training. My life is very pleasant.

In an interview with an acquaintance reporter, Chen Ran even joked that when he no longer aimed to be "number one at the end of the year", he felt relaxed.

"You have every chance of winning the year-end this year, and the odds are pretty good."

"Don't you want to miss such a great opportunity?"

"After all, you were in great shape in the Magic City this year!"

When faced with the interview, Chen Ran replied very calmly: "I am still young and there will be opportunities in the future. I just want to have a good rest now."

He looked around intently for a moment.

Apparently several foreign reporters were secretly filming themselves.

Chen Ran seemed to have guessed something.

It seems that my move to withdraw from the year-end has ruined the beautiful national spirit.

In their impression, shouldn’t you Chinese athletes yearn for and flock to compete in the United States?

You see, Yao Ming would rather retire than come to the United States to play ball.

But what's going on with you, Chen Ran?

He actually didn't take the competition held in the United States seriously.

Forget it about the US Open, but you even quit at the end of the year!
This subverted their previous understanding.

"Chen Ran is actually not injured at all!"

"You see he is training normally every day, and he looks so relaxed!"

Not far away, the American reporters were muttering very dissatisfiedly.

They decided to add fuel to the fire and send what they saw and heard back to the United States as soon as possible.

"We must let the world know about this Chinese boy's deception!"

"He just doesn't want to come to the United States to compete."

These people thought angrily.

……

(End of this chapter)