Return to 2002: Freestyle Superstar

Chapter 486: Beat the Clay Masters

So far, Monte Carlo is the only Masters tournament in which Chen Ran has not won a championship.

However, Chen Ran didn't take this too seriously. After all, for giant-level players, "Master Jin" has never been the criterion.

Just like Djokovic in the previous life had two gold masters, Federer and Nadal didn't even have one gold master. But when people evaluate the status of the Big Three, they only look at the number of Grand Slams.

Because of this, whether to participate in this event depends entirely on his physical condition.

This time, Chen Ran can be said to be traveling lightly, without any pressure, and also participated in this event as the No. 1 seed.

Clay court, long time no see!

Although in the past nearly a year, Chen Ran has also used the "simulation training ground" to train on clay courts from time to time.

The Monte Carlo Masters is not a super Masters tournament like the "Sunshine Double", Madrid and Magic Masters. It only has 56 draws.

For Chen Ran, with a bye in the first round, he only needs to play four rounds to enter the finals. This is no different from the 500 and 250 games.

Although he just lost the final of the Miami Masters, he is still the most watched player in Monte Carlo.

Chen Ran arranged several public training sessions before the game, and the training grounds were all surrounded by spectators.

There were cheers, whistles, and boos.

"Chen, haven't you ever thought about buying a house in Monte Carlo?" A foreign coach in Chen Ran's team asked, "This is definitely an excellent place for training."

Monte Carlo, a small town located in the Principality of Monaco, is also a tax haven. With its suitable environment, complete training facilities, and casual urban atmosphere, it has indeed attracted many athletes, especially tennis players.

You usually live here, you can participate in the Monte Carlo Masters and prepare for the French Open. It is simply killing two birds with one stone.

Chen Ran looked around and nodded silently: "I'll think about it..."

Although the Monaco football team will participate in Ligue 1, Monaco is indeed an independent country. They have not contracted any of the bad habits of France, such as Africanization and greening.

Those who can settle in Monaco are either rich or noble, which also makes Chen Ran a little tempted.

If you buy a house here, you can come and live there for a period of time every clay court season.

When I retire in the future, it’s not impossible to sell the house here.

In areas where wealthy people gather and immigrants are not introduced casually, house prices are unlikely to fall.

After a few minutes……

"I will ask the team members to inquire and find a suitable house." Chen Ran spoke, which also shocked the assistant coach.

He thought that the other party said that it would take a few days to consider, but he didn't expect that he made up his mind in just a few minutes.

"Chen... I think we can wait until this tournament is over before looking for a house."

"why?"

"If you win the championship, maybe you can get some discounts on buying a house. Haha... Judging from your training status, I think you have a great chance of winning this time."

"Oh, why do you say that?"

"I found that your clay court strength has improved a lot compared to last year, and you are already very strong."

The foreign assistant coach paused, and then continued, "You haven't touched clay for almost a year. Why do you feel that you don't feel unfamiliar at all, but are even better than before?"

Chen Ran's heart moved, then he raised his racket and smiled: "I love clay! So when I step on the clay, that strong sense of hunger and excitement drives me to devote myself to training."

"A moment of silence for your opponent."

……

A year ago, Chen Ran won the Madrid and Rome Masters championships in the clay court season, showing his outstanding ability on clay courts.

One year later, Chen Ran was able to continue to improve his competitiveness on clay courts, which surprised many people.

In the second round, he eliminated Spanish star Costa with two scores 6-1.

In the third round, he defeated Brazilian star Kuerten in two consecutive sets, 6-2, 6-3.

In the fourth round, Chen Ran defeated French top player Grosjean with two 2-6 scores.

These clay-court masters from Latin countries had no ability to resist in front of Chen Ran.

Chen Ran easily secured a spot in the top four.

Although tennis players are required to constantly run on clay courts, the pressure on their knees will be much lighter than on hard courts because they frequently use sliding steps during running.

At this moment, Chen Ran has already mastered the sliding technique on the clay court.

This is true whether it's in front of the net, at the baseline, or in the service box. In the semi-finals, Chen Ran VS Argentinian star Gaudio and Nadal VS Federer.

One was last year's French Open runner-up, and the other was last year's French Open champion.

But at this moment, both the fans and the media are optimistic that these two young new kings of clay will compete in the finals.

The progress of the game was as expected.

Both Chen Ran and Nadal took only an hour and a half to sweep their opponents 2-0.

French Open champion and runner-up, the name does not live up to the reality.

In comparison, the Swiss king Federer was a little more tenacious, but the entire game was still firmly controlled by Nadal, with almost no chance of winning.

The two clay court geniuses finally met for the final.

Before the game, Chen Ran's team members also revealed to the Monte Carlo locals his idea of ​​buying real estate here. The latter immediately said that with Chen Ran's popularity, there would be no problem. If he could win the championship, he would even Some discounts can be given.

After all, this can be considered an advertising effect.

Sunshine, green trees, blue sea, and red soil.

This was the match environment between Chen Ran and Nadal in the final.

In today's environment, the two also gave their all and showed their best competitive state.

"This is definitely the pinnacle matchup on clay courts, not just in this era, but in any era."

The host at the scene explained excitedly.

The two can both run, have the same outstanding baseline control and sliding ability, outstanding psychological quality, and powerful topspin shots.

The only difference is that one is right-handed and the other is left-handed.

At this moment, Chen Ran has actually completely adapted to Nadal's left-handedness.

Plus, he's more patient.

No matter how well Nadal performs on clay courts, Chen Ran will not be surprised.

But for Nadal, he was also shocked by Chen Ran's clay clay level.

Since childhood, I have eaten, drank, and slept on clay courts, and I have almost become one with them.

Especially after a year of hibernation, Nadal also knows that his clay court strength has made great progress compared to last year.

Even if Chen Ran is a genius, as an Asian player, his ability to adapt to clay courts will definitely not be as good as his own.

In last year's competition, the two were evenly matched; but this year, he should certainly have the advantage.

However, it is counterproductive.

Chen Ran was more patient than Nadal, like a calm hunter, waiting for the opportunity to kill his prey with one blow. On the contrary, in this extreme consumption and confrontation, the young Nadal seemed a little impatient.

On the clay court, the most taboo thing is to be impatient.

After the two men fought fiercely for nearly three hours, Chen Ran took advantage of Nadal's mental fluctuations to seize the opportunity, complete a mini break with a high-pressure ball, and successfully cashed in on the match point.

7比6，6比7，7比6！

The three-set match between the two new kings of clay court all ended in a tie-break, which shows how brutal the match was.

Whether it is Chen Ran or Nadal, they are covered in all kinds of red soil.

The face, legs, feet, arms, as well as the clothes and pants on the body, all looked dirty red soil, as if the two were not playing on the red soil, but wrestling.

In the end, Chen Ran raised the Monte Carlo Masters championship amidst the cheers of the fans in the stadium.

This is also the first time he has won this event.

So far, due to the fact that the Hamburg Masters has been downgraded, Chen Ran has won all clay court Masters championships.

A new achievement is achieved.

"Chen, see you in Barcelona!"

Nadal, who could only carry the plate, was not frustrated, and then issued a new challenge to Chen Ran.

But the battlefields for the two of them in the next two months will not only be Barcelona, ​​but also Madrid, Rome, and Paris!

……

(End of this chapter)