Return to 2002: Freestyle Superstar

Chapter 487: Duo in the clay court season (4K)

The competition between Chen Ran and Nadal continues from Monte Carlo to Barcelona.

However, during the Barcelona Open, the Barcelona football team finally regained the La Liga championship after five years.

At this moment, the city can be described as rejoicing, and fans have poured into the streets, singing and dancing, making the roads here very congested.

Every time Chen Ran goes to the stadium to participate in a game, he sees fans wearing Barcelona jerseys everywhere.

Some of the enthusiastic Barcelona people recognized Chen Ran's identity and took the initiative to take photos and sign autographs.

The famous local "World Sports Edition" also conducted an exclusive interview with Chen Ran.

"Chen...is this your first time in Barcelona?"

"Yes."

"Do you usually watch Barcelona games?"

"Of course! Congratulations to Barcelona for winning the championship. I think they have now returned to their glorious days."

Chen Ran also said it very politely.

"You are the best tennis player in the world. We are curious to ask, if you were a football player, who would you choose to play for between Real Madrid and Barcelona?"

"What if I were a football player?" Chen Ran was stunned for a moment, then smiled, "Don't talk about Real Madrid or Barcelona, ​​I can't even play in La Liga."

"Why?" The Spanish reporter, who was a little slow to react, didn't understand for a while.

"Because..." Chen Ran said slowly and meaningfully, "If I were a football player and I am not yet 19 years old, then your La Liga team can only pay for my potential, but you can't afford it at all. The transfer fee demanded by the Chinese Super League team.”

"That's all."

The Spanish reporters had not yet reacted, but their Chinese colleagues immediately realized something and explained to them in a low voice.

So that’s what happened!

The reporter from "World Sports News" suddenly realized.

It turns out that they will set a high transfer fee, the amount is even comparable to the international players of many second-tier European national teams.

Generally speaking, not only Spain, but also many European teams, in addition to Europe, may only be willing to pay high transfer fees when looking for players from clubs in South America.

It can even be said that these South American clubs are limited to Argentina and Brazil.

Even football powers like Uruguay or Colombia find it difficult to sell their players at high prices.

Some well-known stars from Uruguay or Colombia attracted top teams to pay high prices for them only after they became famous in Europe.

But what is somewhat absurd is that in China, which is very backward in football standards, these Chinese Super League clubs especially like to offer high prices to their players, so that European clubs will give up.

In comparison, Japanese and Korean players next door often land in Europe at cabbage prices, but their strength is stronger than Chinese players, and those European clubs are not fools.

Therefore, Chen Ran used this interview to mock the Chinese Super League club.

Because he knows that this year's Football World Youth Championship is about to be held, and this should be regarded as the last glory of Chinese men's football.

Since then, China's men's football teams at all levels have never had a chance to compete in the World Series, and this will be the case until 2023, when he is reborn, except for the 2008 Olympic Games held in the country.

Therefore, this year's World Youth Championship is almost the swan song of the Chinese men's football team in the World Series.

Chen Ran knew all about this and mentioned it intentionally.

interesting!

He's making news again.

Although it is said that family scandals should not be publicized, for these Chinese journalists working in the sports industry, this kind of thing should be publicized more so that their European colleagues can also learn about it.

Spanish reporters were even more puzzled. Although they had heard that China's football results were very poor, it seemed that the tennis superstar had great opinions on his country's football.

But they actually also have strong opinions on their own football team, because the Spanish team in this era is known as the "King of Qualifiers" and weak in the competition.

But the difference is that you have a profound foundation and are on the rise. As for them, there is no lower limit.

Knowing that his goal had been achieved, Chen Ran took the initiative to change the topic and talked about the competition with Nadal.

"The competition between myself and Rafael will promote the overall development of tennis."

"It will also allow more fans and sponsors to pay attention to tennis matches."

"The entire professional tennis community will benefit from it."

As a world-renowned sports media, "World Sports News" has interviewed many world-class sports superstars.

However, these reporters rarely meet athletes like Chen Ran. Isn't this too crazy to say?
"Do you think today's clay courts have become a stage for the two of you to compete?"

"I hope a third person can come out!" Chen Ran said very naturally.

He does have the capital.

Now Chen Ran has won the French Open and all clay court masters championships.

Several Spanish reporters looked at each other silently, then nodded thoughtfully.

This time, the front page of "World Sports Edition" is reserved for Barcelona to regain the La Liga championship, but some space can also be reserved on the front page to publish Chen Ran's interview, which should attract the attention of non-readers.

……

Chen Ran knows very well how terrible Nadal was in the 2005 clay court season.

In a time when there were no professional tennis players, the new king of clay court suddenly emerged and won five consecutive championships in Monte Carlo, Barcelona, ​​Madrid, Rome, and the French Open.

An unprecedented achievement.

Each of these five championships is full of gold. Even the lowest-level Barcelona Open championship is beyond the reach of many first-class players.

At present, Chen Ran has "stealed" one house, and he has also quietly set his sights on the next one.

In the second stop in Barcelona, ​​as expected, the two met again for the final.

This time the two sides are still anxious to fight.

But Chen Ran is obviously the more patient and tactically planning side.

In particular, Nadal has never been a player who is good at serving, which also makes Chen Ran feel a lot less pressure when his opponent directly hits an ace or serves straight.

7比5，7比6（9:7）！
Chen Ran is still the one who laughs last.

What was different from the Monte Carlo Masters was that this time Chen Ran did not allow Nadal to break serve.

He finally completed his second "stealing" as he wished and won the championship trophy for the first time in Barcelona, ​​the Spaniard's back garden.

The person who presented the award to Chen Ran was none other than the most popular football superstar Ronaldinho, nicknamed "Ronaldinho".

Although from the perspective of the organizing committee, they preferred Ronaldinho to present the award to Nadal, but Chen Ran failed to let him do so.

"Congratulations!"

"Thank you!"

Chen Ran and Ronaldinho shook hands in a friendly manner, and the latter also showed his iconic rabbit teeth when he smiled.

But Chen Ran found that this Brazilian seemed a little decadent, with two very obvious panda eyes, and he yawned from time to time.

Seeing this picture, he knew without guessing that Ronaldinho was obviously having fun after leading Barcelona to regain the La Liga championship. Could it be that he knew that the awards were coming today and he partyed all night long last night?

Well, with his style it's very possible.

Sure enough, Ronaldinho quietly asked Chen Ran when he would leave Barcelona, ​​and if he wanted to see what the real nightlife in Barcelona was like?

This guy still wants to drag himself down.

Chen Ran repeatedly stated that he would soon go to Madrid to prepare for the next game.

Madrid, Rome, and the French Open, an almost terrifying schedule.

But this is still his favorite clay court event, and Chen Ran knows that he must go all out.

"Boring guy!" Ronaldinho shrugged after hearing this, and suddenly felt that there was nothing to talk about with this person.

Chen Ran could also see Ronaldinho's inner thoughts, but he didn't take it seriously.

If you want to surf, just keep surfing!

Anyway, your peak period is only one year away!

Starting from next year's World Cup in Germany, the Brazilian's condition will continue to decline.

After the game, the Barcelona organizing committee also asked Chen Ran very expectantly, if he would continue to participate next year?

Because of the "Chen Fei Duel", the box office of this final can be said to have set a new record.

In addition, the sponsorship fees for the event also reached a new high, which made the organizing committee overjoyed.

If Chen Ran continues to come next year, they are even willing to increase the opponent's appearance fee.

Come again next year?

Come on, it's just a 500 race.

It's enough for me to win the championship once and steal the house once.

Is it necessary to come every year?
Even in the future, Nadal will still be able to win more than ten Barcelona championships just like in his previous life.

People will still say that you have never defeated Chen Ran here to win the championship, but Chen Ran's only championship here was when he defeated you.

This may even give the outside world the illusion that Chen Ran's Barcelona championship is even more valuable than Nadal's more than ten championships.

Not convinced?

If you don't accept it, go and beat Chen Ran once!

But Chen Ran will not give Nadal another chance.

So this year will be the only time Chen Ran participates in the Barcelona Open.

Of course, Chen Ran would not say these things in person.

"I'm very much looking forward to continuing to compete in Barcelona next year."

"I enjoy the atmosphere here."

"Of course, it will ultimately depend on my physical condition."

Next year, Chen Ran will definitely feel that his body is very tired and will have to give up the registration for Barcelona.

The silly Spaniards... to be precise, the Catalans were really fooled by Chen Ran, and started looking forward to next year's game.

Well...it can be better than this year in terms of box office and investment promotion, right?

……

When the Barcelona Open ended, the clay court season ushered in wave after wave of climaxes.

Two Masters tournaments and one Grand Slam have become a stage for countless clay court masters to compete crazily.

But the overall trend of the game is basically not much different from Monte Carlo and Barcelona.

Although Chen Ran and Nadal each faced some challenges, there were also some top clay court players who dragged the game into a decisive set.

But the two of them still defeated all the masters without any danger, and passed the level all the way.

Whether intentionally or unintentionally, from Monte Carlo to Barcelona, ​​from Madrid to Rome, the organizing committees generally arranged Chen Ran and Nadal in the upper and lower halves respectively, so that these two clay court masters could meet smoothly. finals.

Fortunately the game went as they hoped.

Whether in Madrid or Rome, Chen Ran and Nadal reached the finals.

In addition to the previous Miami final, Chen Ran and Nadal actually met in the final five times in a row.

The two men fought almost to the point of darkness.

At the Madrid station, Chen Ran defeated Nadal 6-4, 4-6, 7-5 with a total score of 2-1, achieving three consecutive championships in this station.

At the Rome Station, Nadal, who had lost three consecutive games, finally regained his composure and reversed Chen Ran 6-7, 7-6, 7-5, and won his first clay court championship this year with difficulty.

This is also his third Masters championship.

At this point, all heavyweight clay court events before the French Open have come to an end.

Chen Ran's results list is 3 championships and 1 runner-up, including two Masters championships, a 500 championship, and a Masters runner-up.

Nadal's record list is 1 championship and 3 runner-ups, a Masters championship, two Masters runner-ups, and a 500 runner-up.

In the 2005 season, Chen Ran scored 4100 points on hard courts and 3100 on clay courts. The effective points this season are 7200 points, far ahead of second-placed Federer.

As for Nadal, he first won the Miami Masters and then scored 3100 points in the clay court season before the French Open. His total points have surpassed Safin and ranked third, and the gap between him and Federer is also constantly narrowing.

If Federer fails to perform at the French Open, he will most likely be overtaken by Nadal.

As for the points gap between the Swiss and Chen Ran, it has already been far away.

So far in the clay court season, Federer has not won even a single set.

This may be the Swiss King's worst clay court season in recent years.

This also made many people ridicule that his number one ranking at the end of last year now looks like a joke.

In addition, since both Chen Ran and Nadal were absent from last year's French Open, this also means that they have no pressure to maintain points in this year's French Open.

When Chen Ran returned with full blood, the Swiss had no ability to pose any threat to his world number one.

Nowadays, many fans seem to be more optimistic that Nadal can launch a more threatening attack on Chen Ran.

Both men are currently in top form and have shown unstoppable momentum during the clay court season.

Many fans are already looking forward to the peak showdown between the two at Roland Garros.

Inadvertently, what was once the "Chen Fei Duel" has gradually evolved into the "Chen Na Duel."

Many sports media around the world have also expressed emotion: This year's clay court season has almost become a two-man show between Chen Ran and Nadal.

What everyone is curious about is whether the upcoming French Open will still be their duo?
……

(End of this chapter)