Return to 2002: Freestyle Superstar

Chapter 76: Gathering of masters, unexpected choice
At the end of 2002, the top eight male tennis players in the world had arrived in Shanghai one after another.

The land of China has finally ushered in the highest level tennis event - the Year-End Masters Cup.

During the press conference, countless media reporters stood in a dense crowd, either carrying cameras or holding cameras in eager anticipation.

In order to please China, the ATP specially arranged for eight players to attend the event in Tang suits. The scene was extremely grand.

Chen Ran stood in the far corner, watching all this with great interest, countless feelings of yearning welling up in his heart.

However, Chen Ran also quietly observed the positions of these players.

The future King of Federer is now just a 21-year-old rookie, standing quietly in the corner, but with a trademark elegant smile on his face.

Position C is the American bald Agassi. Under countless spotlights, that bald head shines particularly brightly.

Agassi is now 32 years old and already at the tail end of his career peak.

During the period when his old rival Sampras dominated professional tennis, Agassi has always been regarded as the second man in tennis.

Among active players, Sampras stands out with 14 Grand Slams, while Agassi currently has 7 Grand Slams, which is only half of the former.

But compared with players No. 3 and below, Agassi is still ahead in terms of honors.

Most of the top players' honors are basically 1 to 2 Grand Slams.

In other words, Sampras is on one level, Agassi is on another level, and other top players are on another level.

That's what tennis is, a winner-takes-all sport.

This year-end Masters Cup, Sampras did not come, nor did the Chinese player Zhang Depei. The media focused almost all their attention on Agassi.

In front of his desk, he was surrounded by reporters like wolves and tigers inside and outside.

This caused several staff members from the event organizing committee to come and had to struggle to maintain order on site.

Chinese sports reporters have always been very enthusiastic, and are very good at changing the topic during chats and bringing up their own players.

For example, when some reporters interview NBA players, they will change the topic to Yao Ming while chatting.

"Mr. Agassi, what do you think of our new Chinese tennis star?"

"How far do you think Chen Ran can go in professional tennis in the future?"

Who is Chen Ran?

Agassi was confused, touched his bald head in embarrassment, and was too embarrassed to ask questions.

In fact, given his status, not to mention the ATP Challenger League, even some ordinary ATP tour events, there is probably no leisurely time to pay attention to it.

Of course, the reporters who asked questions were very kind. As long as I wasn’t embarrassed, others would be embarrassed.

"By the way, Chen Ran defeated an American newcomer named Isner in the finals." Finally a reporter said something valuable.

"Isner?"

Agassi finally made an impression, a rising American star.

That young man is 2 meters tall and has a serve as sharp as a cannonball. As long as you have been in contact with this person, you will definitely be left with a deep impression.

"You said that Chinese player actually beat Isner?"

"He's one year younger than Isner?"

Agassi finally looked a little shocked and smiled: "He can beat Isner. If his age is true, he will have good coaching resources, sufficient game opportunities, and a little luck, it will be possible." Entering the top ten in the world!”

Top ten in the world!

When reporters heard this, there was some commotion in the crowd.

They have all thought of the news headlines. "Tennis King Agassi is optimistic that the Chinese supernova can break into the top ten in the world!"

"Where is Chen Ran's future limit? He is guaranteed to be in the top ten in the world, and Agassi personally certified it!"

Although the tennis industry in China is not very involved now, the sports reporter profession is very involved.

Such fierce competition also forces them to use their full imagination when coming up with news headlines.

"Mr. Agassi, do you think Chen Ran will have a chance to win a Grand Slam in the future?"

You ask me, who shall I ask?

Not to mention that he has never fought against this Chen Ran, he has never even met him.

Agassi felt like beads of sweat were dripping from his bald head.

"You have to know that many top players have not won a Grand Slam. This does not only rely on strength, but sometimes also requires some luck and opportunity."

When the reporter heard this, his eyes lit up.

"The king of tennis predicts that Chen Ran has a chance to win a Grand Slam!"

Agassi did not know that the few words he said under the inducement of Chinese reporters would soon be embellished by them and published as news to attract attention.

Of course, Agassi doesn't understand Chinese either, so it doesn't matter what these reporters write.

The other players received far less spotlight than Agassi, but occasionally a few reporters came to interview them.

As for the youngest Federer, he was sitting alone in the corner with no one paying attention.

After Spanish star Ferrero learned that Chen Ran was only 16 years old, he said unexpectedly: "In our country, there is also a talented tennis boy of the same age as Chen Ran named Rafael Nadal. You guys There may be many opportunities for exchanges in the future.”

Nadal?
Many reporters disagreed with this, but Zhou Yuan from "Sports Weekly" seemed to have noticed something, and gathered around Ferrero to consult some information about Nadal.

Most people gathered around Agassi anyway, and Zhou Yuan received almost no competition when interviewing the Spanish star.

After Zhou Yuan returned, he wrote a profound article.

"Will the Spanish genius boy born in the same year as Chen Ran be his lifelong enemy?"

This article published in 2002 was later talked about by countless fans because of this divine prophecy.

The reporter Zhou Yuan also became famous through this.

……

Three days later, the year-end Masters Cup officially kicked off.

The top tennis event is a vanity fair. Today, countless celebrities from the Chinese cultural and sports circles came to the court one after another after being invited by the organizing committee.

Hong Kong and Taiwan stars are represented by Jackie Chan, and mainland stars are represented by Zhang Yimou. These people are all arranged in private rooms.

The opening match of the year-end Masters Cup was between the king Agassi and the newcomer Federer, with a sold-out audience of [-].

However, because it was held in China, this competition also arranged a session where local Chinese players competed with these top masters in a "5-point" competition.

This is also the most important reason for Chen Ran to stay in Magic City.

The host also asked Chen Ran excitedly: "How will it feel to be able to compete with a tennis king like Agassi? Will you be speechless with excitement?"

To everyone's surprise, Chen Ran's eyes passed over Agassi, then stopped on a young man, and then said something that everyone didn't expect.

"I hope I can compete with Swiss player Roger Federer."

……

(End of this chapter)