Return to 2002: Freestyle Superstar

Chapter 57 Football is round, so is tennis ball
The top 8 of the ATP Challenger League, this result is insignificant to the entire Chinese sports world.

But for the Chinese tennis community, which is currently at a trough, it is like a shot in the arm.

In particular, Chen Ran is only 16 years old, and his rise is as strong as if he was born out of nowhere, which makes him even more magical.

In the world of sports, there will always be stories about some magical boys, but now the place where the story takes place has become China.

What makes the sports reporters at the scene even more crazy is that Chen Ran's path to promotion does not seem to be that difficult, and he has a great advantage in the competition.

Does this mean that his current performance is not his full strength.

After the game, Chen Ran's prize money reached US$1600, 18 ATP points, a total of 73 points, and an immediate ranking of 507th.

Chen Ran only needs one more win to break into the top 500 in the world rankings.

However, his next opponent will be the No. 1 seed in the tournament, South Korea's No. [-] Lee Hyung-taek, who was also the silver medalist at the Busan Asian Games half a month ago.

Many sports reporters stared at the match list and began to whisper.

"Chen Ran's luck is so bad!"

"Our country finally produced a potential new tennis star, but he actually met the No. [-] seed in the quarterfinals!"

"It's such a pity! If I hadn't met him, maybe we could have gone further!"

"At the age of 16, it was my first time to participate in an ATP professional tournament, and my results in the quarterfinals were already very good."

"You are still young anyway, so just have a learning attitude in this game. You have to pay tuition!"

Chen Ran happened to hear these conversations when he was passing by the media area.

No one seemed to think he could win the next round.

Chen Ran was about to return to the hotel, but was stopped by a female CCTV reporter.

However, when he saw the other party's face, he was still slightly frightened.

With small eyes, a big face, and prominent cheekbones, a poem that was widely circulated in later generations came to mind: Summer Hibiscus and Winter Na?

The female reporter holding a microphone in front of her is Dong Ri Na, the "full-time" reporter for future Olympic champion Liu Xiang.The Mongolian people also promote themselves to the outside world as descendants of the Golden Family.

But if you think about it carefully, the relationship behind being able to enter CCTV with such impressive looks and professional skills must be extraordinary.

CCTV has several beautiful reporters, but the female sports reporters are more touching than the last.

Chen Ran just wanted to run away, but Dongri had already blocked his route.

Of course, the other party didn't guess Chen Ran's intention to escape, because from Dongri's point of view, isn't it natural for athletes to accept CCTV interviews?

It’s too late to be happy!
"Chen Ran, first of all, congratulations on reaching the quarterfinals of the Magic City Challenge."

"Thank you!"

"We all know that your opponent in the next round is the No. [-] seed in the tournament, and there is basically no chance of winning. Will you still prepare for this game seriously?"

shit...

It's time to come.

Suddenly, Chen Ran felt thousands of alpacas roaring past in his heart.

"I will give my all to face any opponent."

After Chen Ran said this, he walked away from the other party.

Because you never guess how weird the other person’s next question will be.Dong Ri was still thinking about the next question, but by the time she reacted, Chen Ran had already walked away.

The other reporters from newspapers or TV stations looked at Dongri Na as if they were looking at a mentally retarded person.

But she didn't care, she just thought they were full of awe for her identity as a CCTV reporter.

……

On the third day of the competition, more than a dozen reporters had gathered at the exit of the stadium, and the lineup seemed a bit noisy and huge.

China's local rising tennis star faces Asia's No. [-] figure. In the eyes of these reporters, topicality is enough.

Li Hengze was surrounded by reporters and was being interviewed, but he had no idea who Chen Ran was. He came here to participate in the competition just to increase his points, re-enter the top 100 in the world, and win some competition bonuses by the way.

Since the prize money of the challenge is not high, and the distance between South Korea and China is very close.In order to save some money, he didn't even bring a coach.

"Chen Ran is a very good player with huge potential, but I believe that I can achieve the final victory." Li Hengze said some polite words, but he still seemed confident in his words.

"Tell me what your career goals are?" Another reporter asked.

"My goal is to enter the semi-finals in a Grand Slam!" Li Hengze said firmly, "I believe I have the ability."

At the US Open two years ago, he reached the top [-] for the first time in history.

Thailand's Sri Chaphan, now the No. [-] player in Asia, has only reached the top [-] in the four majors.

Even though there is a big difference in ranking between the two, in Li Hengze's heart, he never thinks that he is inferior to the other person.

"The Korean men's football team reached the semi-finals in the World Cup not long ago. Did this result inspire you?" This question came from Dong Ri, a reporter from CCTV.

"Of course!" Li Hengze showed pride, "They are the heroes of the entire country, and they are also the goals I work hard for."

"So..." the reporter from Dongda University started to talk wildly, "Do you think that the South Korean men's football team can enter the semi-finals of the World Cup because of referees?"

What the hell is wrong?

Li Hengze's face turned dark and he stared at Dongri Na fiercely: "I will not answer such an unfriendly question. Once again, our country's football team can enter the semi-finals of the World Cup solely because of its strength!"

Like most inexplicably confident Koreans, he firmly believes that the semi-final results in the World Cup have nothing to do with referees.

At this time, Chen Ran happened to pass by them carrying a tennis bag and heard the conversation.

As expected of you, Nana.

He will always die without saying anything surprising.

Chen Ran's appearance also caused a sensation among several Chinese reporters responsible for the interview.

On the other side of the stadium exit, he also accepted an interview with reporters.

The content is similar, basically the outlook and expectations for this game.

However, a sports reporter asked Chen Ran: "Although today's opponent is very strong, do you still hold the idea of ​​​​an upset and continue to be dark? After all, so far, you are already the biggest dark horse in this competition. "

Isner is also a newcomer, but after all, he comes from the United States, a tennis powerhouse, and he is one year older than Chen Ran. Naturally, this dark horse cannot match his quality.

"I came to compete, of course, to win."

Chen Ran talked very relaxedly: "People often use the phrase that football is round to describe the uncertainty of football matches. Anything can happen, but don't forget that tennis is also round."

……

(End of this chapter)