Chapter 1232: Off-site gossip
"We and Jack are also friends in private."
"Then, as the conversation progressed, the game came up, and Vasek kept challenging Bob, saying you definitely can't tell us apart."
"Phew, you know that idiot Bob, he's just impulsive. He was trying to protect you, but Vasek wouldn't let him go, and then they made a bet."
"I...I'm not sure. I always feel that Vasek has some malicious intentions."
Hesitant to speak.
It can be clearly seen that Mike is not the type of person who likes to gossip behind others' backs. If he hadn't really noticed something, he probably wouldn't say anything.
But even after saying it, Mike did not make any random comments about Pospisil. He just mentioned it briefly, then waved his hand and gave an awkward smile.
"Of course, maybe it's just my own imagination. Anyway, that fool Bob thought it was just a joke among young people. I hope I'm just worrying too much."
Mike felt a little uncomfortable. He was 37 years old, standing in front of Gawain, but he touched his neck stiffly. It was obvious that he was not familiar with the matter of criticizing others behind their backs.
In fact, this has nothing to do with age, but with mentality, just like the "half-glass of water" theory, some people always see the negative side, while others always choose to see the positive side.
Obviously, Mike doesn't want to casually assume other people's ill intentions.
Although Mike didn't say much, Gawain could imagine that Bob was a quick-witted and straightforward person. If Pospisil intended to set a trap, Bob would be easily fooled. From Mike's expression, it can be seen that he quite disapproved of Pospisil's approach.
Just a few words, but they are enough.
Gao Wen could sense the kindness conveyed by Mike, and he smiled and joked in a half-joking way,
"It's just the trivialities of young people."
"You know, young people are hot-tempered. If you don't pay attention, they will get angry and want to roll up their sleeves and fight. A little beer can make them lose control."
"I don't like him and he doesn't like me, but that's all it is. I'm not prepared to be the most popular guy on tour."
The understated tone, with a hint of teasing, makes the serious topic light-hearted, stating the position while avoiding exacerbating the problem.
In Gawain's opinion, Pospisil's behavior was not only childish and low-level, but also boring. He didn't even dare to stand in front of Gawain and speak loudly. As a result, he only dared to do some small and harmless actions behind his back. He might even be complacent and ready to watch the show, but he didn't have any courage at all.
However, Gawain and Pospisil would settle the grudges in private, and there was no need to involve the innocent Brian brothers and Dimitrov.
That's why Gao Wen chose this way to respond.
Sure enough, Mike raised his chin slightly. Isn't this what conflicts between young people look like? They shout "break up" but are actually very childish.
Mike felt a little relieved, and the smile on his face rose again. "But obviously, neither Bob nor I expected that you would be able to recognize it."
Gawain shrugged, "We're friends, aren't we?"
Mike's smile became more relaxed, and slowly fell into his eyes, "Be careful, the friendship ends here. Once we step onto the court, we'll be enemies."
Gao Wen deliberately pulled back a little, "So, are you spying on the enemy now?"
Mike looked at Gawain with a wary look and finally couldn't hold back any longer and laughed out loud.
The laughter attracted Dimitrov and Bob to look back.
Mike waved his hands repeatedly trying to prove his innocence.
As a result, Gao Wen didn't give him a chance at all, and directly made a "Huang Feihong" opening move, "Humph, just come over here."
That funny look needed no explanation, the atmosphere became relaxed, Bob and Dimitrov laughed, even Mike couldn't help laughing.
The air also became cheerful.
The game has begun.
Sure enough! It lived up to everyone's expectations! Looking around the entire No. 1 Stadium, it was full, with the attendance rate easily exceeding 50%, and spectators were still entering the stadium one after another.
Perhaps, the attendance rate did not reach 100%, but two points need to be noted here: First, this is a doubles event, and the attendance rate is generally lower than that of singles, especially in the first few rounds of the event.
Secondly, Monte Carlo's box office market has always been troubled because of the special composition of the local residents. Those who are eager to watch the game may not have the time or money, while those who have the time and money may not be interested in tennis. Even if they are interested, they may just come to watch the big-name stars.
It was also because of this that the Monte Carlo Masters was almost cancelled by the ATP that year.
At this time, in the second round of a doubles match, the attendance rate was able to exceed 50%, and the stadium was noisy; and this was the No. 1 stadium with a larger capacity, which was enough to make the organizers happy.
Gao Wen is worthy of being the most box office-appealing player of the new generation. Even a doubles match can attract a large number of audiences to the scene.
Likewise, the quality of the competition did not disappoint.
From the first game, the young duo of Gawain and Dimitrov showed great impact.
It can be seen that they are not prepared to just compete casually, but to go all out and prepare to challenge the doubles legends in front of them.
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The performance of the Bryan brothers was a little unstable. Although they won the championship in Miami and showed a momentum of recovery, it was another matter when they came to the clay court. They were eliminated in the first match in Houston last week. They came to Monte Carlo this week, and today was their first match. They were still not used to the local environment.
"2:1".
In the first three games, both sides held their serve.
The Gaowen combination, who served first, temporarily took the lead; but the Bryan brothers had already faced the test of break points in their own service games. At the critical moment, they still relied on the tacit cooperation of doubles to resolve the difficulties and saved their serve.
In the fourth game, the Gao Wen combination made a comeback.
Among the Bryan brothers, Bob and Mike have their own strengths. Overall, Bob is better at serving and is a completely North American cannon-style player; Mike is more balanced, and his techniques at the baseline and net are more delicate and comprehensive. He is often a tactical master responsible for layout.
Therefore, Bob's serve has always been more stable, and his advantage in serve is more obvious; while Mike's serve is relatively weaker.
Of course, this is only relative, not absolute.
The fourth game was Mike's serve. Bob was in charge of the front court. His handling of the net was a little rough, which gave the Gao-Wen combination an opportunity.
"40:40".
Dimitrov's volley at the net forced Bob to volley out of bounds. The Gaowen combination saved a game point, and the two sides were tied. The Bryan brothers were in trouble again in their second serve.
Then, Mike served and Dimitrov received the serve at the baseline.
At this point, the turning point came -
Dimitrov's diagonal serve return was of good quality, forcing Mike to be unable to change the line. He also returned a diagonal serve, but the line was not completely torn apart.
Chance!
Gao Wen was very bold and active. With a sideways step, he appeared on Mike's return route.
Intercept at the net!
(End of this chapter)