There were thousands of words and thousands of thoughts, but in the end, Martin swallowed them all, smiled, and asked in a friendly manner.
"So, this time you come back, are you just taking a vacation, or are you preparing for the US Open series?"
return.
Gao Wen liked Martin's choice of words, which felt familiar.
Perhaps, some people think that Gao Wen has already turned to the professional arena for a whole year and has achieved incredible achievements, so why is he still entangled with the university? The level is different now, so there is no need to keep thinking about him.
However, Gawain had a slightly different idea.
Now in the tour, friends among players are often those who trained and grew up together as teenagers and then turned to the professional arena together.
For example, Djokovic and Murray, Nadal and Gasquet, Medvedev and Rublev... and so on.
They share their youth, memories, grow up and work hard together. The strength of this friendship is tenacious and unique.
More importantly, not all players can grow together to become top players, and not all friends can always work together to be in the top 100 in the professional arena. Just like in real life, some friends can only accompany you for a part of the journey, and then they will disperse as time goes by.
It is precisely because of this that Gao Wen cherishes every friendship and reminds himself at all times not to forget his original intention.
UCLA is the starting point for his fresh start, and also the cradle of his growth and transformation. Whenever he needs to jog his memory and remind himself to stay focused on his love for tennis, he likes to come back here and feel the sunshine, air and youthful passion of the university campus again.
In just one year, those figures who once fought side by side in the NCAA have been scattered across the world.
Thompson is still moving between different challenge competitions. He and Gao Wen occasionally talk and text each other. He gives himself two years to fight in the professional arena. Now there is only one year left. If he still can't make a living, he will need to change careers.
“Maybe, I should become a real estate agent.”
Thompson joked half-jokingly.
Jilong hardly contacts Gao Wen, although it has always been like this in the past. He is not a person who likes daily contact. But now he feels more or less differently. As a former NCAA favorite, he has his pride and persistence. It is indeed complicated for him to face Gao Wen again.
But Gao Wen did not think that Jilong was jealous or hateful, but more of a spur and requirement for himself, and he still believed in himself.
Jilong has grown a lot. Thompson told me that Jilong performed well in the Challenge Tournament and gradually entered the tour. Jilong can be seen in some 250-point or 500-point tournaments, and his playing style has also changed.
"I think he got inspiration from Djokovic. Now his whole game style is very sticky and sticky. He tries to control the offense and defense transition in the deep area of the baseline by returning the ball as much as possible to complete the suppression. If you see him again, you may hardly recognize him. He is really different from when he was in college."
Gao Wen is looking forward to the day when he can reunite with his NCAA comrades and opponents in a tour-level event.
So, hearing Martin's words, Gawain's smile rose slightly, "Holiday, purely holiday."
"Coach, these past three months, tennis, tennis, tennis, I need some breathing space too."
Martin raised his chin slightly. "Yes, there is still some time before the US Open. You should take a good vacation now. You really need to stay away from tennis for a while. The coach requires players to reduce training as much as possible. Apart from Nadal, this is the first time I have seen this happen with you."
Gao Wen looked innocent, "No way, I have very little time for training now, very little."
Then, the subject changed.
"Coach, tell me, I want to go down and fight Mike for two rounds now. Is Mike willing?"
MARTIN: ...
Seeing Martin's dumbfounded expression, Gao Wen said righteously, "Games are purely games. I've already said that I'm on vacation now."
After saying that, Gawain patted Martin on the shoulder and then walked towards the training ground.
Martin was dumbfounded, but when he thought about it carefully, he was not surprised at all. In the end, he couldn't help but burst out laughing -
In a good mood.
Martin really hadn't felt so relaxed and comfortable for a long, long time.
It is graduation season again. On the one hand, they are about to say goodbye again. These students are standing at the crossroads of life, choosing different directions and embracing the unknown; but on the other hand, they are about to return to the starting point, usher in a new beginning, and prepare for a new season.
While feeling sad, we should also be hopeful.
Martin's shoulders relaxed a little as he looked at the stunned and agitated young players on the court, feeling both helpless and amused.
"Hey, you guys, this is not a zoo, please don't stare at that guy with the eyes of a panda."
Boom! A burst of laughter.
Gawain's footsteps had already reached the training ground. Looking at their figures trying to approach but not daring to do so, a smile welled up in his eyes.
"I'm full now, and I'm not ready to continue eating, so don't worry."
Everyone: ...
Gawain didn't wait for their reaction, but looked at the sweaty MacDonald, "Mac, how about two rounds?"
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MacDonald was slightly stunned.
The memory is a bit hazy, as if returning to the off-season two years ago, when Gao Wen was basking in the sun, walking towards the court with a joyful and excited face, preparing to practice with great interest.
Time flies, and eighteen months have slipped through our fingers in the blink of an eye, but Gawain seems to have not changed.
"Um."
MacDonald nodded.
Gawain came to the training ground today purely to find MacDonald to reminisce about the past, so he did not bring his own equipment. He did wear sneakers, but they were not tennis shoes but basketball shoes. The hoodie and shorts were not suitable for playing tennis, but it didn’t matter—
game.
Gawain had just told Martin that this was not training, but a game.
Gawain looked around, took out a racket from MacDonald's equipment bag, hit his palm with the string to feel the pounding of the string, and then jogged towards the training ground to warm up.
"roar!"
“Roar, roar, roar!”
The players of the Bruins team started to make a noise one after another. They didn't dare to get close, but each one was more excited than the other.
Gao Wen did not refuse, and waved to the "audience" as if he was at a superstar concert. His graceful and elegant appearance immediately made everyone laugh.
Even MacDonald couldn't control himself, the corners of his mouth slightly raised, but he still didn't speak -
This is not normal.
Today, from the time Gawain appeared until now, MacDonald has never had any conversation with Gawain, not even a single word.
Gawain used the racket to push the tennis ball toward the arch of his foot, and then lightly kicked and lifted it up with his toes like a juggler, walked to the other side of the net, gestured to MacDonald, and hit the tennis ball over.
"Mike, warm up, let's warm up first."