Chapter 182 Full of Confidence

If possible, the media expected Gao Wen to play against the top eight seeded players to test the quality of the dark horse. However, in the cold winter, the expectations of the reporters were repeatedly dashed, and they were extremely depressed and aggrieved.

After waiting for a long time, another dark horse, Sarkeesian, finally arrived. “If there is no fish, shrimp will do.” As a second choice, everyone is looking forward to this dark horse showdown to see if the “Dark Horse Star” can subdue this year’s biggest dark horse.

This is also the core essence of competitive sports——

Complete transformation through battle after battle! Prove yourself through duels after duels! Constantly challenge your limits in the process of training.

Strictly speaking, the media's doubts and provocations did not appear until the quarterfinals. They had been very kind to Gao Wen, but precisely because they had been suppressed for so long, they showed signs of losing control when they suddenly erupted. The air was filled with a thick smell of gunpowder.

"…What's going on? You're just asking me to prove myself."

Gao Wen had a very clear vision, and with just one simple sentence, he revealed the truth behind those shocking headlines in the media.

Although McDonald wanted to complain that they had already "proven themselves" for a whole season and successfully won the team championship, what else did they need to prove? However, he also understood that this was the essence of competitive sports and there was something to prove at every stage.

Even the "Big Four" seem to still need to constantly "prove themselves" to the media -

Federer needs to prove that age is not a shackle that limits him from winning championships, and Nadal needs to prove that he can perform well on surfaces other than clay.

Djokovic needs to prove that he also deserves a place in the competition for "GOAT", and Murray needs to prove that he is definitely not just a filler in the "Big Four".

The media has never been lenient towards them.

With this in mind, it doesn’t seem so outrageous that the media is asking “freshman” Gao Wen to prove himself.

McDonald opened his mouth, but swallowed the complaints in the end. Facing doubts, fighting back with performance on the field is always the best way.

"Gawain, play well, win the game, and then shut them all up."

It was a rare sight to see a hint of anger on MacDonald's baby face, which made Gawain chuckle and he felt very happy.

Then, Gawain pursed his lips and said pitifully.

"But I'm scared. I'm weak, helpless, and trembling. What should I do?"

Watching Gawain's lifelike performance, MacDonald couldn't help but laughed happily.

At this moment, a deep voice came from behind.

"Don't be afraid, let Daddy come and protect you."

Then, a tall figure held Gawain tightly in his arms, like a black bear. Without turning around, he knew it was Thompson.

Thompson held Gawain's hands tightly, laughing, but soon discovered something unusual; Gawain seemed different.

"Wait, honey, when did you get so strong? Are you planning to become a Barbie doll? These hard muscle lines are really painful to the touch."

The cheerful complaints made everyone around burst into laughter, and one or two of them joined in the cheering, making it very lively.

Gawain did not struggle or resist, but looked up and spoke to Thompson very seriously.

"My dear, if you could protect me, I wouldn't have to do it myself."

Before Thompson could react to what Gawain's "tenderness" meant, Gawain turned around and shouted at MacDonald.

"Mike, when the media comes later, we will just close the door and release Clay."

Boom! In an instant, the laughter all around exploded, and it couldn't be stopped at all. Then Thompson realized that he had been fooled by Gawain again.

However, Thompson didn't mind and patted Gawain's shoulder heavily with his big hand like a palm leaf fan.

"Well, today's competition depends on your performance."

Although the news media are talking about it and making alarmist remarks, the players on the Brown Bears team are full of confidence in Gawain because they are the ones who know Gawain's abilities best.

Thompson slapped his chest with pride.

"We, like the media, are looking forward to someone who can make Gao Wen show his full strength. It would be a pity if only we knew the true nature of the 'Flower Destroyer'."

In daily training, Gao Wen is simply a devil. He has a mini-duel every day, and he is unyielding and scheming. He tortures all his teammates for several rounds. The most terrifying thing is not losing the mini-duel, but that no matter whether he wins or loses, he will suffer from dehydration, exhaustion and cramps after the game.

Now, Gao Wen has successfully won the title of "Nightmare Training Difficulty", and even MacDonald's face is full of sadness when he sees Gao Wen.

Thompson, obviously had something else in mind.

Sayre immediately raised his voice and joked, "Clay, you are not expecting Gawain to torture others because you were ravaged in training, right?"

Thompson jumped up as if he had been electrocuted. "No, absolutely not! I'm just looking forward to a wonderful match. How can you slander me like this?"

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The overreaction was clearly an attempt to cover up the truth, which made all the players laugh again.

With the quarterfinals approaching, the atmosphere on the Brown Bears team is particularly warm and one can clearly feel the confidence and unity emanating from the entire team from the inside out.

They all sincerely believed that the three teammates could continue to work hard and advance together to the next round.

Not to mention that MacDonald needs to go all out today to have a chance of survival, Gawain himself also needs to be more vigilant.

Although he is relaxed, from a professional point of view, Gao Wen also admitted that Sarkeesian is indeed a tough opponent.

On the one hand, there is the conflict of playing styles, and on the other hand, there is the consumption of physical strength and energy.

It can be seen from the sudden emergence of upsets in the first round that all the main players in the team competition are facing severe challenges, and Gawain and McDonald are no exception.

In comparison, McDonald and Jilong have better physical reserves, while Gawain has obviously consumed more energy after consecutive fierce battles, but he has persisted until now without showing any signs of fatigue, and has not lost a single set in three games. In fact, this has proved that Gawain's physical reserves are among the best among this year's players.

But even though he is a "physical superman", after the competition entered the quarterfinals, Gao Wen had to face up to the signals sent by his body: his reserves were running low.

It is also because of this that Grand Slam tournaments, which last for a full two weeks, pose a severe challenge to the players' physical allocation.

Physical fitness directly affects the connection and strength of the entire technical and tactical links, and also disperses energy, which is an all-round consumption.

Sometimes, it’s not that we don’t want to go all out, but that we can’t. It is foreseeable that facing Sarkeesian will be a tough battle.

Fortunately, Gawain had a backup plan.

Growth potential value.

Gawain had not added any points since arriving in Athens, and now the time had finally come.

Second update.

(End of this chapter)