Chapter 1994: Professional Peak
As spectators and witnesses, when the reporters saw the year-end finals sign-in list, they couldn't help but take a deep breath, and then they gloated; when the reporters realized the pressure of the year-end world No. 1 competition, they couldn't help but feel their scalps tingling, and then they were ready to fight.
But what about Gawain? Worried? Hesitant? Lost?
No, not at all.
Excited? Joyful? Thrilled? No, not really.
Frank, calm and generous.
The grandeur revealed in his every gesture and movement has a kind of breadth and magnanimity that makes one look at the ups and downs of life with a smile, and even transcends victory or defeat, standing at a higher level.
This is the style of a master and the heart of a champion.
It has to be said that Gao Wen is still growing. After defending his title at the US Open, he has undergone another transformation, with his state of mind and temperament undergoing subtle changes.
Even if you have witnessed it with your own eyes and experienced it yourself, you still can't help but admire and marvel. This is another charm of competitive sports besides winning or losing.
Then--
"I know this question is a bit stupid, but I'm really curious, when you saw the Australian Open draw or this year-end finals draw, which one was more shocking? Did you swear?"
The atmosphere in the press conference room was a bit subtle and it was very hard to hold back laughter. Even though the questions were stupid, but... I was genuinely curious.
This includes Gao Wen himself.
He was stunned for a moment, blinking his eyes, unable to hide his surprise, his entire expression and reaction were extremely real, a truth that was neither disguised nor embellished.
"Ah, I need to reminisce."
Gao Wen's face was serious.
"Let's go to the Australian Open."
"After all, as I just said, when I came to London, I was mentally prepared. All the players are experts, and every game is a decisive battle. Any grouping and any draw is normal."
"But that wasn't the case in Melbourne, so you can imagine how I felt when I saw the draw."
Gawain did not continue speaking, but nodded slightly with a serious face. That indescribable expression said it all. After all, the situation was different in Melbourne at the beginning of the year. Gawain's position and mentality were completely different at that time. The impact of that signing list was definitely extraordinary.
puff.
Looking at Gao Wen's sad and helpless expression, there was a low laugh at the scene.
"As for the foul language, hush, my father and mother will watch the replay of the press conference."
Ha ha ha ha.
The whole audience burst into laughter.
Careful reporters, such as Yu Jia, had already noticed by this time that the questioning voices at the press conference had become increasingly quieter since New York.
Throughout the first half of the year, until Wimbledon, negative voices such as doubts, provocations, and criticisms surrounding Gawain were endless. Even though Gawain proved himself time and again with his performance on the court, people always demanded more and expected Gawain to prove himself with more performances on the court.
In essence, they are resisting Gawain’s rise.
However, after experiencing the ups and downs of the North American summer hard court season, the strong performances in the Asian season and the European indoor hard court season, especially the performances in defending the US Open and Paris tournaments, Gao Wen's position in the top ranks has been undisputedly established, and the title of "Fifth Giant" is the best affirmation.
Gradually, the negative voices at the press conference became fewer and fewer, while the laughter became more and more.
This is influence.
"Gao Wen, this is your second consecutive year participating in the year-end finals, but obviously, this time is a little different. Does it feel different for you personally?"
Gao Wen nodded slightly, "I sat here."
——As a substitute last year, Gawain did not attend the press conference. After Raonic was accidentally injured, he rushed to the court in a daze. Everything happened in just a few hours. There was no time to breathe or adjust, and he was already standing on the O2 Arena.
This year, it’s different.
It was concise and clear, and the reporters all smiled knowingly.
Then, Gao Wen added, "As for the rest, nothing has changed. I don't think that qualifying for the year-end finals means the end of the season. I don't want to lose three games in a row and pack up and go home. I don't want to end the season like this, so this is the first step, but there are many more steps to follow."
There are no slogans, no prospects, and no expectations. As always, Gao Wen chose to be down-to-earth, which is also his usual style.
"Gao Wen, you have entered nine finals this year and won eight championship trophies, including two Grand Slam titles. You are the player with the most championships among all male players. Djokovic, who ranks second, has six championship trophies. And you will only turn twenty this week."
"It's been an incredible season, no doubt. Are you starting to worry that you won't be able to surpass this year's achievements next year?"
Although the year-end finals have not yet begun, reporters have already begun their year-end summaries and look to the future.
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Gao Wen was not surprised by this.
"Of course. Of course I am worried. I don't want to reach the peak right after my debut. This year is the peak of my career. Believe me, I am more worried than you are."
Such an honest answer made the reporters chuckle.
"On the one hand, I think I have a lot of room for growth this season. I don't need you to remind me that I didn't perform well on clay and grass..."
The whole audience laughed——
The reporters were laughing at themselves. Their performances in the Roland Garros semi-finals and Wimbledon semi-finals were seen as evidence to attack Gawain. Looking back now, it was indeed a joke. But they did not expect that Gawain would throw it out in such a way, making many reporters blush.
"On the other hand, I also know that it is almost impossible to perfectly replicate this year next year. I need to look at professional competitions with a new mindset, and while continuing to improve, I also need to face the upcoming impact calmly. However, it is easy to talk about it on paper, but I don't know how to implement it in practice."
“So, let’s wait and see.”
"Honestly, I don't want to be in a situation where high school is the peak of my life, holding a bottle of wine and babbling about the glory of my high school days, living a life of drunkenness and dreams. Oh, God, I'm not mentally prepared yet, no no no."
Haha, hahahaha!
Laughter and applause filled the entire venue. Looking at Gao Wen's vivid expression, the laughter simply could not be stopped.
This is Gao Wen’s press conference, always full of ease and joy, and always full of gimmicks and highlights. No one wants to miss it and no one should miss it.
At present, in the entire ATP, only Federer can be compared with Gao Wen. Every press conference can be easily packed, even Nadal and Djokovic cannot do it. After all, the wit and humor and language talent when facing the media are innate.
Focus questions came one after another, and there was no stopping. After each question, the arms raised high to ask questions were still like a dense birch forest, so that the host of the press conference had to remind for the third time, "This is the last question, really."
Gao Wen, who was sitting next to him obediently, silently raised three fingers to indicate, "The last one."
There was laughter again at the scene.
The Italian reporter who finally got the chance to ask the last question unexpectedly asked a very interesting question, which attracted a lot of attention.
(End of this chapter)