Chapter 2009: Smiling
"Brother, it's wonderful. It's really wonderful."
"Ah, I've already done everything I can to empty the tank today, and I'm already worried about the next two games, but you don't give me any other choice."
"Haha, now that you put it that way, I feel a little better. Keep winning and teach the other two old guys a lesson. I can't be the only one getting hurt."
"I'll try my best."
"Believe me, you can do it; no, no, no, I should say just believe in yourself."
"In the next game, I will try my best. I think it will be good if I can give 120% of my energy. 121% is too much, too much."
"Yeah, 120% is just right. My hopes of reaching the semi-finals are counting on you, come on."
"Ha, that's a big responsibility."
Back and forth, joking with each other——
The post-match handshake between Wawrinka and Gawain was filled with joy. Although Wawrinka has never been a smooth talker, he also has a humorous side in private.
What's more, he and Gao Wen have always had a good relationship.
Wawrinka had no regrets about this game. Although it was bitter, sad and heartbreaking, he had no regrets.
Gao Wen's performance was indeed better.
Especially in the second half of the second set, Wawrinka finally got into the groove and played at the level he expected, but Gawain's response proved his ability. Not only did he improve his form again to create a stalemate, but he also found the key to turning the situation around. His all-round strong performance was indisputable.
Wawrinka believes that Gao Wen is indeed a big threat to this year's year-end finals.
But at the same time.
Wawrinka also gained confidence.
The overall state in the second half of the year is still unsatisfactory. Wawrinka has been adjusting, groping, and fighting. From Paris to London, he finally found some feelings and is slowly getting back on track.
There are still two games left in the year-end finals. Wawrinka does not think that he has withdrawn from the competition early, and the door of opportunity is still wide open.
Everyone has a chance.
Even Gawain is not able to rest on his laurels.
The battle with Gawain made Wawrinka realize that he missed such moments and he will continue to fight.
With a smile on his face, Wawrinka patted Gawain on the back again and gestured to the O2 Stadium with his eyes, "It's your time next."
After saying that, Wawrinka took the lead to walk towards the referee, shook hands and greeted him, then walked towards the players' rest area, quickly packed up his equipment, and turned to leave.
The stage should belong to Gawain next.
But Gawain was not in a hurry.
Gao Wen not only watched Wawrinka leave the court, but also joined the audience in applauding Wawrinka.
"Stan Man".
In the ATP tour, Wawrinka's games are always a beautiful sight. Regardless of whether people are willing to call him another giant, this late bloomer still uses his courage and bravery to write his own story, which can never be replaced by others.
Until Wawrinka left.
Gao Wencai returned to the court, bathed in the splendor of the stadium, and relaxed a little -
It would be a lie to say that I wasn’t nervous as I participated in the year-end finals as an official player for the first time in my career.
Of course, Gao Wen values this stage more than proving himself, than responding to pressure, than the tension and anxiety of being the world's number one.
He longs to step onto such a stage, compete with top players, and continue running wild on the road of challenging his limits and challenging himself.
So, rather than being nervous, there was more of a sense of excitement and joy.
In the end, he overcame those emotions and completed an excellent game. Until the end of the game, the mixed emotions of tension and happiness re-emerged and bloomed along with the upward curve of the corners of his mouth. He enjoyed the applause and cheers in front of him more than ever before.
The O2 Arena is indeed a little different.
Listen carefully, a cry comes from the depths of the earth -
"Fight!"
"Fight!"
The uniform slogan was born at Roland Garros, blossomed in Flushing Meadows, nurtured by the Asian season and the European indoor season, and finally blossomed proudly at the O2 Arena in London, forming a new energy, becoming a new definition for every game played by Gao Wen and an interpretation of tennis.
One sound, and then another.
One sound after another.
Resounding through the sky.
Watching this scene in front of him, Zhan Jun felt a little emotional——
The latest novel is published first on Liu9shuba!
Because of Gawain, and not just because of Gawain.
Since Federer took over the title of tennis king from Sampras, the ATP tennis world has fully entered the era of giants. They are experiencing the best and most exciting time in tennis, but to be honest, Federer and Nadal still have a unique status in the hearts of fans.
From Djokovic to Murray, then to Wawrinka and finally to Gowan, they have never been able to create a phenomenal response on a global scale. After all, the birth of an idol and the formation of a symbol are never that simple, and this is true for any competitive sport.
Now, Federer and Nadal are still at the top, and it is almost an impossible task for other players to break their influence or even replace their idol status. Perhaps only after they retire, the tennis world will be ready to welcome a new symbol.
However! No one expected that Gawain would appear.
Although Gawain cannot be compared with Federer and Nadal yet, relying on the support of Asia, this young man is conquering more and more fans step by step with his actual performance. As a challenger and a new generation, the storm he brings is sweeping all around.
A phenomenon? It is indeed in the making.
Even the O2 Arena is no exception.
The overwhelming applause and cheers gathered together an incredible energy that lingered for a long time, once again making the O2 Arena a historic moment.
Zhan Jun's heart was surging, and he couldn't help but start looking forward to it -
We are looking forward to Gao Wen’s subsequent performance in this year’s year-end finals, whether he can live up to the expectations and hopes, continue to climb to the top, and conquer more fans with his performance on the field, just like on the Grand Slam stage.
I am even more looking forward to Gawain's future. Next year, the year after, and the next five years, to see what level Gawain can maintain and how many miracles he can create. Everything is just like when Federer appears on the stage, and everything is just like when Nadal appears on the stage. They are becoming witnesses of history.
Zhan Jun took a deep breath and controlled himself a little. This was just the first game of the year-end finals and there was no need to get too excited. However, his heart still beat uncontrollably, hitting his chest one after another. He watched the scene in front of him with a smile on his face.
Brilliant, dazzling, and brilliant.
I couldn't help but calm down and listen quietly to the shouts hitting my eardrums and stirring up huge waves.
"Fight!"
On the second day of the year-end finals, the smoke of war finally cleared, and the first match of the Ilie-Nastase group made people feel the excitement of the Huashan Sword Contest.
And this is just the beginning.
After the second doubles match, the O2 Arena ushered in the final clash of the first round of the group stage.
"Nadal VS Murray".
The host audience celebrated the New Year.
(End of this chapter)