Chapter 2033 Focus on Yourself
If Djokovic advances to the final, regardless of Gawain's performance, he will be the world's number one at the end of the year.
If Djokovic advances to the semifinals, Gawain will need to win the title to become the year-end world number one.
If Djokovic is eliminated in the group stage, Gawain will need to win the championship to become the world number one at the end of the year.
Clear at a glance——
In other words, Djokovic's performance actually has nothing to do with Gawain, because no matter what the situation, if Gawain wants to become the world's number one at the end of the year, the first necessary condition is to win the final championship himself, otherwise everything will be in vain.
He needs to take control of his own destiny.
So, when the media began to make a fuss because Djokovic's fate in the group stage was still undecided, Gao Wen did not waver at all.
Focused, calm, and composed.
Gao Wen, as always, displayed a maturity and wisdom that was inconsistent with his age, and once again made the reporter's attempt to create a stir hit a wall, and the atmosphere was somewhat funny.
The back-and-forth conversation of questions and answers stopped without warning because the reporter shut up, and the press conference room fell into a brief silence.
You look at me, I look at you, and the awkwardness and stalemate between us subtly surges in the air.
Then.
Gawain shrugged slightly.
"I think I still have a little say in mathematics."
One second, two seconds...
The whole audience burst into laughter.
Although the reporters tried to create chaos again and again but were suppressed by Gao Wen, the cheerful atmosphere in the press conference room was still incredibly present throughout.
This is the charm of Gawain.
Then Gao Wen can be seen raising his right hand and looking at the reporter with expectation in his eyes.
"No one cares about my next match with Rafa?"
"Honestly, I'm ready for questions. I believe this will be a special match. Are you ready to listen to my boring and tedious official speech?"
Eager to try, ready to go.
The lighthearted and joking tone still couldn't conceal the fact that this was the focus of Gao Wen's attention.
From last year's Shanghai to this year's Melbourne and then to Roland Garros, Gao Wen and Nadal have faced each other many times on different occasions.
Obviously, this isn't the first time and shouldn't feel special.
However, in Gao Wen's view, this game has special significance.
Since last year, Nadal has been plagued by injuries and is far from being in his best condition. Unfortunately, his peak and Gawain's peak were staggered, so among the Big Four, Gawain and Nadal have the least number of encounters.
However! Even with Nadal at a low level, the two matches at the Australian Open and the French Open still left a deep impression on Gawain. After all, the left-hander's playing style is indeed different, and even outside of clay, he still shows his personality.
Gao Wen couldn't help but look forward to what it would be like if he met Nadal who had recovered to his best form. Not long ago, Gao Wen and Nadal met in the semi-finals in Shanghai. Gao Wen won after a hard-fought three-set victory. At that time, Nadal had already shown signs of recovery. Now in London, he has further recovered his style.
Nadal defeated Murray and Wawrinka in straight sets with a clean and decisive victory, showing the demeanor of a god of war without losing a single drop of blood. Such Nadal is slowly approaching full health and returning to the ranks of top competitors.
and!
This is London, this is the year-end finals. Different from the fierce competition in the Grand Slams, this is a true battle of wits on Mount Huashan. The atmosphere of the whole competition is slightly different. Meeting the top players on such a stage will be a brand new experience, not to mention that this is a "brand new" indoor hard court.
From any perspective, from any level, this is a game not to be missed.
For Gao Wen himself, the purpose of coming to London this year could not be clearer.
Champion? World No. 1 at the end of the year?
Of course, without a doubt.
However, in Gao Wen's view, whether it is the world's number one at the end of the year or the champion of the year-end finals, these are all extra rewards. The real focus is still the game itself. Every game at the O2 Stadium is worth commemorating and worthy of attention. From Wawrinka to Murray, every game is particularly anticipated.
Now, it's Nadal's turn.
Expectations continued to rise, especially after the first two rounds of the group stage, reaching a new peak.
At the moment, Gao Wen's only focus is Nadal, that's all.
"Rafa is a special player. No matter what the situation, no matter what the situation, he will give his all. Maybe the energy is not the same, but there is no doubt that every time he steps on the court, he will give 100% of himself to the game, without reservation and without retreat."
"I'm looking forward to meeting Rafa on clay again, but obviously, the clay season is still a while away, but the same goes for the O2 as well."
"It has nothing to do with the qualifying order of the group. I am just looking forward to playing against Rafa. I think I will have a good rest tomorrow and be ready for the day after tomorrow."
The words were indeed official and polite, and nothing new, but the sincerity and happiness between the words were real, and that was what Gawain thought.
Here, Gawain did not hide his excitement.
On the other hand, Nadal rarely showed his humor.
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"Can I say 'no'?"
This response successfully made the reporters in the press conference room burst into laughter.
"There is no doubt that Gawain is a tough opponent, but also a great opponent, and every encounter with him is a severe test."
"In fact, I am looking forward to this meeting as well."
"At the moment, Gawain is one of the best players in the world, just like Novak and Roger. I am still trying to get my best game back, so playing against Gawain is a test and a challenge. I am ready to get back to such a level and such an intensity."
"I will do my best."
"I just beat him yesterday afternoon, so I think that should give me some confidence."
reporter:???
Yesterday afternoon?
Reporter: "Practice match?"
They didn't remember that Gawain and Nadal had a practice match yesterday afternoon.
Nadal said seriously, "No, Pro Evolution Soccer. I beat his Manchester United with Real Madrid."
Then, pause.
Nadal added, "3:0," raised his right hand and stretched out three fingers, smiling.
The whole audience burst into laughter.
Nadal was also very happy because his little prank was successful, with smiles all over his mouth and eyes. Although he could not compare with Gawain, the press conference room was also full of joy. This once again allowed reporters to witness the friendship between Nadal and Gawain, which was indeed well-deserved.
When social networks and news media are focusing on hot spots, gimmicks and topics, whether it is Gao Wen or Nadal, they still focus on themselves.
This is not easy.
After all, the year-end finals is the highest stage for the Huashan Sword Contest, not to mention, a series of historical records, including the year-end world No. 1, are ready to go. Just imagining it can't help but make your blood boil, and I'm afraid no one is an exception.
However, Gao Wen still blocked out all the noise outside the stadium, focusing on the game and himself.
Soon, facts proved Gawain's wisdom.
Because the situations that the reporters were worried about, those "maybes", those "what ifs", those "special situations", did not happen.
(End of this chapter)