Chapter 347: The Birth of a Fan

"He didn't hear it. Mom, he didn't hear it!"

Jannik-Sinner protested strongly to his mother with a look of grievance on his face.

If the crowd of spectators leaving the theater had not been so overwhelming that it delayed his progress, how could he have missed Gawain?

But what should he do? Who can he blame? "Tomorrow, Yannick, tomorrow we will go to watch Gao Wen's game. No, no, practice. We can go to watch his practice."

Siglinde-Sinner patted her son's shoulder gently to comfort him, but the words of comfort seemed to have no effect.

This game is this game. A signature leaves a memory and an imprint. Changing the time and place will make it different.

Sinner just met Gao Wen the day before yesterday. He watched Gao Wen's match on the big screen outside the Arthur Ashe Stadium, including the third and fourth sets. He was deeply impressed by Gao Wen and came to Court 17 today specifically to watch Gao Wen's second round match up close.

She was not surprised that her son liked Gao Wen. Even she herself, who watched the five-set battle live, was deeply impressed by Gao Wen's performance. Moreover, her son had been practicing tennis for some time, and his own playing style was quite similar to Gao Wen's, so she was naturally more impressed.

Ever since Sinner started learning tennis, he has always liked players who are tenacious and varied in their games. At first, he liked Spanish superstar Nadal, whose competitive temperament was his favorite; later, he liked the "Swiss Goat (GOAT)" Federer, because he liked Federer's interpretation and control of the game.

Now seeing Gawain's understanding of the game up close, and opening a door for Sinner again, he can't help but get excited.

However, she was a little surprised to see Sinner's eagerness - after just two games, did he already like Gawain so much? Or was he just a little emotional because he missed the opportunity so close? Then, she saw Gawain coming back.

Even though she didn't like Gao Wen so madly, she couldn't help but feel happy at this moment and patted her son's shoulders repeatedly.

"Yannick, look! Look!"

Sinner subconsciously turned his head, and then saw Gawain coming towards him. The sudden surprise made Sinner smile. He raised the tennis ball in his arms high, and cheers couldn't help but break free, bubbling up continuously.

"Hey, sorry, my mind was so busy with the game that I apparently didn't notice what was going on behind me."

Gao Wen came up to him with a smile on his face, and took the tennis ball, which was as big as a basketball, from his hand.

"You know what? You're my first fan at the US Open. I've never signed a tennis ball before. Maybe you can give me some advice."

Sinner could feel the kindness and warmth behind Gawain's light words, and couldn't help but smile. "This is also my first signed tennis ball at the US Open. You just need to write on it. If you can write it for Yannick, that would be great, but it doesn't matter if you can't."

Signed tennis balls are a very special tradition in tennis. Tournament organizers have designed tennis balls of different sizes, including original size, football size, basketball size, and even giant tennis balls. The smallest tennis ball can be signed by one player, while the largest tennis ball can collect signatures from twenty or thirty players.

Therefore, you can often see a group of fans holding tennis balls of different sizes waiting for the players to sign for them next to the court or training ground.

Occasionally, these signed tennis balls are resold, and naturally the more signatures a tennis ball has, the more valuable it is. This is so common that at every Grand Slam tournament, there are fans who specifically collect signatures to earn some extra money.

It is also because of the size of the tennis ball that players usually only sign their own names when signing, and will not write "dedicated to someone" separately, mainly because there is no space.

Since the child in front of him said that he wanted it to be marked "Dedicated to", it means that this was for his own collection and use, and he gave Gawain special treatment.

Gawain was a little surprised, and a smile rose up, sparsely reflected in his eyes, "Yannick? How do you spell it?"

"JANNIK", Sinner couldn't contain his excitement as he spelled his name.

Gao Wen quickly signed, "Oh, Yannick, where are you from in New York?" Because the pronunciation of the name didn't sound like you were from the United States, at least you should be an immigrant.

"San Candido!" Sinner gave a somewhat unexpected answer.

San Candido? That's... Italy?

Gao Wen's eyes suddenly brightened up. "I never thought that I would have fans in Italy. Ha! It seems that I am now an international superstar."

The witty and humorous words made both Sinner and his mother beside him laugh.

"Dear Yannick, thank you for liking my game. We all know that victory is sweet, but I also know now that in addition to victory, there are many happy moments in competitive sports, such as now." Gawain took the initiative to extend his right hand, shook Sinner's little hand in a friendly manner, and said solemnly.

Sinna's eyes suddenly brightened.

Sinner took his tennis ball from Gawain with both hands - there was only one signature on it at the moment. He looked at his own name also appearing on it and couldn't help but smile with satisfaction.

Sinner stood there, staring at Gawain eagerly. He wanted to take a picture, but was a little worried that his request was too greedy. After all, Gawain had just finished such a hard game, and he should not delay Gawain's rest. But he heard Gawain's voice again.

"Excuse me, could you please take a picture with me? I am the first fan in Flushing Meadows."

The latest novel is published first on Liu9shuba!

This was clearly what Sinna wanted but she didn't dare to speak out. However, Gawain said it in this way, and Sinna's little face suddenly lit up.

Gao Wen didn't turn around and leave until the photo service was over.

Sinner watched Gawain's back as he left, and without warning, he turned to look at his mother, then said firmly, "From today on, I've decided that Gawain is my idol!"

"Oh? What about Roger?" Sieglinde was not surprised at all. Children are like that. They like things in waves.

Sinner's experience is similar to that of Gao Wen. He started playing tennis at the age of seven because his father was crazy about tennis. At the same time, Sinner himself is a professional skier. It was not until last year that Sinner made a choice between football, skiing and tennis.

He finally chose tennis.

Of course, Sinner's idol has changed twice. The first one was actually the legendary American alpine skier Bode-Miller, then Nadal, then Federer, and now Galvin? It's nothing strange.

After all, watching a match live and on TV are two different things. Sinner has never watched a match between Nadal or Federer live, nor has he watched such an intense and close match. It is normal for him to be shocked today.

Sinner didn't know what his mother was thinking, he just clenched his fist secretly, "I like the look in Gao Wen's eyes during the game, mom, you know? His whole body is glowing."

Sieglinde was slightly surprised, with a thoughtful look in his eyes.

(End of this chapter)