Chapter 720: First appearance
Huh...
Gao Wen let out a long, drawn-out breath, adjusting his breathing and staying focused.
Everything happened too fast and too urgently.
From learning that Raonic was determined to withdraw from the game, to coming on as a substitute, to going to the training ground to warm up and practice, and then turning around and preparing to play in the game.
Everything happened in four hours, which was obviously different from any other competition.
For other competitions, the schedule is fixed and can be known one day in advance. Then we can adjust it according to the game time and move towards the stadium step by step; but now everything is coming at once, and the whole mood is naturally different.
With the first appearance in the year-end finals and the overwhelming attention, everything became even more intense.
Before this, all attention was focused on current events. The excitement of being on stage and the joy of fighting occupied the brain, leaving no room for thinking.
Now, standing at the entrance of the player tunnel preparing to go on the field, a host of disturbing thoughts began to grow and spread.
But Sampras told Gawain that it was part of the game.
In Grand Slam tournaments, because of the best-of-five format and natural weather conditions, the uncertainty of match time is further magnified and accidents may also increase.
If the previous game continues to be delayed, it may disrupt all subsequent schedules.
Sometimes, the organizers do nothing and let the players wait, so that the game is moved to the next day.
Sometimes, organizers will make arrangements in advance, adjust the competition venue, or simply cancel some matches.
Sometimes, players finish warming up and arrive at the court to wait for their turn to play, but the game is not over yet, so their muscles cool down, and they have to go back to the gym to warm up again, and then go back to the court to wait, but the game is still not over. This warm-up is repeated three or four times, forming a cycle -
It affects the feel, condition, mentality, concentration, etc.
But the key is that this is part of the game and every player may face it and needs to face it.
Gao Wen has been in the professional arena for less than half a year, and his lack of experience is still obvious, so it is a good thing for him to go through some things and grow quickly.
"Just do what you've always done, focus on training and the games, that's the best way."
Sampras believed in Gawain.
After the incident, their entire team was more or less in a hurry, but Gao Wen's attention was always highly focused, which made him feel relieved.
Now, all Gawain needs to do is focus on the battle.
Take a deep breath, and take another deep breath.
Then, Gawain closed his eyes and carefully felt his wildly beating heart. His heartbeat was so violent because of anticipation, enthusiasm and excitement.
Calming down, my five senses gradually became clearer, and the turbulence and madness in the air also became more real and concrete, as if a wild tango was being performed on the surface of my skin. The grandeur and noise of the O2 stadium collided with hot sparks, turning into tiny particles, drilling into my blood vessels through my pores, and then -
Burning fiercely.
From the Grand Slam to the Masters to the year-end finals, the dream is moving forward step by step, one "first" after another, one "history" after another, and the pace has never stopped.
The Huashan Sword Contest is about to begin.
Then, there is only one thing he needs to do now:
Walk onto the court, swing the racket, and hit the ball.
Sweat, bloom, and fight to the end! "...Ladies and gentlemen, let us welcome Gao...Wen..."
Inside the stadium, there was a noise coming from far away, accompanied by applause and cheers, like a tsunami, and the world also became brighter.
tread.
Gawain took one step at a time, and then his concentration returned little by little. When he opened his eyes, he could see the dazzling blue light of the entire venue interweaving together, creating the most magnificent and grand scene in the world.
first step.
This is his first step on the O2 Arena in the year-end finals, just like Arthur Ashe Stadium, and it will definitely not be the last step.
The soles of my feet feel the solidity of the ground, and then I walk more and more firmly and lightly.
First it was Takafumi, then Kei Nishikori.
The entire venue burst into thunderous applause, and even broke out into the most grand and noisy wave of enthusiasm since the start of the competition five days ago, which deeply reflected the audience's high hopes.
"... CCTV, CCTV..."
"We are now broadcasting live for you..."
"...at the O2 Arena in London..."
"This match was supposed to be between Raonic..."
"…The new US Open champion comes on as a substitute…"
Television frequencies are woven into a big net, covering every corner of the world. The commentators are busy introducing the game situation, including the ins and outs of Gawain's appearance, the past matches between Gawain and Kei Nishikori, the current qualifying situation of Group B, and so on.
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The storm is coming and the wind is blowing in the building.
On the court, Gao Wen and Kei Nishikori have completed the pre-match handshake and coin-guessing session and officially entered the warm-up.
Kei Nishikori guessed the coin correctly and chose the court on the right side, which also meant that he was the first to receive the serve.
Seemingly familiar.
Because the same thing happened in the quarterfinals of the US Open, Kei Nishikori guessed the coin and then chose to receive the serve. It can't be said to be very similar, it can only be said to be exactly the same.
Then?
Then, Gao Wen fell behind at "0:40" in his first service game and gave away three consecutive break points. After saving two, he was still broken.
No matter now or in the distant future, Kei Nishikori's games are always consistent, with super strong breaking ability, struggling ability to hold serve, and the peaks and troughs are always consistent; and 2014 was the starting point of Kei Nishikori's peak form, his breaking ability was top-notch, and naturally he was full of confidence.
It can be said that among the new generation of male players, most players - such as Raonic - base their games on their serve games, but Kei Nishikori is a small minority. His games are based on receiving serve games, and his form is determined by receiving serve.
Gao Wen, I'm mentally prepared.
Snap. Snap. Snap.
The sound of the ball bouncing reverberates in the O2 Arena, and the echo is particularly clear, as if it can hit the chest directly. The packed stands further amplify the echo effect. From vision to hearing, and even to the touch of the skin, all details show the difference.
Last week, the Accor Arena could accommodate 15,000 spectators; this week, the O2 Arena can accommodate 20,000, and there is a huge difference in the adaptability of the entire stadium.
"There is another detail in this game that is worth noting."
"For Gawain, this is his first time at the O2 Arena and his first appearance on such an important stage as the year-end finals in his career."
"On the other side of the net, Kei Nishikori is also a rookie in the year-end finals, but he has already faced two giant players at the O2 Arena."
"In terms of experience and feelings, Kei Nishikori undoubtedly has the upper hand, which also poses more challenges to Gao Wen..."
In the studio, Tong Kexin's words were still ringing in his ears when the situation on the court suddenly changed.
"40:0".
In a blink of an eye, Gao Wen scored three points in a row to establish an advantage.
(End of this chapter)