Chapter 780: Entertaining the Public
This year's offseason is a very precious time for Gao Wen.
Although Sampras had been his coach since September, the schedule in September and October was too busy. It was not until the off-season that they had time to systematically sort out some tactics, adjust techniques, etc.
It is precisely because of this that Agassi's joining is very timely. The collision of inspiration between the two strong contenders for the best in history opens the door to a whole new world for Gao Wen.
For a long time, Gao Wen thought he had a system and didn't need to worry about technical and tactical training, but Agassi and Sampras showed Gao Wen with their actions:
The world of tennis is vast and profound.
From serving action to receiving tactics to forehand application, technical movements, tactical thinking, etc. all require detailed adjustments. This is much more complicated and difficult than training in the gym. It is not enough to just spend time on the training ground. It also requires energy, investment, and the help of the brain.
Now, all these adjustments and changes need to be tested and polished through actual competitions. Only in this way can they gradually become your own skills and become an important part of your game.
Generally speaking, technical adjustments are very painful because they involve changing one's own game habits and combat style, and often require a period of pain.
It is in this context that the value of the Doha doubles tournament becomes more prominent:
The opportunity to partner with a top player like Nadal is rare, which makes Gawain more adventurous and more daring to take action.
Before heading to Melbourne to play the Australian Open, Gao Wen needs more time on the court to adapt to the new self.
Gao Wen did not set any performance goals for Doha. His only goal was to stay on the field as long as possible and hone himself.
Obviously, playing doubles with Nadal, things couldn't be more perfect.
Someone once said that in tennis matches, singles and doubles can be said to be two categories, and the intensity and quality are not at the same level.
It is true that doubles matches require tacit understanding and cooperation. The experts who have focused on doubles for many years are absolutely outstanding, and their interpretation of the game has reached a higher level; but if two singles players join forces to participate in a doubles match, the chance of winning is always higher for one side.
The reason for saying this is not because we look down on the strength of doubles experts, but because of two reasons: first, the overall personal strength of singles players is stronger; second, singles players also have unique insights into tactics and use of court space.
Of course, nothing is absolute. This is just a theoretical analysis on paper. To see the specific results, we still need to go on the court and compete with real swords to determine who is better.
However, the game currently being played can prove this "theory" to some extent -
Four players who mainly focused on singles teamed up to compete in doubles. In the back and forth confrontation, the gap between them gradually widened and their singles strength gradually became apparent.
With one set in hand, the Gawain and Nadal duo gradually found their magic in the second set:
The collision of individual strength and tacit cooperation created sparks! "2:1".
At the beginning of the second set, both sides held their serve. Gawain and Nadal, who served first, took the lead, and then got a break point again in Bolelli's serve.
Moreover, three in a row.
"0:40".
Faced with consecutive break points, with no way to retreat, Bolelli and Mayer played more aggressively and proactively.
First, he squeezed Gao Wen's serve with close serve, and then relied on Mayer's net rush to create frontcourt pressure, and then Borelli went to the net.
One on the left and one on the right, Borelli and Mayer firmly held the advantage in front of the net, playing tennis like badminton. The whole rhythm was directly raised to a new level, pressing the two opponents at the baseline and making them breathless.
Gawain and Nadal were trying to break the net, but the ball was too fast throughout the round and the adjustment space was very limited. The gap between advantages and disadvantages became larger and larger, and the two players were very passive.
However, this does not mean that the two players will sit back and wait for death.
Holding three consecutive break points means they have the capital to "waste" and it doesn't matter even if they lose the point, so they should give it a try.
In this regard, Gawain and Nadal are the same and will never hesitate when they should take action.
Strong topspin!
Nadal made the first move, disrupting Mayer's rhythm of intercepting in the frontcourt; then Gawain made the next move, hitting strongly towards Borelli's backhand.
Borelli also felt the danger. The defense between him and Mayer was loosening in the continuous and intense rotation, so he made changes.
He took a step back, turned sideways, and used a backhand to slice the ball. Instead of blocking the ball back, he sliced a small ball with strong outward rotation, and after landing, he flicked it out of the court:
Short and sharp, light and shallow.
Clearly, Burelli saw the danger.
Gawain and Nadal were suppressed near the baseline, but both of them were relying on their personal abilities to launch strong attacks, trying to break through head-on.
But Burelli also saw an opportunity.
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He chose to use a small ball in front of the net to break the cooperation between the two players, making full use of the entire court, and then the baseline alliance between Gao Wen and Nadal collapsed.
Uh! At this moment, it can be felt that Nadal is very keen in capturing the opportunity. As soon as he kicks his foot, his body rushes forward.
Borelli's slice was excellent, not only did he unload the force cleanly, but he also cut with good side spin, causing Nadal's footsteps to leave the doubles area directly.
Tap tap tap.
Nadal glided forward with his light steps, and his entire body had completely entered the outside of the court, with his feet continuing to run wildly along the diagonal line outside the doubles line.
Ah! Just as the tennis ball was about to hit the ground, almost before two jumps, Nadal leaned forward and lightly hit it with a one-handed backhand.
The magic moment has arrived.
Not only the spectators, but even the three players standing on the court, all followed the flight trajectory of the tennis ball, watching it intently.
The tennis ball went around the post, cutting a light and thin diagonal line, and then super-spinned back from the outside. The "outside-in" flight curve completely bypassed the positions of Burelli and Mayer, and fell into the blind spot at the bottom line of the opposite half of the court with a thunderous posture.
Within the boundaries!
BERELLI: Shocked.
MAYER: Wink.
Gawain's heart also stopped beating for a brief moment, and then joy and happiness exploded. The magic of tennis was fully demonstrated. He subconsciously raised his hands high, without making any sound, just watching the tennis ball land, his eyes full of admiration.
Wow! The whole audience was stunned: Nadal, completing another "Nadal moment". Even if you see it up close, it is still hard to believe your eyes.
So, can anyone tell me how that happened? Is there a video playback function on the scene so that everyone can enjoy the return again before the jaw is dislocated? Oh, and remember to prepare popcorn before watching the video playback.
(End of this chapter)