Table tennis: Swinging the racket billions of times, achieving a grand slam

Chapter 343 Post-Match Boasting
After shaking hands with the opponent and the referee respectively.

As he walked toward the rest area, Zhang Jiahao slightly raised his head and looked around.

Cheers erupted from the stands.

Like a symphony, it sounds so beautiful and melodious, so moving and soul-stirring.

Zhang Jiahao's heart began to race.

Suddenly, he felt that he seemed to like this atmosphere.

Being the center of attention, surrounded by admirers... that feeling is so much better than just showing off.

This was just an ordinary Round of 16 match.

It's hard to imagine what it would feel like to win the men's doubles title at this Singapore Grand Slam.

Even the World Table Tennis Championships men's doubles champion, the Olympic men's doubles gold medalist...

The more he thought about it, the more excited Zhang Jiahao became, and he suddenly became very excited.

"Played well."

Wang Hao, beaming, stood up to greet him.

He extended his hand and gave the two of them a high five.

This match was almost a one-sided massacre.

The score clearly shows it.

Therefore, Wang Hao sat on the sidelines, not putting in much effort, and even lost out in terms of emotional value, transforming into a ruthless clapping machine.

It has to be said that Chen Jin's matches, whether singles or doubles, are always extremely reassuring.

He's nothing like Coach Zhiqiang's rebellious son.

"They had excellent teamwork and were very aggressive, especially on those crucial points in the third set."

Wang Hao glanced at Zhang Jiahao and said, "For someone to perform like this in such a major competition for the first time, it's quite impressive."

Zhang Jiahao was flattered to receive praise from the head coach of the men's table tennis team.

"I'm still far from good enough; it's thanks to Brother Jin's guidance."

Zhang Jiahao grinned.

His words were by no means humble.

Given his initial mistakes, he would have lost long ago if Chen Jin hadn't covered for him.

"Double is like giving birth; it's a two-person affair."

Chen Jin laughed and said, "If you don't play well, I alone can't win at all."

"No no no."

Zhang Jiahao said seriously, "With your skills, Brother Jin, you could win even if you had a dog by your side."

"okay."

Wang Hao interrupted their mutual flattery, saying, "This is only the first match. The opponents will get stronger and stronger, so we can't let our guard down."

"The key is to secure the men's doubles title this time."

Hear this.

While packing his things, Zhang Jiahao tentatively asked, "Coach Wang, if we win the championship, will we have a chance to participate in the World Table Tennis Championships doubles?"

He knew very well that, given his current condition, qualifying for the World Table Tennis Championships singles event was hopeless.

However, the doubles qualification might be something to consider.

"What?"

Wang Hao looked at Zhang Jiahao with a half-smile, "You've only won one match, and you're already getting greedy, dreaming of participating in the World Table Tennis Championships?"

It's important to know that the World Table Tennis Championships is the dream stage for all professional athletes.

Even doubles spots are highly sought after.

It is not an ordinary candidate who can be selected.

Not to mention the fiercely competitive Chinese national table tennis team, which must go through multiple rounds of selection and comprehensive consideration.

Even if a player has been with the Chinese national table tennis team for more than a decade, they may not be able to qualify for the World Table Tennis Championships if they fail to make it into the main team.

For a player like Zhang Jiahao, who is new to the Chinese national table tennis team, being able to participate in the WTT Grand Slam is already an act of leniency from the coaching staff.

Unexpectedly, Zhang Jiahao was still not satisfied and kept looking for more.

"This is not wishful thinking, this is a dream."

Zhang Jiahao grinned.

His slightly immature face was radiant with an innocent smile.

His clear eyes brimmed with the aspirations of a young boy.

Wang Hao's heart stirred slightly.

Suddenly, he remembered himself from back then.

Back then, when he had just turned twenty, he was full of vigor and ambition.

I am full of anticipation for the Olympics.

Even on the eve of the competition, in his youthful impetuosity, he ignored his mentor's scolding and went bungee jumping.

Unfortunately, the defeat at the Athens Olympics burdened him with unimaginable insults and pressure at the most promising age.

From that moment on, the youthful spirit he once possessed vanished without a trace overnight.

"If they perform well, not to mention the World Table Tennis Championships, even the Los Angeles Olympics won't be a problem."

Wang Hao smiled slightly.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jiahao's eyes lit up as if he had been injected with adrenaline, and he became excited: "Really?"

"of course."

Wang Hao nodded with a smile.

The World Table Tennis Championships are just around the corner, but the men's doubles spots have not yet been finalized.

According to the coaching staff's plan, Chen Jin, Lin Shidong, Liang Jingkun, Lin Gaoyuan, Xiang Peng, Yuan Licen and others are all on the shortlist.

Anyway, there are still two or three months until the World Table Tennis Championships.

Before this, pairing up the players was like raising a cult, from which the two most suitable men's doubles pairs were selected.

The reason why Chen Jin and Zhang Jiahao were able to participate in the New York Grand Slam men's doubles tournament this time was also due to the same consideration.

"For the World Table Tennis Championships, for Luo Ao, my inner power is about to explode."

As if an electric current shot up his spine to the top of his head, Zhang Jiahao clenched his fists, his eyes resolute, "Go for it!"

Mixed mining area.

Reporters had already set up their cameras and microphones and had been waiting for a long time.

Zhang Jiahao followed behind Chen Jin and witnessed this scene, his heart racing once again.

"Chen Jin and Zhang Jiahao, congratulations on winning today's doubles match."

A sweet-looking female reporter, holding a microphone, asked the first question, "I'd like to ask Chen Jin first, this is your first time participating in a WTT Grand Slam doubles competition. Compared to singles, what are your special feelings?"

"No."

Chen Jin smiled calmly, "Double is the same as singles, just give it your all."

"So how would you rate your partner?"

The female reporter continued, "How did you feel about your partner's performance today?"

"I think it's not about what I think," Chen Jin said with a smile, "because the result of the competition is enough to answer all the questions."

Knowing that she wouldn't get any interesting information from Chen Jin, the female reporter then turned her attention to Zhang Jiahao.

"Zhang Jiahao".

The female reporter asked, "As a newcomer, partnering with a world-class player like Chen Jin, do you feel a lot of pressure during the competition?"

"will not."

Zhang Jiahao blurted out, "Jin Ge and I are like father and son."

Like...father and son?
The female reporter paused for a moment, then corrected, "It's more like brothers, isn't it?"

"Do not."

Zhang Jiahao said solemnly, "Brothers fight tigers, and fathers and sons go into battle together."

"Uh……"

The female reporter couldn't quite grasp Zhang Jiahao's thought process, so she changed the subject, "What are your expectations for the upcoming matches?"

"Yes, I would like to have a heart-to-heart talk with our next opponent."

Zhang Jiahao straightened his back and looked directly at the camera, saying, "As long as Chen Jin stands by my side, no matter who goes up, the runner-up position is your ceiling."

"Because we've got the championship in the bag."

This statement came out.

It sounded as if it had been spoken with a resounding force.

The scene fell silent for a few seconds.

All eyes were focused on Zhang Jiahao.

How dare an unknown newcomer utter such arrogant words?

This isn't opening your heart, it's stabbing your opponent in the heart with a knife!

It's not hard to imagine the sensation this interview will cause once it gets out.

This will undoubtedly be seen as a provocation by all the players.

"Cough cough..."

The female reporter seemed taken aback and handed the microphone to Chen Jin, hoping he would say something to clarify, "Chen Jin, do you think Zhang Jiahao's words were a bit... disrespectful of his opponent?"

"Fortunately."

Chen Jin smiled slightly, "Because we were all too young and didn't know the immensity of the world."

The interview is over.

On the way to the training hall.

Zhang Jiahao took out his phone and realized that his interview had actually gone viral.

"A newcomer with such a big mouth? He just won one game and he's already opening champagne at halftime. He really doesn't know his own limitations."

"There's nothing wrong with being young and impetuous. In competitive sports, what you need is that shameless confidence and drive."

"Kid is arrogant enough, I like it."

"They have the right to be arrogant. They don't even look at who their partner is. It's no exaggeration to say that if my doubles partner were Chen Jin, I think I could also make it to the World Table Tennis Championships."

……

Scroll down to see the mixed reviews.

Zhang Jiahao's fingers slid across the screen, his feelings a mix of emotions.

When he gets excited, he tends to speak without thinking, but he regrets it later.

This feeling of being noticed secretly pleased him.

Don't look at your phone while walking.

Chen Jin reminded him.

"Brother Jin."

Zhang Jiahao quickly put his phone back in his backpack. "Was I too arrogant just now?"

"It's actually not bad."

Chen Jin smiled slightly, "If you and I are partners and we don't even have this much ambition, we might as well go our separate ways and wish each other well."

"As expected of my brother Jin, you really understand me."

Zhang Jiahao laughed and said, "Many people online are criticizing me for talking big and telling me to be careful not to blow my own horn."

"It's very simple."

Chen Jin smiled faintly, "Winning isn't just boasting, it's a prophecy."

Her words, like honey, instantly touched Zhang Jiahao's heart.

soon.

The two arrived at the training hall without stopping.

Xie Mingyang had been waiting for a long time.

According to today's schedule, Chen Jin will have a doubles match and a singles match later in the day.

His opponent was the French legend Simon Gauzy.

Put down your backpack and take out your racket.

Without much rest, Chen Jin immediately threw himself into singles warm-up training.

Every shot was executed with the precision of a machine.

Forehand smashes and backhand rips, combined with light and agile footwork, flowed smoothly and meticulously.

There are no fancy techniques, only the basic skills honed through countless hours of practice.

Zhang Jiahao sat on the ground, playing on his phone.

At this moment.

News about "Chen Jin's POW camp" is constant and the place is bustling with activity.

After all, having won a doubles match, Zhang Jiahao posted many impressive photos of the game in the group chat, just to show off.

Just as he was boasting, Ding Xiaowei sent him a link.

Upon opening it, I found a pre-match interview video of Simon Gauzy.

"Although Chen Jin is very strong, I may be the first person to defeat him."

Zhang Jiahao couldn't help but laugh out loud and handed his phone to Chen Jin, who was drinking water and wiping his sweat.

"Brother Jin."

Zhang Jiahao smiled and said, "Please give your evaluation."

"not bad."

Chen Jin glanced at it, a slight smile playing on his lips.

"what?"

Zhang Jiahao was somewhat surprised, "Don't you think Simon Gauzy was being provocative?"

"Is this considered a provocation?"

Chen Jin smiled faintly, "If he doesn't even have the confidence and courage to defeat me, then he doesn't deserve to stand opposite me and become my opponent."

(End of this chapter)