Tennis: He's so obedient!

Chapter 126 Lifting the Chinese Cup, Olympic Spot (Please Subscribe)

Even after the celebration, Jiang Hong did not forget Gonzalez.

Turning around, he walked to the net and shook hands with the other person. "Sorry, I got a little excited!"

“It’s okay, I was even crazier than you when I won my first tour title!” Gonzalez shook his head.

Although the opposing team was very aggressive during the match, they were quite polite off the field.

After shaking hands with the referee, the reporters who were interviewing him also came over!

"Congratulations Jiang Hong, you have successfully won the China Open championship, and are currently the number one tour champion in China. How do you feel about this?"

"Hmm!" Jiang Hong composed himself. "It might be an inspiration for male tennis players. Since I was able to win this championship, I believe that other tennis players will be able to win championships in the future. I also want to thank the audience who cheered me on at the stadium and in front of the TV. Thank you!"

Jiang Hong's words weren't just polite talk; after all, a tour champion would indeed emerge in the future, as for how long it would take...

He believes that because of his achievement, perhaps the second male tennis player to win a tour title will come sooner.

"Okay, the second question is, with so many spectators watching at the China Open, did you feel nervous?" the reporter continued, asking the second question.

"Yes, I did experience some mental fluctuations during the match, but it wasn't because of the audience!" Jiang Hong paused and continued to explain, "Perhaps it was because the first set went relatively smoothly, so I unconsciously became a little complacent. Losing the second set felt like a slap that woke me up again."

"It was only then that I realized I was just a newcomer to the tennis world. As a challenger, of course I had to be bold enough to launch an attack. After adjusting myself, I performed beyond my usual level and luckily won the match!"

"Xiao Jiang is very humble!" After all, Jiang Hong had stated before the competition that his goal was to win the championship, but unexpectedly, after actually winning the championship, he was not so arrogant anymore.

Jiang Hong knew in his heart that if he hadn't been carrying the "excitement" buff, he might not have been able to win the game.

"So what does this championship mean to you?"

"This championship is where I began my journey into the world of tennis, and it also represents what I've told the world of tennis..."

Jiang Hong suddenly raised his head and said loudly.

"I am coming!"

At that moment, Jiang Hong's voice was broadcast throughout China via television!

If it weren't for the huge market or professional sports teams behind them, they wouldn't be able to support themselves by participating in challenge and hope competitions.

Only by making it onto the tour can a player prove that they have the ability to use tournament prize money to support their playing career.

Now that I'm here, I'm going to turn the tennis world upside down!

Finally, the organizing committee has prepared the award ceremony.

Amid cheers from the audience, Jiang Hong raised the Huaxia Cup, a design inspired by the "Golden Cup of Eternal Stability."

He held up the trophy and twirled around in front of the audience.

"we are the champion!"

A deafening cheer erupted from the stands.

They then took a group photo with the organizing committee, with Jiang Hong holding the gold cup and Gonzalez holding the silver tray.

It has to be said that winning the runner-up trophy in tennis is indeed quite embarrassing.

They acted as if they were there to serve food.

As soon as the awards ceremony ended, the surrounding reporters couldn't contain themselves any longer and immediately rushed up to surround Jiang Hongtuan.

The flashes were so bright that Jiang Hong could barely open his eyes.

Although winning the tour title was a pleasant surprise, Jiang Hong gradually calmed down after a brief period of excitement.

After all, the China Open men's singles tournament at this time was only the lowest level of the tour.

There are countless players who have won championships of this caliber, and Jiang Hong's goal is to compete with the Big Three.

Jiang Hong managed to break free from the reporters' encirclement.

I feel like my eyes are about to be blinded by the flash.

As is customary, Jiang Hong took a group photo with his fan club on Baidu Tieba.

After returning to the hotel, I took a shower, changed into clothes specially prepared by the organizing committee, and then had to attend the celebration banquet. Fortunately, the celebration banquet was held in the hotel where they were staying.

As the banquet began, a bizarre scene unfolded: a group of Black and White people dressed in Tang suits.

Seeing that all four finalists had participated, Jiang Hong figured he had paid a hefty appearance fee.

After all, Jiang Hong was the only non-seeded player among the top four.

As the defending champion at the China Open next year, I should receive an appearance fee, right?

Thinking about it this way, Jiang Hong felt much better.

Just as Jiang Hong was about to rest for a while, he suddenly saw a group of people walking towards him. The leader was a woman, followed by a group of people who looked like officials.

"Hello, Jiang Hong, I am Sun Fang from the Tennis Management Center!"

Upon arriving in front of Jiang Hong, the latter extended his hand and introduced himself with a smile.

Upon hearing the introduction, Jiang Hong realized what was going on.

It wasn't that Jiang Hong had heard the other person's name in this life, but rather before he transmigrated.

I learned from some tennis-related marketing videos that the other party was in charge of the solo career development plan for Chinese tennis players. This led to the subsequent surge in achievements by a large number of female tennis players.

Although what you hear most in the domestic sports circle is what these sports associations have done, in reality these sports management centers are the ones who actually make the decisions.

"Hello, Director Sun!"

Jiang Hong smiled and shook hands with the other party.

Although the management center is indeed powerful, I am not a player within the system.

We can't just exclude Jiang Hong from the competition like some other sports, can we?

After all, Chinese tennis doesn't have that much influence yet; whether you can participate depends solely on your ATP ranking.

"Congratulations on winning the China Open championship! You've really given Chinese tennis players a boost!" Director Sun didn't put on airs at all; instead, he appeared very amiable.

Jiang Hong isn't a real young man who gets carried away just because of a few compliments.

"Director Sun, you flatter me..."

After exchanging pleasantries, the two finally got back to the main topic.

“Jiang Hong, it’s like this. As you know, our country will host the Olympics next year. In addition to the 56th ranked player in the world, there will be continental champions, Olympic/Grand Slam champions, and a host country spot!”

"As you know, it's unlikely that domestic men's tennis can directly qualify for the tournament through world rankings. Although we won the women's singles and women's doubles titles at the 06 Asian Games, our men's tennis team didn't win a single medal. So, we can forget about qualifying for the continental championship; the only option is the host country's spot!"

"Xiao Jiang, you are currently the highest-level tennis player in our country, so I wonder if you would be willing to play for the country!"

While there are indeed many top-ranked female tennis players, Jiang Hong is undoubtedly the best in tennis.

Without the slightest hesitation, Jiang Hong said firmly.

"It has always been my dream to represent our country in the Olympic Games!"

Director Sun's eyes lit up. Who said Jiang Hong was difficult to talk to before!

"That's great! I can guarantee you right now that as long as you don't get injured, the qualification to represent China in the men's singles tennis competition at the Beijing Olympics is yours. This can be written into the contract!" Director Sun also gave Jiang Hong a direct promise.

Jiang Hong was not pleased by this; instead, he asked a new question.

"I heard that participating in the Olympics requires intensive training. I wonder how long our tennis team needs to train?"

This is the issue that Jiang Hong is most concerned about, since China really likes to hold training camps for major competitions.

However, opinions on the effectiveness vary.

Director Sun wasn't quite sure about this either, and turned his head away.

The national team's head coach stepped forward and explained, "The current training plan for the national team consists of nine weeks of winter training, one week of hard court training, two weeks of clay court training, and one month of pre-Olympic training!"

Jiang Hong chuckled and then said, "Director Sun, my current plan is to participate in as many competitions as possible to improve my skills through competition, and I also want to try to see if I can directly qualify for the competition through rankings!"

Everyone was surprised to hear this, even though Jiang Hong had won the China Open.

However, in order to improve one's ranking so much in a short period of time, in addition to skill, luck is also very important.

If the draw is full of top players, you'll be exhausted from the relentless battles and won't be able to perform well.

Director Sun realized that Jiang Hong didn't want to participate in the training camp, so he wanted to hear what Jiang Hong was thinking.

"So what are your thoughts?"

"I want to try the Cincinnati Masters next year. If it ends early, I will go back to China for training. If it ends late, I may not have time to return to the team in advance!" In fact, Jiang Hong did not want to be confined to training camp, where his eating, drinking and sleeping were controlled.

Before Director Sun could react, the national team leader standing nearby immediately frowned and objected.

"How can this be? Preparing for the Olympics is such an important thing, how can we not hold training camp and have to rejoin the team at the last minute!"

Director Sun simply turned his head and asked, "When is the Cincinnati Masters held?"

"July 28 to August 3!" the national team head coach replied from the side.

After a moment's thought, Director Sun nodded and said, "Okay, I can agree to that!"

She has also begun planning to launch a solo career for players within the system after the Olympics.

On the one hand, it will save some funds for training young athletes, and on the other hand, it can allow mature players to fully turn to professionalism.

"Huh?" The national team leader next to him wanted to say something, but was interrupted.

"In that case, welcome to the national team!" Director Sun smiled and extended his hand again.

The conversation ended only after the negotiations concluded and it was agreed that the procedures would be completed at the national team the following day.

After Jiang Hong walked away, the national team leader finally couldn't help but speak up.

"Director, we've never skipped training sessions before!"

Director Sun turned his head and glanced at the other person.

"There has never been a China Open men's singles champion before. If Jiang Hong returns late from the Masters tournament, it means that his strength has reached the top level, which is actually a good thing for us. Besides, there is still some time before the start of the tournament when Cincinnati ends!"

After all, Director Sun was already preparing for his solo career, so he certainly wouldn't insist on having Jiang Hong join the system, and he wouldn't discuss that matter either.

Although Jiang Hong participated in the Olympics as a member of the national team, he was actually a free agent, just like athletes abroad.

For her, the results of this Olympics are the most important thing!
(End of this chapter)