"Gaowen, when the schedule was released, your game was arranged on Court No. 2, which triggered a lot of discussion. People generally believed that this was an unexpected decision and is subject to discussion. What do you think of this?"
"In addition, when you came to Wimbledon for the first time, you were first downgraded in the seeding rankings, and then you were assigned to Court No. 2. Do you feel that you were targeted and received differential treatment from the All England Club?"
It’s coming, it’s finally coming——
After Roland Garros, the media, who were afraid of the world being in chaos, fanned the flames again, ostensibly defending Gawain, but actually watching the show from the sidelines.
At the door of the press conference room, Sampras shook his head dejectedly, "Why don't these media not learn a lesson? After hitting the wall continuously, they actually make the same mistakes again. Don't they know enough about Gawain?"
Tobias glanced at his old friend and chuckled, "You are the same."
Just in the locker room, Gao Wen had already predicted that reporters would not miss this topic, but Sampras did not believe it. He thought that the media should have learned their lesson and would not fall into the trap themselves, so they made a bet——
One pound.
Tobias looked at Sampras who had been fooled and suffered losses again and again but never learned the lesson. He laughed heartlessly and was very happy.
As for Gawain?
Tobias wasn't worried at all.
In fact, Gawain did not need to worry, his face was calm and relaxed.
"Oh, am I now at the level of causing controversy over venue arrangements? So, I guess this should be considered a special treatment, right?"
"Thanks!"
Looking at Gao Wen with a smile on his face, the reporter felt heartbroken, especially the last sentence of "thank you". His chest felt so tight, why did he feel the urge to vomit blood?
"This is my first time coming to Wimbledon, and it's also my first grass-court season. To be honest, I'm a little nervous. I have to focus on myself."
"The first round of a Grand Slam tournament is never easy."
"So, Court No. 2 is very good. Maybe, I should be glad that I was assigned to Court No. 2, otherwise if I had played in front of more spectators in a bigger stadium, the result of this game might have been different."
reporter:……
The reporter couldn't help but remind him, "Court No. 2 is a 'seed graveyard'!"
Gawain raised his chin slightly, "Yes, I know, so I am not the second seed, but the fifth seed. I think this is the God of Death's bargaining chip."
——Demoting three seeds as a sacrifice in exchange for victory in the first round. Is this what Gao Wen meant by his serious nonsense just now?
So cold.
But it makes people laugh inexplicably, what is going on?
"I must say, Wimbledon is a very special event indeed."
"Those rules, those rituals, those etiquettes, everything are rare in modern competitive sports, not just tennis."
"As all events become more modernized and commercialized, some of the original unique charm of the sport is being lost."
"But here, the long lines at the door, the dress code for players and even spectators, it's all very special. Of course, I also think these rules are troublesome, but our lives are convenient enough to enjoy some trouble occasionally.
, there’s nothing wrong with it.”
"So, I don't mind the seeding, and I don't mind the venue arrangement. If Wimbledon asks me to play on Court 17, I will not refuse; similarly, if it is arranged to be played on Center Court, I will not refuse."
After speaking, Gawain raised his eyebrows slightly and made an exaggerated grimace.
In an instant, low laughter filled the press conference room, and the tense atmosphere quietly collapsed before it could be ignited.
On the other side, Yu Jia endured it again and again, but this time she couldn't hold it back and joined her colleagues, with a smile surging deep in her throat.
Yu Jia noticed that there was a very brief gap in the press conference. Those sharp attacks and malicious traps did not work. The reporters were embarrassed in front of Gao Wen again. This made the atmosphere at the scene a bit weird. For a moment
No one asked any questions.
Chance!
Yu Jia immediately raised his hand and got the chance before the smile on his lips calmed down. He quickly stood up and asked the questions he had prepared.
"Today is the hottest temperature at Wimbledon in five years. Does playing in such a competition environment have any impact? How do you feel about your debut at Wimbledon overall?"
"After five hard-fought sets in the first round, what are your expectations for the next round? Have your goals changed at Wimbledon this year?"
It's well-behaved, friendly and courteous. You can feel the warm atmosphere as soon as you hear it, which is in sharp contrast to the tone of the previous reporter.
Gawain looked over and recognized Yu Jia immediately. He laughed lightly and nodded slightly, as if he was thanking him for such a friendly question.
"In my very limited participation experience, it is rare to see such a huge and enthusiastic audience on the first and second days of other events. To be honest, when I set foot at the All England Club, I doubted that I had arrived.
The carnival scene, the atmosphere here is really very different.”
"It's an honor to be able to play in a stadium full of people. Even though they didn't come for me, I'm just as happy."
Maybe some people think that Gawain is trying to please the All England Club, but in fact, he is not——
All are true.
Regardless of the Grand Slam or the Masters, in fact, the peak of the audience traffic should usually be during the top 16 and quarter-finals. The number of games is moderate, each game is a strong collision, and familiar top superstars gather one after another. Various factors
Together, they create a peak number of spectators.
Relatively speaking, although the first and second rounds have the most games, and all the schedules in all stadiums and all periods are full, the audience's attention is often focused on a few focus matches, even the games of top players.
It lacks the suspense of victory and defeat and loses the attraction of watching the game.
It is precisely because of this that Wimbledon often prioritizes the most exciting and suspenseful games into the Center Court and No. 1 Court.
Today at Wimbledon, as far as Gao Wen's personal experience is concerned, the audience flow is indeed the highest among the first round matches of the four Grand Slams. The attendance rate on the second court is almost over 90%. For the first round match that starts at 1 p.m.
, very, very rare, the atmosphere of the whole game is indeed different.
Before, when I was in Eastbourne and London, I often heard other people discussing that the atmosphere of Wimbledon was different. Now Gao Wen finally understood what was going on, from the etiquette to the atmosphere to the audience.
Enthusiasm, you can experience new feelings in all aspects.
As for the temperature——
"After the game, Pete did mention it. Such high temperatures are not common at Wimbledon. He almost never experienced it in his memory."
After the Gowan match ended, the temperature in Wimbledon continued to rise, and once reached 43 degrees, creating the highest temperature in Wimbledon in seventeen years, triggering an outcry. From all aspects, this year's Wimbledon was
The climb was truly extraordinary and full of turmoil.