Chapter 1821 Passing on the torch from generation to generation
"At this moment, I don't want to talk about the game or me. I want to talk about Madi. This is his moment."
Roar!
The entire Arthur Ashe Stadium burst into thunderous applause, cheering for Gawain's first words.
Gawain, keep your word——
He is a supporting role, he is a green leaf, and the spotlight today should belong to Fish. A victory is a victory, but beyond victory, this game has more meaning.
"Well, I'm sorry, I'm not good at facing such occasions. I don't want to ruin the moment that belongs to Madi."
"Actually, Jim, if I choose to leave now and leave the spotlight to Madi, is this a better choice? After all, I really don't know him."
ha!
There was a burst of low laughter at the scene, including Fish -
Gawain was serious. He and Fish did not know each other. Pretending to be good friends at this moment would be hypocritical and unnecessary.
Gawain shrugged lightly.
"Hey, Andy, this was supposed to be your place, but I think Madi didn't forget about the wedding."
But now, looking at the turbulent sea of people in front of him, Fish's mind slowly calmed down.
The whole audience burst into laughter.
In 2012, he had a second chance, reaching the top 16 and will challenge Federer next.
"But I want to celebrate that defeat."
"While people firmly remember the winner, they should never forget that opposite the wonderful victory, there is an opponent who never gives up and fights to the end."
They gave applause to a "loser", not with pity or sympathy, but as a reward for another side of competitive sports, a side that is ignored, underestimated, slandered and belittled but is always indispensable.
The past three years have not been in vain.
Haha, hahaha!
Fish just sat quietly in the players' dugout, looking up at the sea of applause in front of him——
He will never have the chance to know the result of his challenge to Federer again, and he will never have the chance to reach the semi-finals of a Grand Slam.
He fought hard, he fought, and he held nothing back.
boom!
Boom boom boom!
The audience burst into thunderous applause, and the applause kept rising.
Arthur Ashe Stadium could no longer control itself, and one could even see the bustling spectators all standing up, forming a dense mass of darkness.
The mighty thunder roared throughout the whole place, and it could not be calmed down for a long time.
"You came, you witnessed, you fought to the end, you held nothing back, and finally turned around and left with your head held high. I hope to be able to look up at your back."
Perhaps, it was because of that regret that he kept insisting, fighting, and working hard, and he still wanted to give it a try.
Slowly, the whistles, cheers, and roars all disappeared, and in the end there was only applause. Only applause, but it was enough.
"It's the same today."
Fish couldn't hold it back and burst out laughing.
On the edge of the court, Roddick and Blake also stood up.
Fans who are familiar with Roddick and Fish know that the two are good friends and best friends, but when Fish got married in 2008, Roddick was absent.
"Yeah, you lost that final and you were two points away from the championship. That was a defeat."
However, the surge of emotions was ultimately difficult to control, and Roddick still couldn't hold it back. His eyes turned slightly red and he clapped his hands vigorously.
As a result, the best man became James Blake, another iconic figure in American men's tennis.
From a professional player's perspective, he had an ordinary career, with nothing memorable or commendable.
Light and clever, wise and witty.
However, the ending is still the same after all. In the end, everything is in vain.
He once imagined such a scene in his mind.
The laughter and whistles sounded at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
At that time, he told his wife that he wanted to quit racing because that was the only option to continue to survive.
There is only one champion, but every one of the thousands of people who attack and fight for the championship is amazing. Without their existence, the championship itself will be meaningless.
Today, Blake showed up, and Roddick also showed up. They were sitting in the news media seats, preparing to send flowers to Fish at the end.
Today. At this moment.
"I still remember Cincinnati in 2010. You defeated one Andy, and then another Andy to reach the finals. Facing Roger in the finals, you were so focused and dedicated, and you played wonderful shots.
One after another, even Roger gave you a round of applause."
Looking at Gawain, the corners of Fish's mouth rose.
Roddick thought he could be calm and even complain about Fish. After suffering a heart disease in 2012, Fish persisted for three more years, refusing to compromise or surrender, but in the end he stopped.
Ultimately, it's not much different from what he was back then.
"What I'm trying to say is, Madi, you had your moment, you left your talent, your ability, your talent, your personality on this field and I'm not sure if it will last forever, but
There is no doubt that tennis has been enriched by having you, and it is an honor for us."
Retirement ceremony?
He doesn't think he deserves a ceremony.
"It shouldn't be all."
Gawain's words easily won applause from the Arthur Ashe Stadium. He did not exaggerate Fish's career achievements, nor did he respond perfunctorily with pleasantries. It can be seen from here that Gawain has really thought about it seriously.
, how should we face this game today.
After the game, Fish calmed down, without sadness or reluctance. He sat quietly in the players' dugout and enjoyed the moment.
But in the end, he chose to quit the game, just on his way to the arena, because the anxiety began to consume him, becoming more and more urgent and violent.
Suddenly, he realized-
Without warning, Roddick's back was full of arrows and he was killed by surprise. He spread his hands with an innocent face to show his ignorance.
Roaring, constantly.
He thought he would be regretful, bitter, disappointed, ashamed and awkward, because he didn't think he was worthy of it all.
Because on the wedding day, Roddick was competing for the championship trophy in the Imperial City.
"Because in the world of competitive sports, there is only one champion and only one number one in the world. However, this is not everything."
"In some people's eyes, that is a defeat, but in my eyes, it is the most beautiful, precious and essential part of competitive sports."
He can only be regarded as a pretty good tennis player, not outstanding, let alone a top player. Not to mention a Masters or Grand Slam champion, he has not even been able to reach the semi-finals in Flushing, where he is best, once.
nothing.
That was an explanation to himself, and it was also a final summary of his career. Despite all the difficulties, despite the lack of highlights, and even though it was mediocre, he tried his best.
Three years?
worth.
As Gawain said, he came and he witnessed... Even though he did not conquer, it was still a magnificent career. After today is over, he can turn around and leave without regrets.
Thinking of this, the smile on the corner of his mouth rose up. He was so happy and so bright, but why did the tears in his eyes blur his vision again?
Looking at Gawain bathing in the sun, Fish felt like a madman, crying and laughing, with tears blooming proudly in his smile.