——On the training ground.
Tap tap tap.
Gawain was running wildly, sprinting from the left end of the baseline to the right end of the court, staring brightly at the tennis ball that landed in the blind spot of the right baseline.
Kneeling on the ground, sliding, cutting forehand, scooping up a pocket, cutting a backspin ball, and completing the save before the tennis ball hit the ground, but the steps still did not stop, a sudden stop and turn, and then the body seemed to leave. Like an arrow, he continued to sprint toward the left end of the baseline of the court.
Across the net, Dimitrov has reached the net.
In the previous shot, with a graceful one-handed backhand, Dimitrov hit a straight line like a six-vein sword, instantly reversing the disadvantage; immediately after, Dimitrov had firmly grasped the opportunity and hit the ball at full speed. Rush forward, enter the bottom line, quickly access the Internet, and firmly grasp the advantage in front of the network port.
However, Dimitrov did not expect that Gawain actually made a backspin; and it was still in a straight line. He gave up his forehand gap and once again aimed at the straight backhand position, catching Dimitrov off guard, and his foot reflexes were poor. Slightly slower, but in front of the net, it is fatal.
The hitting point is a little bit late.
However, in his passive state, Dimitrov still tried to use his backhand to block a big diagonal shot from the deep area of the baseline, continuing to squeeze Gawain's swing space. Even if Gawain's feet arrived smoothly, he could not Gain enough space to stretch, use defense as offense, and put pressure on Gao Wen again.
...Unfortunately, Dimitrov pursued perfection and the ultimate. His backhand release time was a little late, and his landing point was strict. As a result, the arc of the push was not completely suppressed, and he crossed half the court. When Gawain reaches the backhand position, the bottom line is slightly longer.
"Out!"
In the practice match, there was no linesman, but the fans at the scene couldn't wait to shout out, and then a burst of cheers and whistles could be heard.
Here, Pulan noticed that Gawain did not give up the ball——
If it is a formal game, there is no need to continue hitting the ball after scoring, but in training games, their purpose is not to win, but to continue training and polishing. Therefore, even if Dimitrov's return ball has gone out of bounds, Gao Wen still doesn't think this round is over.
Tap tap tap.
Tap tap tap!
From left to right, and from right to left again, running back and forth from the bottom line at extremely fast speed. At this time, you can notice that Gao Wen's steps on clay are much smoother.
However, if you ask Gawain, he will say that the connection and transition are still not enough. Compared with the hard ground, you can feel the obvious gap.
Basic skills cannot be quickly established in a month or two.
Now he just relies on his own prediction and control to complete the adjustment; but it is far from forming an instinct. Once it enters the truly critical moment, shortcomings and flaws will be exposed. Basic skills must continue to be practiced. There are no shortcuts. The accumulation of practice and Competition is the only way.
Step, step!
Gao Wen used his left leg to slide a short distance to make a braking action.
This is an advanced movement to control movement on clay courts. It is a technique based on sliding steps and is equivalent to emergency braking on hard courts. However, on clay courts, "hard" braking is not possible and it is easy to get injured. The hitting point It is also not easy to control, and requires "soft" braking after buffering.
At this time, you can see that after the soft braking, Gawain came to the batting position——
The foot control is still lacking a little, so that the hitting point is a little far away from the body, but Gao Wen's two-handed backhand is already hitting quickly.
Kick off the ground, swing the racket, and take action.
Although the footsteps have braked, the body continues to move forward according to the inertia. Not only can it close the distance and find the hitting point, but also use the inertia to complete the push of the swing. The body completes a clockwise rotation, and the whole person rotates and swings. It looks clean and neat, all controlled by the wrist.
straight line.
Break the net.
time travel.
Falling.
Along this side of the court, directly trace the trajectory of the sideline, and finally
Finally, it landed accurately on the dead center of the bottom line.
The knife fell from the hand.
"ah!"
"Ahhhh!"
Around the training ground, fans cheered and screamed, it was so lively.
In other words, even if Dimitrov's backhand push did not go out of bounds, Gawain could easily complete the fatal blow with the long sword unsheathed.
Ability, this is Gawain's ability.
Focus, devote, immerse, burn——
Even in training matches, Gao Wen remained 100% focused, meticulous and attentive, with high fighting spirit burning throughout his body.
Pulan didn't hold back and started cheering along with the crowd.
TV broadcasts and live viewing are indeed two completely different experiences, not only the speed and power of tennis, the intensity and tension of confrontation; but also the cheers of fans, the heat of the sun, and the humidity of the air.
Those noisy, scalding, scorching, the burning feeling that can be clearly felt in every pore, the blood boils uncontrollably, and even the heat of adrenaline can be felt in breathing.
Gawain, very close at hand.
Without the need for words, Pulan could feel the flames of determination and will burning in those eyes——
The desire to win, the concentration on the game, the excitement for the challenge, all are condensed in the eyes and expressions, and they are full of ambition.
As Gao Wen said at the post-match press conference:
It is true that clay court is not the surface that Gao Wen is best at; indeed, this is the first clay court season of Gao Wen's career; indeed, from any point of view, Gao Wen's clay court season can be called a success. Roland Garros defeated Nadal to advance to the semi-finals. Just relying on such results, Gao Wen was able to turn around and leave with his head held high, without worrying about any complaints and attacks from sunspots.
However, Gawain still longs for——
Eager to fight, eager to challenge, and eager to win.
Now that we have already advanced to the semi-finals, why not go one step further?
He is not satisfied, he does not stop, he can still feel the hunger, the hunger for more victories, more breakthroughs, and more challenges.
Facing the upcoming semi-finals, Gao Wen was focused and devoted, and the sparks of battle were shining in the depths of his pupils.
This is Gawain.
Quietly, Pulan just looked at Gawain who was engrossed in him. They didn't even make eye contact, but she fell further.
Unprecedentedly, the force and sound of the heart hitting the chest were so clear, which made Pulan deeply feel that the fresh vitality was blowing out.
"Bah! Gawain!"
"Bah! Gawain!"
The crowd around them clapped and cheered, and Pulan couldn't help but join everyone in playing human waves in the practice match, with a full smile.
Then, Gawain turned around and saw Pulan standing in the corner surrounded by the crowd.
Eye contact.
Gawain was stunned for a moment. He couldn't believe his eyes and was still a little confused. He didn't understand Pulan's appearance, and he didn't understand why Pulan was among the fans, separated by a barbed wire fence. The whole meeting was filled with a sense of absurdity. Feeling happy, the first reaction is to suspect that I have seen it wrong.
So, what's going on?
(End of chapter)
