Although Wimbledon has not yet kicked off, Gawain already likes Wimbledon——
There is a sense of ritual.
From clothing preparation to court etiquette, from event preparation to competition process, the procedures hidden in the details can deeply feel the weight of history, and every move is full of depth.
Although rules and frameworks restrict hands and feet, which is annoying in many cases, at the same time, it also conveys a sense of ritual, which reminds Gao Wen of his childhood. Going to the tennis court is a ritual. An entertainment, a ritual, and a desirable existence.
Just like on the first day of school in the first grade of elementary school, I neatly prepared my books, pencil cases, homework books, school bags and school uniforms, checking, sorting and confirming those rituals and rules over and over again. The sacred feeling brought by it is full of happiness and yearning.
Later, as I grew up, the sense of mystery gradually disappeared, the sense of sacredness no longer existed, and the sense of ritual became a shackles.
However, occasionally recalling the anticipation and excitement on the eve of the first day of school, so excited that I couldn't sleep, these are memories that can never be replicated.
Now, the same goes for Wimbledon.
Maybe, after attending Wimbledon for the second or third time, Gawain will start to get tired of the framework of these rituals, but that will be a thing for the future. At least for now, attending Wimbledon for the first time, he can't help but relive his childhood learning tennis. Happiness and eager anticipation swelled in my chest.
This sense of pure anticipation was something I didn’t even feel when I participated in the US Open for the first time last year.
Today is Friday. There are still three full days to count down to the official start of Wimbledon. The official Wimbledon tournament will conduct division draws.
Although the Australian Open draw ceremony was broadcast live on global television and the Internet, in terms of tradition and ceremony, they still cannot compare to Wimbledon.
Even if it is just a drawing ceremony, Wimbledon is held as a formal dinner, and all persons going to the drawing site must wear formal attire——
In the past, the requirements were more stringent. Men's suits and women's evening gowns were standard, and you were not allowed to enter without a tie. Now they are much more relaxed, and T-shirts or jeans are allowed to enter, but the jacket must have a collar, and shorts or slippers are not allowed. If it's too exaggerated, you can get in.
In addition, the draw ceremony itself also has a formal process, which not only shows respect for the defending champion who is responsible for the draw, but also sounds the clarion call for a new year of competition. Everything shows a sense of ceremony.
The prelude to a feast slowly unfolded before your eyes.
It is precisely because of this that although Gawain is not going to the lottery ceremony today, he still feels ready to go when he goes to the practice field.
Through the door panel, you can feel the hot air outside——
Click, click, click, click, click, click... click... click... click...
From weak to strong, and then from strong to weak.
As soon as you hear it, you can tell that the paparazzi are always ready. No matter who goes out, they will press the shutter as a conditioned reflex. After realizing that they are not the target person, the shutter sound will gradually weaken, but they will continue to press a few more times professionally. You can feel the change in the atmosphere by the sound that is fast and slow.
And then.
Click...click click...click click click click click...
——Buzz buzz.
The door of the villa opened again, and the person who appeared behind Peart was Gawain.
The shutter sound hesitated for a moment, and then burst out with astonishing energy. The mighty silver light curtain poured down like a waterfall. In an instant, the whole world escaped into a bright halo, even the lines of buildings and trees. It has also disappeared, all hidden in the halo.
Time stops briefly; space freezes briefly.
Thousands of eyes were all directed towards Gawain. The sound of the shutter and the flash intertwined, playing a symphony, and the whole world escaped into a roar.
Agassi and Peart were passing by in a hurry. The paparazzi and reporters in front of them took it for granted that Gawain should be the same, so they rushed forward one by one, and the bustling questions were all intertwined, making it impossible to listen. Clearly, there was just a buzzing sound.
As a result, it was not the case.
Gawain stopped, looked at everyone with a smile, accepted the photo opportunity calmly, and showed extra patience.
reporter:? ? ?
Slowly, everyone at the scene came to their senses. After realizing that Gawain was not ready to leave, there seemed to be no need to continue pressing the shutter.
So, what's going on now?
The picture in my imagination should be that Gawain was running away with his head covered, and the reporters were chasing after him. The game of chasing each other would also go around Wimbledon for a while, and finally he was interrupted and intercepted by the vicious security guards at the entrance of the training ground. Gawain hid in the training ground in embarrassment to enjoy a moment of peace.
Then, the paparazzi and reporters continued to wait at the entrance of the training ground, waiting for the next wave of chasing games.
but now?
Even the experienced British paparazzi had a brief moment of panic: This reaction is wrong.
The next second, you can see Gawain showing a smile and raising his right hand——
He.
The reporters standing at the forefront took a small step back. Unfortunately, they were unable to retreat due to the crowds. However, they could still see the wind blowing back like waves of wheat. There were also some stampedes in the bustling crowd and could be heard. Someone shouted "my shoes", and the panic sound was actually a bit funny.
Such a strong reaction also startled Gawain, and he was slightly stunned. Then the smile on the corner of his mouth rose greatly and became brighter.
"Good morning."
Gawain said.
It turned out to be a greeting. When the reporters realized Gawain's true purpose, one or two of them blushed, and the situation just now became more and more embarrassing.
But why?
Why did Gawain stop to greet the reporters? Are you planning to hold a press conference at the entrance of the villa? What kind of medicine is sold in the gourd?
After a brief moment of looking at each other, a reporter finally couldn't bear it anymore and raised his voice and asked, "Gao Wen, is there really nothing between you and Jennifer Lawrence?"
Opportunities are opportunities, and reporters don't care about Gawain's plans. Now that Gawain has stopped, they will never miss it.
"No." He said crisply and uprightly.
"Do you think your early exit from the Queen's Club Cup had something to do with the scandal?"
"No."
"Do you think Jennifer going to the games had an impact on you?"
"No."
"Are you sure you haven't?"
"Sure."
"Really?"
"real."
Although the questions came one after another, and they were constantly testing Gawain's bottom line, the smile at the corner of Gawain's mouth always rose slightly, and his answers like a spring breeze easily defused all the attacks. The back and forth of questions and answers was particularly special. harmonious.
There seems to be something wrong with this picture, right?
But for a moment, the reporters couldn't think clearly. One or two of them were eager to seize the opportunity, and all attacks rushed towards Gawain.
This opportunity should not be missed, it will never come back. This should be the only thought in the reporters' minds.
(End of chapter)
