Now that I've been reborn, I have to play tennis!

Chapter 46 Award Ceremony Highlights
At this moment, many people had left the stands, leaving them largely empty.

It was already past 1 p.m., and the uncles and aunties who had received the free tickets had long since given up and left to go home for their afternoon nap.

The awards ceremony was rather simple, and the champion trophy was quite unremarkable.

After all, this is only a 25K champion.

Holding the championship trophy, Meng Hao was momentarily dazed, even feeling that it was no different from the youth championships he had won before.

Okay, there's a bonus, then it's fine!

As a routine task, Meng Hao signed autographs for several children holding large tennis balls, which was the first time in his life he had ever signed autographs for someone.

These enormous tennis balls are specifically designed for signing as souvenirs.

"Kids, I think you have a special connection with tennis!"

"Go for it! The future of Chinese tennis rests on your shoulders!"

We still have to feed them this chicken soup!
Then, with a smile on his face, he posed for photos with several portly leaders and went through all the procedures.

One particularly enthusiastic leader even asked Meng Hao if he wanted to represent their Yunnan team at the National Games, saying the conditions were negotiable!

How could Meng Hao possibly agree? He could only politely decline!
It's unclear if this guy had been drinking, but his face was flushed. When Meng Hao refused, he started rambling incoherently: "The girls around here can sing and dance, you know!"

This startled the staff member next to him, who quickly said, "Director Lin, please stop talking, please stop!"

Next up was Meng Hao's acceptance speech.

"Thank you to the Yunnan Provincial Sports Bureau, the Kunming Municipal Government, the organizing committee of the event, and also thank you to CCTV!"

We really have to thank CCTV. This isn't a joke; they actually sent a reporter to cover the event.

"I'm very happy with my first professional title, which is a clay court title!"

"CCTV calls me the Little Prince of Clay, and I like that nickname!"

"I hope I can compete here again next year!" This statement is, of course, flattery.

If I come again next year, won't I be standing still?

However, apart from Meng Hao, everyone else present took it seriously.

"Don't worry, you're the defending champion! Even if your ranking isn't high enough next year, we'll definitely give you a wildcard!"

"It's a promise, you have to come next year!"

I'm so touched. The organizing committee in Kunming was even worried that Meng Hao wouldn't be able to break into the top 500 in the world rankings by next year.

After the awards ceremony, which resembled a makeshift affair, Meng Hao was pulled aside for an interview by enthusiastic CCTV reporters.

"Now that you've won the championship, can you share your feelings? You know, this is the first clay court tournament title won by a male tennis player from our country."

Meng Hao looked thoughtful, and after thinking for a moment, he said, "You know, I'm still a high school student, and I'll be a senior in the fall."

"and then?"

"Can this champion get a guaranteed admission to Zhejiang University or Fudan University? Shanghai Jiao Tong University would also be fine!"

Meng Hao said slowly, his eyes full of anticipation: "After all, I once said in front of the whole class that I hoped to get into one of these top universities."

CCTV reporter Chen Yu was taken aback; in fact, he hadn't researched this either.

It's going to be a bit difficult; this championship is at a lower level.

Chen Yu muttered to himself, but said aloud, "I'm not too sure either. I'll have to look into it when I get back. If it's a junior tournament of the four Grand Slams... the French Open and Wimbledon, you definitely won't make it in time."

"If you can win the US Open junior tournament or reach the final, you'll probably have no problem getting into those top universities."

"Youth tournaments?" Meng Hao raised an eyebrow, then shook his head. "No, those tournaments only give points, not money! They're meaningless!" To play in the US Open's youth tournaments, he would have to participate in various youth tournaments all over the world and rack up points like Mei did.

After all, he only has 60 points in his junior rankings, which is far from qualifying for the US Open junior tournament.

But how much would that cost?
His own funds simply couldn't afford it, and without a bonus, it held no appeal for him whatsoever.

Meng Hao wasn't an ignorant teenager; seeing the CCTV reporter's hesitant expression, he immediately understood.

With this result, there's still no chance!
Then we can only keep trying!

He also knew that the interview segment would definitely be cut.

To be featured on CCTV News, even in the sports category, the content must be positive, uplifting, and inspiring.

Meng Hao composed himself, organized his thoughts, and smiled, saying, "First of all, I'm a very honest person. The biggest reward from this championship is the $2600 prize money and 25 ATP points!"

The implication is that there's nothing else of value besides these.

"Secondly, I found that our country's players, especially the male players, are not very good at playing on clay."

"What I want to say is, clay court is great, we absolutely have to play on clay courts!"

"Because the ball speed is slow on clay courts, there will be more rallies and more running, which can improve baseline skills, improve physical fitness, and hone your will."

Immediately, Meng Hao's expression turned serious and solemn: "I like the quote engraved on the Roland Garros court at the French Open: Victory belongs to the most tenacious!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Yu was also somewhat dazed.

This young man spoke so well, it was as if he were reading from a script.

But he knew that the other party hadn't read from a prepared script!

He's a very knowledgeable journalist.

For example, when his classmates interviewed some leading cadres, they read from a script. Staff members would stand next to the cameraman, holding up the script, and the characters had to be written in large and neat handwriting.

Chen Yu turned to look at the cameraman and asked, "Old Liang, did you record everything?"

Old Liang replied, "Yes, it's all been recorded."

"I'll edit it, then send it to the main station. Hopefully it will be broadcast!" Chen Yu thought to himself.

He was only responsible for on-site reporting; whether or not it was broadcast, and how much was broadcast, was entirely up to CCTV.

"I hope this segment will be broadcast and won't be cut!" This was Meng Hao's true thought.

He waved goodbye to everyone and returned to the lounge for some physical therapy.

After such an intense match, physical recovery is essential.

Most professional players who can't play on the tour can't afford to hire a private physiotherapist and have to rely on those arranged by the tournament organizers.

Meng Hao is no exception now; he can only rely on the physiotherapists arranged by the event organizing committee for free.

On the way, he casually sent a message to the class's QQ group: "I have lived up to expectations and won the championship."

It's about 1:30 pm now, and it's Sunday, so most of you are probably still taking a nap.

"Actually, I'm actually a little envious of you guys!"

While everyone else is taking a lunch break, you're engaged in a fierce tennis match—that's probably the life of most professional tennis players.

……

(End of this chapter)