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

Chapter 65 Reasons for Not Being Able to Participate in the National Games

Meng Hao also carefully analyzed the current situation.

First of all, there's no hope for the China Open this year.

After all, this is a highly prestigious 500 tournament, and the draw only has 32 players. Even the top 50 players may not be selected, and wildcards will definitely be given priority to the top few players.

By the way, there will be several Davis Cup team tournaments during the off-season after the US Open.

Regarding wildcard entries, priority should still be given to players who represent their country.

In addition, there are rumors that the business operations of the China Open have been outsourced to Taiwanese companies in recent years, so there must be some wildcards reserved for Taiwanese players.

As a result, many fans jokingly refer to the China Open as the "Frog Net".

Of course, this is just a rumor, and no one has ever verified it.

“Okay, then let’s focus on the Shanghai Challenge in September!” Meng Hao quietly devised this plan. “For me, this is also an excellent opportunity.”

The Shanghai Masters is also the only ATP Masters tournament in the entire Asian region.

Now, he is quite well-off.

During the competition, you can also hire a part-time strength and conditioning coach, a physiotherapist, and a sparring partner.

He still has nearly two months to improve his skills.

Meng Hao was confident that he could get a wildcard to the Shanghai Masters from that "hellish dungeon," even if he had bad luck in the draw.

……

[Winner of a challenge championship! Host has completed the test!]

Upon seeing this, Meng Hao smiled with satisfaction.

Completing the task ahead of schedule is obviously the most satisfying thing.

Meng Hao also accumulated three experience cards for "Aka's 2024 Indian Wells Trip".

The goals are to defeat the top 200 players, enter the challenge finals, and win the challenge championship.

Including the free trial I had previously tried, I've unlocked it a total of four times.

So he couldn't wait to try it out.

That immersive feeling is truly indescribable.

After a long while, Meng Hao slowly opened his eyes.

+5 on the forehand, reaching 80.

A backhand +7 brought the total to 72.

The net score was +3, reaching 58.

Hard court gliding +3, reaching 53.

Spirit +2, reaching 72.

The system also specifically pointed out that Meng Hao's increased forehand and backhand techniques mainly focus on receiving serves.

There is no doubt that when Alcaraz is in good form, he possesses an unparalleled level of serve reception.

Take the final of the 2024 Indian Wells Masters as an example. Mei, who is known for his serve, was completely overwhelmed by his opponent's excellent return of serve, and his advantage in the service game was completely lost.

To unlock the fifth trial card for the "Aka 2024 Indian Wells Trip", you need to achieve a world ranking in the top 300.

This cannot be completed in the short term and must be put aside for now.

The seventh experience card for Federer's 2014 Shanghai Masters journey requires 100 aces, and there are 33 left.

Meng Hao's sixth trial card remained unused and was still saved.

Given his current overall abilities, if he only has one chance to experience it, the improvement in his strength would be almost negligible.

"By the way, my ATP points have reached 100, which unlocks a new legendary scene."

Meng Hao realized this and immediately opened the interface, looking up at it.

One legendary scene after another floated past him.

This time, we're definitely going to unlock a "Grand Slam moment".

"How should I choose?" After hesitating for a moment, Meng Hao finally made up his mind: "You're the one!"

Novak Djokovic's 2023 US Open Journey

Although he has been reborn, he cannot know what will happen in the world of tennis in 2026.

But barring any unforeseen circumstances, the 2023 US Open should be Djokovic's last Grand Slam title.

The four Grand Slam tennis tournaments in 2024 and 2025 were all won by the two unparalleled tennis stars, Aka and Sinner.

And exactly two per person per year, no more, no less.

Meng Hao simply couldn't imagine what Djokovic, who would be 39 years old by 2026, would be able to use to break the duopoly of the two stars.

In 2023, Djokovic's declining physical abilities, coupled with his unparalleled technique, awareness, and experience, led to his final moment of glory.

This is also the reason why Meng Hao chose to unlock this legendary scene.

Try it for free once!
He held the tennis ball, closed his eyes, and carefully experienced that "US Open journey".

Backhand, movement, serve, various tactical designs, and on-court adjustments.

Meng Hao was so engrossed in the experience that he didn't wake up until it ended.

"That's it? We're still not satisfied!"

Meng Hao sighed softly, then checked the attribute panel again.

Serve +2, reaching 77.

Backhand +3, reaching 75.

Tactics +3, reaching 78.

The ability to upgrade grades increased by 3%, reaching 8%.

In just one night, his overall strength experienced another qualitative leap, especially his ability to improve his skills.

Immediately afterwards, Meng Hao checked the task for unlocking the second trial card.

Defeat a Serbian player in a Challenger or higher-level match!

"..." Meng Hao was speechless. This mission was really special.

What about the female players who "defeated" Serbia, like Ana Ivanovic?

……

Early the next morning, Meng Hao left the hotel carrying large and small bags.

Surprisingly, several leaders from the Guangdong Provincial Sports Bureau came to see him off, which was very touching.

Of course, they brought up the old issue again, hoping that Meng Hao could consider representing Guangdong Province in the competition.

The conditions have indeed improved significantly compared to before.

For the next three years, he will receive one main draw wildcard for the Shenzhen Tour each year, as well as a training subsidy of 60 yuan per year.

The requirement is that the world ranking must be within the top 500 and the domestic ranking within the top three; otherwise, the subsidy will be reduced, but wildcards will still be guaranteed.

In just over a week, the attitude of the Guangdong Provincial Sports Bureau underwent a dramatic change.

Because Meng Hao won the challenge.

In the eyes of those sports bureau leaders, the Challenger Tournament champion and the Hope Tournament champion are two completely different concepts.

"Distinguished leaders, I know you are very sincere and the conditions are excellent, and I am very tempted," Meng Hao said calmly. "However, I have a reason to decline. I really can't participate in the National Games!"

The leader, a slender man with glasses who appeared very capable, asked, "Xiao Meng, if you have any difficulties, you can tell us, and we will try our best to accommodate you."

"Yes, yes, which athlete doesn't want to compete in the National Games? If they can win gold or silver at the National Games, they can live a life of comfort and security!" The other officials echoed.

“My reason is…” Meng Hao pondered for a moment, then said seriously, “The next National Games is three years from now.”

"Yes, the next National Games is in 2017," several people nodded in agreement.

"The timing of the National Games conflicts with the year-end finals. You should understand what I mean, right? That's why I can't compete in the National Games!" Meng Hao replied.

……

(End of this chapter)