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

Chapter 93 Nike, Adidas, or Anta? (10 chapters complete)
Meng Hao felt a little tired, but that feeling was quickly replaced by excitement.

The cheers from the fans all around him were loud, and he felt they were sometimes very close and sometimes very far away.

At this moment, he was the focus of the entire audience, and countless people were calling his name.

Just a month ago, Kei Nishikori was the newly crowned US Open runner-up, becoming the subject of rave reviews and praise from major Chinese media outlets, who also took the opportunity to criticize Chinese men's tennis.

"When will our country be able to produce a male tennis player like Kei Nishikori?"

Some public intellectuals and media figures also took the opportunity to launch the classic "fixed-body question," prompting everyone to reflect on it.

Some people even wrote articles analyzing, with great seriousness, why Kei Nishikori was able to reach the US Open final.

But he was only a runner-up, while Cilic, who won the championship, was ignored.

The runner-up completely overshadowed the champion; it was an absolute reversal of fortune.

It's only been a month, and the boomerang has already arrived.

"Congratulations!" Kei Nishikori said simply as he shook hands with Meng Hao before turning away.

He was naturally in a bad mood, but for a professional tennis player, this was just one stop on the many tours.

The even more important year-end finals are still waiting for him.

Meng Hao took a deep breath. He had just put the racket back in its bag when the enthusiastic host pulled him aside.

"Kei Nishikori suffered his first defeat since the US Open! This achievement was accomplished by our country's Meng Hao!"

The host excitedly asked, "You've defeated the US Open runner-up and the world's seventh-ranked player. How do you feel right now? Aren't you very excited?"

Meng Hao smiled and replied, "Actually, it doesn't matter who I beat. What matters is that I made it to the quarterfinals of the Masters. I'm very happy to have reached such a deep round in Shanghai, at the Qizhong Tennis Center."

Reached the quarterfinals of the ATP 1000 tournament, and defeated two top 10 players in a row!

According to the original timeline, no one can break it even ten years later.

Meng Hao is now truly the number one male tennis player in China.

Of course, his goals didn't stop there.

"Very good! Reaching the quarterfinals of an ATP 1000 tournament is indeed a remarkable achievement for Chinese men's tennis. But is there anything else you'd like to say to the audience at the stadium and those watching on television?"

Meng Hao wiped the sweat dripping from his forehead with his arm, calmed himself down, and slowly said, "Actually, I know that since Na Jie retired, the popularity of tennis will decline. Everyone has this concern!"

"However, I know that as long as we achieve good results, we can still retain many fans."

"All I can do is try my best to keep tennis, this beautiful yet lonely sport, in the country!"

I hope everyone will continue to support me!

Is this a declaration of victory?
Indeed, given the current slump in Chinese tennis, Meng Hao's achievement is barely worthy of such recognition.

Of course, this statement may also cause some controversy.

Even if Li Na retires, what makes you think you can represent Chinese tennis? Just because you reached the quarterfinals of a Masters tournament?
But if he can improve his grades further, it will be even more convincing.

……

"Meng Hao doesn't have a jersey or shoe sponsor yet, what are you waiting for?"

"Nike, Adidas, and all the major domestic brands, aren't you going to make a move?"

Meng Hao himself wasn't worried, but the fans online were starting to get anxious for him.

"Hurry up and invest! This is definitely a rising superstar!"

"It seems like his only sponsor right now is a tennis racket!"

"The main reason is that there have been too many examples of male tennis players failing to live up to their potential, so sponsors are unwilling to take the risk."

"Who can predict injuries and illnesses?"

The online public opinion naturally caught the attention of these giant companies.

Dong Wei, CEO of Nike China and also Nike's global vice president, was listening to his subordinate He Feng report on his work.

He Feng suggested that Nike should make an exception for Meng Hao.

"President Dong, Meng Hao's current ranking has just entered the top 150, but if he wins just one more game, he will enter the top 100!"

"Reaching the quarterfinals of a Masters tournament, or even the semifinals, is barely acceptable. Can you call it dazzling? There are so many tennis tournaments throughout the year, and everyone has their moments of high energy!" Dong Wei said eloquently, displaying the demeanor of a capable and strong woman.

"In professional tennis, there are too many players whose careers are short-lived."

"We can't invest too much money before we achieve truly outstanding results." In fact, Nike has always maintained a high level of aloofness. They can invest money and sponsor competition equipment, but they have always been aiming for big returns with small investments.

Now, Liu Xiang and Li Na have both retired.

Currently, Yi Jianlian has the highest endorsement fee in the Chinese market, making him Nike's top brand.

But basketball is, after all, a sport that is popular throughout China.

Moreover, they don't see anyone who can replace Yi Jianlian in the short term.

Yi Jianlian's endorsement fee is no more than 500 million yuan a year.

And what about Liu Xiang and Li Na?
Before Liu Xiang won the gold medal in Athens, his annual sponsorship fee was only 50 yuan, but after winning the gold medal, it rose to 1500 million yuan. The same is true for Li Na. After winning the French Open, her endorsement fee rose to 2000 million yuan, while before that it was only 100 million yuan.

Dong Wei's principle is simple: he won't invest too much money in you until you win the heavyweight championship.

Do you think you're LeBron James? You haven't even played a single NBA game, and Nike has already signed you to a contract worth nearly $100 million.

"Also..." Dong Wei remembered something that made her unhappy, "I heard from my subordinates that Meng Hao wore Asics, Yonex, and Anta shoes during the game, but not Nike, right?"

"Is this because they think our Nike tennis shoes aren't good enough?"

Upon hearing this, He Feng smiled wryly and said, "There's no Adidas either!"

He plays tennis in his spare time, but he does find Nike shoes too tight and somewhat uncomfortable.

Of course, these kinds of things can't be said publicly.

It's just a hobby, so it doesn't matter if the clothes aren't comfortable.

"Alright, you go and give it a try!" the chairman said. "We still have to make the promises we need to make. I believe no athlete will refuse Nike."

"Alright, Mr. Dong!" He Feng accepted the order and left.

At this moment, the same thing is happening in the office buildings of Adidas and Anta.

These sportswear giants are also discussing whether to sign Meng Hao, the rising star of the tennis world.

Executives from both companies agree that Nike has an enormous influence on athletes.

Under the same conditions, athletes would unanimously only consider Nike.

Nike is a spiritual home for many athletes, not only in China, but also in other parts of the world.

"If you want to snatch customers from Nike, you have to spend money!" This is what executives at Adidas and Anta think.

Actually, Adidas is a bit wronged. There was a time when they were on par with Nike, but now the gap between the two is getting bigger and bigger.

By 2014, many Chinese athletes no longer held any romantic feelings towards Adidas.

In China, while Nike remains the top priority for many athletes, Adidas's priority is not necessarily much higher than that of domestic brands like Anta and Li-Ning.

……

On October 9th, Meng Hao was doing some physical recovery training in the hotel gym, with strength and conditioning coach Garcia and physiotherapist Anna assisting him.

At this time, a leader in charge of sports business from Jiushi Group approached him, saying that representatives from Nike, Adidas, and Anta wanted to discuss endorsement matters with him.

Meng Hao's original intention was to discuss the matter after this competition, but the leader suggested that since it was a sports brand, they should make contact first and discuss their terms.

If you really want to sign a contract, it's not something that can be done overnight.

Meng Hao thought about it and nodded in agreement.

Immediately afterwards, he spoke with representatives from all three companies in the hotel's conference room.

In fact, Meng Hao doesn't have any "Nike complex" or "Adidas complex." He just follows one principle: choose what suits him best.

During the negotiations, Meng Hao suddenly raised a condition: "Will you provide custom-made sneakers?"

Nike, Adidas, and Anta all have different attitudes.

Nike means it's not possible right now, Adidas means it's open to discussion, and Anta means they're willing to cooperate more deeply.

……

P.S.: I updated a total of 23,000 words today, and that's it! Thank you all so much for your support!

　Thank you to readers Chen Lingyi, TianhuiSGrey, Zhihui Yongheng, Zhujin Shiguangli de Chenai, and Nanxi Weisheng for their generous donations!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)