On the first day of 2004, the Chinese table tennis team began training, because at the end of January, they were about to rush to Athens to participate in the ITTF Greek Open, which was also for this year's Olympic Games, so the national table tennis attaches great importance to it.

However, before training, Ye Hao was called aside, waiting for him in addition to the head coach Xiao Zhan and the head coach of the men's team Liu Guoliang. Looking at the two people who came together, Ye Hao was very puzzled.

Liu Guoliang was the first to speak: "I discussed with Director Xiao and decided to let you match a doubles to increase your experience in this area." ”

Ye Hao was a little surprised when he heard it, but after thinking about it, he understood. Since he entered the national team, he has indeed focused too much on singles, and he really hasn't had much to do with doubles, so naturally he has no experience to talk about. As a core member of the Chinese men's table tennis team, Ye Hao will inevitably encounter a doubles situation in the future. However, Liu Guoliang's words surprised Ye Hao.

"There are now three main combinations in the men's doubles team, Ma Lin and Chen Qi, Wang Hao and Kong Linghui, and Wang Liqin and Yan Sen. Now that Yan Sen has an injury to his right hand, if you are asked to pair up with Wang Liqin, do you have any ideas? ”

In fact, the strength of Wang Liqin and Yan Sen's Sydney Olympic men's doubles champions should be ironclad to be selected for the Athens Olympics, but because Yan Sen unfortunately suffered a car accident last year, which caused his right hand to be injured, his doubles strength with Wang Liqin has been weakened to a certain extent, so now the coaching staff is also very difficult. Because there are only two places in the men's doubles at the Olympics, there are now three combinations competing.

"Let me pair up with Wang Liqin, isn't that a disguised way for him and Yan Sen to give up the men's doubles qualification competition for the Athens Olympics?" A thought flashed through Ye Hao's mind, he looked at Xiao Zhan, and then set his eyes on Liu Guoliang.

"It seems that you also understand that you are not paired with Wang Liqin for this year's Olympics, but firstly, I hope that you will learn doubles skills with him, and secondly, to prepare for the future." When Liu Guoliang saw Ye Hao's eyes, he knew that he understood his intentions, so he no longer hid them.

After thinking for a while, Ye Hao decided to reject Liu Guoliang's suggestion. As for the reason, there are two, one is that this is an offending thing, breaking up a group that has been paired for eight years, and the other two have persevered for the Athens Olympics for four years, especially Yan Sen is persevering after being injured, isn't it the Olympics? The second is to let Ye Hao and Wang Liqin form doubles now, isn't it just to serve as a foil for the other two teams? "I'm the protagonist's life, how can I be a green leaf?"

So after Ye Hao thought about it, he slowly spoke: "Director Liu, haven't you talked to Brother Liqin yet?" ”

"Yes, I want to know what you think first." Liu Guoliang replied frankly.

"I think now let me team up with Brother Liqin, first of all, neither of them will agree, even if they agree, they will have a pimple in their hearts, and the effect of our cooperation will not be good. Second, if I had to choose myself, I would like to bring a young man, after all, I am also an old man in our team. ”

Liu Guoliang found that something was wrong when he listened to it, if the first reason is still very reasonable, then the second reason is completely unreliable.

"You kid entered the national team, and it will only take two years to play full, how can you be considered an old man!" Liu Guoliang said angrily.

Xiao Zhan, who had been silent before, spoke, "Actually, Guoliang and I have long guessed that you will not want to do this." But doubles still have to be matched, tell me what you really think, don't be sloppy. ”

"Director Xiao is right, you say it first, we will make the final decision according to the actual situation." Liu Guoliang also agreed.

After thinking about it, Ye Hao said his suggestion: "Ma Long, we can match a double." ”

"Marlone?" Liu Guoliang asked suspiciously.

Seeing this, Xiao Zhan on the side explained to Liu Guoliang: "Ma Long just joined the first team a few days ago, and he is also from the capital team, didn't he perform with Ye Hao and Zhang Yiling at yesterday's party." ”

"Oh, in addition to Ye Hao, there were three boys who sang on stage yesterday, right?" Liu Guoliang is obviously not very familiar with Ma Long, Zhang Jike, and Xu Xin, the future Three Musketeers.

Ye Hao was sent away after saying his thoughts, while Liu Guoliang and Xiao Zhan stayed behind to continue discussing.

Liu Guoliang looked at Xiao Zhan, "What do you think of his proposal?" ”

"I think we might as well give it a try, they are teammates in the capital team, and there is still a tacit understanding, so they can train first." Xiao Zhan replied.

In this way, Ye Hao and Ma Long formed a doubles. In addition to his own training, Ye Hao has another task, which is to familiarize himself with Ma Long's position, running position and tactics in doubles. Because unlike singles, which is a one-person performance, doubles must be won by two people who work together, and as long as one person does not play well, it can lead to a loss.

In fact, the best pairing of doubles is always one horizontal, one left and one right, for example, Wang Liqin is a right-handed horizontal shot, his partner Yan Sen is a left-handed straight shot, and for example, Wang Hao and Kong Linghui are always a horizontal shot, Chen Qi and Ma Lin are one left and one right. However, Ye Hao and Ma Long both hold the racket horizontally with their right hands, and of course there is no stipulation that the doubles combination must be paired according to the above rules.

Unconsciously, Ye Hao had been training with Ma Long for nearly half a month, even if it was the Spring Festival, the two of them stayed in the team, and did not go back to reunite with their families, but chose to continue training. Both Ye Hao and Ma Long understand that the Greek Open at the end of the month is a rare opportunity, although there is still a selection process within the team, and only two pairs can go to the competition.

However, Ye Hao had a crazy thought in his mind at this time, "Now that I am basically sure that I can participate in the singles competition of the Olympic Games, do I have a chance to participate in the doubles competition?" "You must know that this is the last Olympic table tennis men's doubles competition, and it will become a team competition in the next 08 Capital Olympics.

Therefore, Ye Hao hopes that he can get along with Ma Long as soon as possible, improve the tacit understanding between the two, and improve the strength of doubles. After all, it is very difficult to squeeze out the three existing men's doubles pairs. Only if Ye Hao and Ma Long can play in doubles, play dazzling results, and make the coaching staff have to pay attention to the proud results, they may get the opportunity to enter the Athens Olympics.

As soon as Ye Hao told Ma Long his thoughts, he immediately ignited his fighting spirit. Ma Long is not as lucky as Ye Hao, he is already 99% sure of qualifying for the Olympic Games in singles. If he has the opportunity to participate in the Olympics, even doubles, it will be an opportunity for Ma Long, who is now about to turn 16. Therefore, as soon as Ye Hao proposed this idea, Ma Long did not feel that it was crazy, but felt that his blood was boiling and his heart was surging. Even though it may be difficult, the dream still has to be there, what if it comes true?