Ding Junhui's defeat at the hands of Brecel was like a bucket of cold water on a winter day, making me shiver involuntarily.
Back in college, I was a die-hard fan of Ding Junhui, skipping classes to watch his matches with an enthusiasm that still seems incredible to me now.
At that time, Ding Junhui was synonymous with Chinese snooker. If anyone dared to say anything bad about him, I would definitely get into an argument.
But now, as time passes and heroes grow old, this feeling is somewhat akin to watching cherished old photos turn yellow, leaving a mixed taste in my heart.
This loss at the Scottish Open was indeed unexpected.
Brecel had hardly ever won against Ding Junhui before, but this time he staged an astonishing comeback.
Leading 3:1, the situation turned around, and the taste must have been bitterer than a cup of bitter coffee.
Even more surprising was Ding Junhui's reaction after the match.
Two Weibo posts directly targeted the organizers, with intense language and even swear words.
This is unlike his usual style.
You see, Ding Junhui always gives the impression of being calm and reserved. This time, his outburst must have been caused by something.
The reports say that Ding Junhui believes there was a problem with the table, which affected his performance.
As an outsider, I know nothing about the professional knowledge of snooker tables.
But imagine if a painter used a rough canvas or a chef used a blunt knife like a saw, could their work be good?
The same principle applies to professional snooker players; even the slightest difference in the table can affect the outcome of the game.
Ding Junhui's outburst this time may be like a craftsman facing inferior tools, feeling helpless and angry from within.
Of course, there are also many voices of doubt online, thinking that Ding Junhui can't accept defeat and is looking for excuses.
Some people compare him to O'Sullivan, saying that even when O'Sullivan loses, he never complains.
But I think everyone has their own way of expressing themselves, and perhaps Ding Junhui really felt cornered this time.
Like a spring, the tighter it's pressed, the greater the force of its rebound.
In recent years, Ding Junhui's career has indeed been full of challenges.
Once a world champion, his ranking now fluctuates, and he has to face external doubts and pressure.
I can almost see him alone, practicing over and over again in the training room late at night, his sweat soaking through his shirt.
That loneliness and perseverance, how many people can truly understand?
Fortunately, Ding Junhui did not give up. At this year's International Championship, he finally broke his five-year championship drought!
At that moment, I felt as if I saw him reborn from adversity, like a phoenix rising from the ashes, soaring once again on the snooker court.
This loss at the Scottish Open may just be a small episode on his glorious journey.
The charm of competitive sports lies in its unpredictability; until the last moment, you never know what will happen.
Just like life, it's filled with various challenges and uncertainties.
What we can do is to never give up, bravely face challenges, and pursue our dreams, just like Ding Junhui.
Ding Junhui's loss and his reaction have prompted us to think more deeply about competitive sports.
Winning and losing are common occurrences in war, but what's important is how to learn from failure and continuously improve oneself.
At the same time, we should also pay attention to the fairness of the competition environment and provide athletes with better competitive platforms.
Only in this way can competitive sports become more exciting and charming.
What do you think?
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