Chapter 8Beijing, the near future
Part of what made tennis frustrating and fascinating at the same time, Alex thought, was that it was really two jobs—playing tennis and promoting tennis, although he guessed that was true of many careers. No sooner did he land at Beijing Capital International Airport and go through the protocols for the latest coronavirus precautions, which included being tested and having the medical microchip in his left forearm scanned along with his passport and updated vaccination passport—than he was whisked to The Peninsula Beijing where he was given an upgraded suite in exchange for helping not only to promote the upcoming China Open but to discuss the athletic component of a cultural One World Festival that would take place the following year there.
Before he le
