Windy Shao

THE first tennis tournament for China’s college students, the China Open, will be held in Shenzhen in 2009, the Chinese Tennis Association (CTA) and Mission Hills announced Thursday.

Organized by China’s Federation of University Sport, the US$100,000 event will be co-hosted by the CTA and Mission Hills Golf Club, which has 51 tennis courts.

“I hope more enterprises like Mission Hills could join our effort to develop China’s tennis, especially among young players,” said Gao Shenyang, vice chairman of the CTA.

Former World No. 2 Michael Chang also attended the conference, where he introduced his first tennis academy, Mission Hills Michael Chang Tennis Academy.

Chang had been thrashing out details of the academy with Mission Hills since last August and said he had met many talented young players in the city.

“The Chinese have been so successful in table tennis and badminton, there is no reason for tennis not to be more successful here,” said Chang.

Chang’s first formal training session will probably be held this summer, said Tenniel Chu, executive director of Mission Hills.

Chang, the 1989 French Open Champion, will be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame on July 12 this year, becoming the only Chinese to receive the honor.

During his career, he captured 34 singles titles and also reached 24 tournament finals.

Chang said he will display his French Open trophy at Mission Hills.

Windy Shao

THE first tennis tournament for China’s college students, the China Open, will be held in Shenzhen in 2009, the Chinese Tennis Association (CTA) and Mission Hills announced Thursday.

Organized by China’s Federation of University Sport, the US$100,000 event will be co-hosted by the CTA and Mission Hills Golf Club, which has 51 tennis courts.

“I hope more enterprises like Mission Hills could join our effort to develop China’s tennis, especially among young players,” said Gao Shenyang, vice chairman of the CTA.

Former World No. 2 Michael Chang also attended the conference, where he introduced his first tennis academy, Mission Hills Michael Chang Tennis Academy.

Chang had been thrashing out details of the academy with Mission Hills since last August and said he had met many talented young players in the city.

“The Chinese have been so successful in table tennis and badminton, there is no reason for tennis not to be more successful here,” said Chang.

Chang’s first formal training session will probably be held this summer, said Tenniel Chu, executive director of Mission Hills.

Chang, the 1989 French Open Champion, will be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame on July 12 this year, becoming the only Chinese to receive the honor.

During his career, he captured 34 singles titles and also reached 24 tournament finals.

Chang said he will display his French Open trophy at Mission Hills.