How a former world class tennis player makes fitness a core part of her life
- Venise Chan, who as a junior was ranked No 2 in Asia, had to give up pro tennis after injuring her back in 2013
- She still plays in local competitions and credits regular exercise for improving her energy at her job in finance
Hong Kong’s former No 1 tennis player Venise Chan Wing-yau still hasn’t hung up her racket after 20 years of competition.
Although a back injury knocked her off the pro circuit for good in 2013, Chan continues to pound the court. The Cambridge University graduate has also taken up a career as a finance professional, and is currently a risk and compliance associate at Carret Private Capital.
She plays regularly in competitions at Hong Kong’s Chinese Recreation Club. As she does almost daily, she has rushed to the venue after work to talk to the Post, and will soon rally with a friend on court in preparation for the CRC Hong Kong Open this autumn.
“The most important part for me is to stay fit, but I’m not as fit as before,” admits the 30-year-old. Having a corporate job has significantly curtailed opportunities to practise and hone her skills. In a recent tournament, she developed cramps in the second set.
As a pro, her regimen included training several hours daily. She competed at major competitions such as the Asian Games, and travelled to more than 30 countries to compete in events. She competed in four junior Grand Slams – including the US Open in 2006 and the French Open two years later.