Canto-pop star Eason Chan on tennis, touring and Madonna
After a three-year tour, the canto-pop icon has traded in the stage for the court, leading the Hong Kong Tennis Association’s latest effort to promote the sport to young and old
Canto-pop singer Eason Chan has been on tour for more than three years, but now he’s finally ready to enjoy some downtime in his hometown of Hong Kong.
The 42-year-old recording artist, one of the city’s most popular stars, has become an ambassador for the Hong Kong Tennis Association, promoting a sport that he has enjoyed since childhood. This week he helped launch the association’s Tennis Rocks programme, which will provide free tennis training and equipment to more than 4,000 Hong Kong children over the next three years.
Recruitment for the programme, part of a collaboration with the Hong Kong Jockey Club, begins this month, with training expected to commence in mid-October. It will also run in conjunction with the Senior Tennis Rocks programme, supporting retirees and senior citizens.
To mark the event, Chan spoke to the South China Morning Post about his love for the game, why he still idolises Andre Agassi and what really happened when he appeared on stage with Madonna in Macau this year.
You started playing tennis aged 7; why did you grow to enjoy the sport so much? I guess I was a more privileged child, with my father working for the government at that time. We shared a tennis court with our neighbours so I enjoyed playing tennis, but it was mainly influenced by my father. We had the sports channel, TVB, every Sunday, so we watched it at home. My dad was not so much of a horse racing fan, or a mahjong player. He liked football and was a Manchester United fan at that time. He also liked tennis and used to watch a lot of McEnroe versus Lendl, and Bjorn Borg in the late 1970s. He never took us to the gym, he just took us downstairs to play tennis, along with my older brother. We did everything together as a family. I was in a tennis team at school when I moved to the UK, and played lawn tennis in Wiltshire. It was slightly bumpy, but it was absolutely amazing, particularly in the British summer. A lot of people used to think I was imitating Michael Chang because I had short, straight hair, with quite a high hair line.
I would’ve reacted the same way, because the crowd were all watching the show with their mobile phones in front of them. If I were Madonna, I would be pi***d off
Which sportsperson do you idolise and why? My favourite was always Andre Agassi, and still is – he is just a legend. He is very keen on education back in his hometown. Steffi Graf is also one of my favourite female players, she has done so well. They are just so meant for each other. They have the same mentality for education, not just tennis education, but general education, back in their hometown. They were in adverts together, but I think it was for a good cause, rather than for the fame, because those brands can afford to contribute more to our society. I used to like him for his trendiness and he is so up front about himself, about wearing a wig when he was losing his hair. He was on cocaine when he was world number one [Agassi admitted taking crystal meth in 1997], then he dropped out of the top 500, but went back to number one. I’m sure he has the drive to strive through that level, but I doubt he would expect himself to end up this way. He’s still contributing and a good role model.