Boris Becker’s new academy ‘can breed next generation of China tennis talents’
Mission Hills chairman Tenniel Chu says the sprawling resort can be key location for country’s talents
Mission Hills vice-chairman Tenniel Chu says the sprawling resort outside of Shenzhen can become the breeding ground for the next generation of Chinese tennis players after signing a deal with former world No.1 Boris Becker to launch an academy there.
The resort, better known for its many golf courses, will launch the academy in September after a pilot scheme in the summer. More details than that were vague, but Chu insists the German’s first ever tennis academy can be crucial to the development of the game in China.
“We had a mutual friend and when we had discussions instantly we both saw the spark and interest, how we could cross-synergise,” said Chu. “He was very hesitant previously not because no one approached him, many people asked him repeatedly, but he felt Mission Hills was a name.
“He’s also a keen keen golfer and knowing our commitment to recreation and the sport of tennis in China he felt this was a good partnership we can explore together. It took us less than 10 days in discussion to have the whole agreement.”
China currently has around 20 million tennis players but the prediction is that could easily grow to 300 million
Chu said the academy would take in fee-paying students, possibly in conjunction with the international school that is also on the Mission Hills site, plus some talented youngsters on scholarships.
