When China won their first-ever ticket to the 2003 Fed Cup World Group in March, the country was no longer considered an outsider to world of tennis.

But according to Zhang Xiaoning, the deputy director of the Chinese Tennis Association (CTA) and vice-president of the Asian Tennis Association, this is only part of the eye-catching accomplishments China have made in the sport.

The heads of the nation's sport have given their all in recent years in a bid to place China amongst the most sophisticated and professional teams.

Mini tennis

Mini tennis originated in Europe and was specially designed for players under the age of 12. By using softer balls, smaller racquets and courts, it was seen as an excellent way for children to learn to play tennis.

"To promote tennis in China and to attract kids into the game, mini tennis is a good way to inspire their interest," Zhang said, who received the "Outstanding Accomplishment Award" from the International Tennis Federation last year for promoting tennis, particularly mini tennis, in China.

The CTA launched the "Mini Tennis Across China Program" in 1996 to encourage more Chinese children aged from 5 to 12 to pick up tennis racquets.

The program, called "Project Hope of Chinese Tennis," has set up 160 training centers in 20 provinces, cities and autonomous regions around China. The scheme has attracted over 30,000 children into the sport.

Mini tennis was added to as election of sport courses in the country's nine-year compulsory plan issued by the Ministry of Education in February, 2001.

"In this way, China can quickly increase its tennis population and the strength of the sport," he said.

To help Chinese children transfer from mini tennis to the ordinary game of tennis, the association also launched the National Junior Transitional Tournament in 2000, which uses specially designed racquets and low air-pressure balls.

Increasing involvement

Besides the program to nurture the stars of the future, the nation has also witnessed a rapid growth in the world of tennis.

"Our cooperation and exchanges with the rest of the world have speeded up in recent years," said Zhang.

Many top-notch tennis tournaments, professional or non-professional, have taken place in the world's most populous nation.

China hosted the Fed Cup Asian and Oceania Zone Qualifying Round Tournament in March in Guangzhou, which was the first time the country had staged a regional competition.

In November, Shanghai will stage the 2002 Tennis Masters Cup, the ATP season-ending event featuring the top eight-ranked players in the world.

China is about to stage over 60 tennis tournaments this year, half of which are international events, Zhang said.

In other fields, foreign faces have also began to appear in the once-enclosed national team such as Mark Elliott from the United States.

"We will invite more foreign coaches to China and will send Chinese coaches and players abroad to enhance the level of our playing," he said. Zhang is optimistic about the tennis market in China.

"The market grows so fast with the great improvement of Chinese people's living standards," he said. "Several million people have picked up tennis racquets in China."

The once "royal sport" which could only be afforded by a few people has gained incredible popularity across the nation.

Even people in urban areas can afford the equipment. "Market competition is already very fierce," Zhang said.

Famous international sportswear and equipment manufacturers including Wilson, Nike, Adidas and Converse have set up branches, agencies or factories in China.

"I hope more foreign companies will cooperate with us to promote sport in China because China is a really appealing market," he said.

(China Daily April 29, 2002)