Windy Shao

    windysjf@hotmail.com

    BORIS BECKER, a six-time tennis major singles champion and coach of current world No. 1 Novak Djokovic, announced his cooperation with the Mission Hills Group on Saturday to open the world’s first Boris Becker Tennis Academy in Shenzhen.

    “I am passionate about helping young tennis players to develop and it is my great hope that here at the academy we can uncover China’s next generation of tennis stars, and set them on their way to becoming Grand Slam contenders,” the tennis great said.

    Becker said he will come here multiple times just to make sure the program is followed.

    “Obviously I don’t live here. We have a number of international coaches and local coaches, we are on the course of finding right coaches at the moment.”

    While being asked when China can have its own Novak Djokovic at a news conference, Becker said it will be the biggest challenge: “We like challenges, that’s a long-term project and cannot be done overnight. It starts on the ground, from the teenagers. Hopefully, in a couple of years, we will be surprised by the result.”

    After staging a junior clinic, Becker added: “Clearly there is tremendous talent and potential among young tennis players in China.

    “To progress to the next levels, it’s imperative not only to provide outstanding facilities, but also to offer more opportunity to play in tournaments.”

    Mission Hills has hosted hundreds of tennis tournaments and been the training ground for the country’s national team. With the increasing population of tennis players in China and the Olympic Games in August this year, the partnership between Mission Hills and Boris Becker will further popularize the sport in China, said Tenniel Chu, Mission Hills vice chairman.

    As a player, Becker was nicknamed “Boom Boom” when he burst on the scene as a 17-year-old.

    He reached No. 1 in the world rankings and won an Olympic doubles gold medal to go alongside three Wimbledon triumphs, two Australian Open titles and one U.S. Open victory.

    In December 2013, Becker became Djokovic’s coach.

    With Becker at his side, Djokovic made 15 straight finals, winning 11 titles, including three Grand Slams. He won 82 of 88 matches he played last year.

    Of Becker, Djokovic said: “Boris is a true legend, someone who has great tennis knowledge. His experience has helped me win new trophies, Grand Slams and other tournaments.

    “He is a great person, too. He’s extremely tough mentally, always was – as a player, now as a coach. He never shows his weakness, I think that’s one of the characteristics and virtues that helped him to be a champion. We are a team, we do this together.”