American Hall of Famer Dennis Ralston instructs Chinese teens in Eugene, Oregon, earlier this month during the "Mercedes-Benz Swing for the Stars" tennis camp, a junior-level development program initiated by the Chinese Tennis Association (CTA) and its promoter, Beijing International Group (BIG).

Hall of Famer Dennis Ralston watched goggle-eyed as a group of Chinese juniors smashed balls to one another at a training complex in downtown Eugene recently.

As the kids flew across the court, the five-time Grand Slam doubles champion wondered where they had learned to get so good so soon.

"These kids that I've worked with today are better than the U-12 kids I saw at the national tournament in the US," he said. "(They) are as good if not better."

Ralston is one of the top coaches invited to join the "Mercedes-Benz Swing for the Stars," a junior-level development program initiated by the Chinese Tennis Association (CTA) and its promoter, Beijing International Group (BIG).

The program, initiated in Beijing ahead of the 2008 Summer Olympics, is the association's latest campaign to turn China into a tennis powerhouse in line with its women players on pro Tours and at the Olympics.

A member of the US Tennis Hall of Fame, Ralston is now training two juniors and several professionals. But he said they need to watch out for the growing threat from Asia.

"I was really impressed with the skill level of these kids," he said. "They worked hard and there is some real talent there."

After five rounds of clinics across China last year, 250 top juniors were whittled down to nine and dispatched on a 24-day training camp in the US. Three of the country's best coaches went with them.

They arrived in Eugene on Feb 2 and began training under Jeff Bearup, the director of Boston-based New England Academy of Tennis, who attended the previous clinics.

"I think we (will) have a huge impact, not only on junior tennis but on coaching in China," he said. "It's a great opportunity for Chinese players as well as the Americans to take part in the program."

The clinic, which ends on Feb 25, was a confidence-booster for some, and a life-changing opportunity for others as they faced the best the US has to offer at this age.

"I am very surprised that I was selected among so many applicants," said Li Yihong, a 13-year-old from Sichuan province who is already a two-time national junior champion.

Li, dubbed a "petite Yan Zi", advanced last year to the first team of the same provincial tennis squad that produced China's Grand Slam doubles winning pair Zheng Jie and Yan Zi. Now Li hopes she can emulate the success of Yan, who the CTA sent to train in the US-based Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy in 1996.

"I hope I can learn as many new things as possible during this trip," said Li, who idolizes Yan and current world No 20 Zheng.

Thirteen-year-old Wang Yan also has high expectations after attending similar camps in Boston and Miami.

"I think I've already benefited from the program because my mental power and serve have both improved," she said.

News of their rapid improvement was music to the ears of visiting CTA president Sun Jinfang, the mastermind of the program.

"We have been working on the 'top of the building' (elite player training program) for a very long time. Now it's time to consolidate the base of the building," she said.

China have witnessed great success in women's tennis since the 2004 Athens Games by providing the best resources to its elite players. But Sun knows more camps like these are needed at a grassroots and junior level to turn China into the next big tennis nation.

"This program is a great way to foster future stars in China," Sun said. "Maybe another 'Zheng Jie' or 'Yan Zi' will appear in a few years among these players."

The program takes on more significance by reaching out to children living in China's poor rural areas. Gerong Zhuoma, a Tibetan living in Yunnan province, and Du Zhima, a Musuo minority, were selected to the team despite having done little of note in their respective tennis careers.

"I just want to provide opportunities to unprivileged kids," said Sun, who sponsored another 10 minority children.

There is also a tennis instruction manual made especially by Bearup for Chinese coaches and junior players. Outstanding players will qualify for the season-ending Chinese Grand Prix, the nation's top domestic tournament.

"This clinic is the second step of the program," said Tom McCarthy, chief executive of BIG. "(It's) what we look at as a global network of pulling together resources and support and developing educational training for young players and young coaches in China.

"The next step is moving up to the national level."

(China Daily February 20, 2009)