New | Tennis gains popularity among China’s concerned parents and well-to-do middle class
Parents say tennis helps their children cope with pressure from their studies while well-off adults enjoy the sport’s fashionable status
Concerned that his teenage daughter might be overwhelmed by her school work, Shenzhen resident Yuan found the girl a private instructor to teach her tennis every Saturday.
“I think my daughter is under a lot of pressure, spending most of her time studying,” says the company executive, who wanted to be identified only by his surname. “Playing tennis is good for the body and the mind, and can also strengthen her resolve.”
One year into the arrangement, Yuan says his 13-year-old daughter’s behaviour has changed for the better.
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The girl, who used to complain about physical activities, now enjoys the sport and has also picked up the habit of running after school almost daily, he says.
“She is very happy and more willing to study ... She is strong and very energetic now,” Yuan said.
Yuan is just one of thousands of Chinese parents who have signed their children up for tennis classes as the sport gains popularity across the country.
China’s hosting of top-tier tennis tournaments since 2009 has made tennis a familiar sport with many households. The rise of Chinese tennis star Li Na has also helped popularise the sport among the country’s middle class.
