VietNamNet Bridge - It has taken teenager Nguyen Hoang Thien five years to climb to the top of the Asian Tennis Federation’s U-14 rankings.

He began playing tennis with his father as a child and this year’s success in sweeping the titles in the Asian junior tournaments proves the commitment was worth it.

In October, the 13-year-old, nicknamed “Ti”, clinched the first ever International Tennis Federation (ITF) Under-18 crown in southern Binh Duong Province after beating Thailand’s Pasawit Buraphatitha in the final.

Two weeks later, he beat Amer Naow of Syria in the boys’ singles final and a silver medal doubles at the Asian U-14 Championships in Bahrain.

The HCM City-born youth caused the biggest surprise in the boys’ singles final of the Asian Juniors Circuit Tennis Tournament in Chandigarh, India, 10 days later when he crushed Vishal Passi in 83 minutes.

A few hours later, Thien triumphed in the doubles event with partner Digvijay Singh Naruka.

Series victories took him to the top of U-14 in Asia and paved his way to head into the professional league.

Thien said he dreams of being the first Vietnamese player ever to compet in a Gland Slam in history.

“I want him to be a professional tennis player because I know my son has the skill and talent to succeed,” said Nguyen Ngoc Minh, Thien’s father. “I’ve gambled big money on him and wish him to be a tennis star someday.”

First steps

Born in 1995, Thien first stepped onto a tennis court at eight years old when he followed his father a real estate businessman in HCM City – who played tennis every afternoon after work.

Minh found that his boy had fun with the tennis ball on the court and trained him in basic skills.

After two-years of training, Thien clinched his first ever title at the National U-10 Tennis Championship, which was a reason his father decided to take him on a new journey.

Living in a well-off family in the nation’s commercial hub, Thien was sent to train at Saddle Brook Tennis Academy in Florida, the US, after two-years of amateur training with his father.

Thien was then coached by Ashok S Bikkannavar, a US-Indian, who was a childhood coach of former German star Boris Becker.

“As an elder boy in the family, I gradually adapted to life in the US. Anyway, sweating out with tennis on court left me no time to be bored,” Thien said.

“After a year of training in the US, I experienced tough plays against taller and bigger opponents which strengthened my spirit in international tournaments,” he explained.

There, his coach guided Thien with the skills and a spirit of a professional player.

“I feel that he was born for tennis. I train him not only for money, but because he actually is a future star for Asia,” Bikkannavar said.

“I can say that I’ll accompany him to the top of tennis in Asia. However, Thien is still a kid and he needs time to perfect his skills and power. I’m sure that he will be a star in next two years,” Bikkannavar confirmed.

Thien is still training in HCM City with the coach in preparation for tournaments ahead.

Big fund

In Thailand, Paradorn Srichaphan – is the highest ranked player. He reached a career high World No 9 and played in four Grand Slams (the US Open, French Open, Australian Open and Wimbledon) between 2002-04.

Although it’s a far reaching target for Viet Nam, Thien could achieve that dream.

To help his son reach those aspirations, Thien’s father has saved US$1 million for Thien to attend a training course between the ages of 12-18.

“Thien may be a tennis star or not, but I will not regret spending this money on my son. Everyone has a dream and it’s my dream as well as Thien’s. He wishes to be a tennis professional tennis player in the top 100 and I support him,” Minh said.

In late October, Thien was invited to compete at the Ha Noi Tennis Open – where he failed to reach the final after a loss to former national top player Le Quoc Khanh.

The appearance of the teenager drew hundreds of Hanoian fans, who witnessed the flexible style showed by Thien. Most fans believe that the rising star is the hope for Viet Nam’s tennis future.

“He plays tennis like he’s dancing. I think Thien needs time to perfect his skills. He is so strong with forehand, but he is not actually powerful with backhand strokes,” said Doan Quoc Cuong, head of the tennis section of the National Sports Administration.

“He does well in defence, but he is not flexible with attacks. He has many challenges ahead,” Cuong added.

“Despite his short arm length, Thien raises his power of light-footed moves with long strokes and powerful serves,” commented Nguyen Huy Tien, an amateur tennis player in Ha Noi.

“My ambition is to take Thien into the top 100 tennis players of the world. His small physical stature is a disadvantage but height is not a problem; he is already 1.67m at the age of 13,” said coach Ashok.

Education

As Thien competes in tournaments regularly, his father arranges for a tutor to educate his son.

“Even if my son fails to become a star, I have a backup plan in mind for him,” he added refusing to further illuminate his words.

As for Thien, tennis is a way of life.

“Tennis is my life. I devote myself to it and I’ll reach to the top.”

(Source: VNS)