“Anna is hot!”

TENNIS

Story by Lai Jun Wei. Pictures by Ng Cheng Cong and Lai Jun Wei. © Red Sports

Keppel Club, Singapore, December 30th, 2007 – “Anna is hot, much prettier in person.” So declared 17-year-old Sylvester Wee of Raffles Junior College. 16 of Singapore’s elite tennis youth got to trade a few volleys with world number six Anna Chakvetadze this morning at Keppel Club. We overheard the coach commenting that the athletes were quite nervous as they sent a few shots into the net or out of bounds but the 20-year-old Russian did not show any impatience.

Anna sharing some tips with the tennis youths. © Ng Cheng Cong

Maria Sharapova was supposed to conduct the clinic but the responsibility fell onto Anna’s shoulders instead. As it turned out, the players were mostly rallying among themselves as Anna could only stroke with one player at a time. Perhaps language was an issue because she hardly gave tips to players on their strokes or playing style. Then unexpectedly, Sharapova made an appearance later in the morning and she had a short training session with her coach on one of the outdoor courts. Crowds of onlookers with their cameras stood against the fence, happily snapping away at the Russian star.

Anna sharing some of her experiences with the youths. © Ng Cheng Cong

The Singapore players will represent the nation at the Davis Cup in April 08 and will begin their campaign in Group 4. The players feel that Singapore tennis is improving but could go much further with more sponsors and media coverage. Vanessa Boey and Abdul Hakim both felt that tennis is often a misunderstood sport due to the lack of publicity.

On their view as to who the likely winner would be, Dominic Boey and Abdul Hakim support Maria while Vanessa feels more for the underdog Anna. The national players will serve as linesmen and ball pickers in the tennis match between Maria Sharapova and Anna Chakvetadze. Talk about front row seats.

Anna returning a shot in a rally with the tennis youths. © Ng Cheng Cong

Vanessa Boey (left) and Stephanie Tan (right) taking the interview with Red Sports. Stephanie, 15, is from RGS. © Ng Cheng Cong

Abdul Hakim, 16, of Montfort Secondary. © Ng Cheng Cong

Dominic Boey, 15, of Raffles Institution. © Lai Jun Wei

Vanessa Boey, 17 of Victoria Junior College. © Lai Jun Wei

Sylvster Wee, 17, of Raffles Junior College. © Ng Cheng Cong

The 16 Singapore national youth players who got a chance to rally with Anna Chakvetadze. © Ng Cheng Cong

Maria Sharapova also came down for a training session with her coach. © Lai Jun Wei

And that one girl who broke my heart by refusing the interview. 🙁 Anyone know her name? 😀 © Ng Cheng Cong

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