China and Australia signed an agreement on Jan.22 that will involve Chinese tennis players being trained Down Under as part of the drive to develop the sport in the country.

Under the agreement, the two sides will co-operate in training camps, coaching workshops and aid elite players to train in Australia.

Geoff Pollard, chairman of Tennis Australia, said both sides could help each other.

"We can both help one another further develop tennis in both Australia and China," he said.

"We would like to see all tennis develop in Asia, but obviously in China, the largest market, I think it's important.

"I think it's important we're already there through the Tennis Masters Cup, of which we are part owners. And it particularly gives our players a chance to play in China before the 2008 Olympics (in Beijing)."

Paul McNamee, chief executive of the Australian Open, added: "In China, they're really keen to develop tennis as an icon sport there, as a major sport, and are looking to Australia to help if we can.

"It's important for us to carry our weight in the region."

In the past two years a new breed of Chinese players has emerged with potential to go far after the Chinese Tennis Association, which for years focused on domestic competitions, started taking halting steps to open up.

Seven Chinese women were this year in the draw for the Australian Open.

Sun Jinfang, of the Chinese Tennis Asssociation (CTA), said she hoped support from Australia would help boost the profile of tennis in China.

"We think it's very important and very successful to have the co-operation with Tennis Australia and the Australian Open because they provide us, our Chinese junior players, more opportunities," she said.

"It is good for the development of tennis in China. We think we are happy to have such cooperation with Australia."

As well as helping elite players, the agreement provides for junior China-Australia challenge tournaments and tennis administration support.

(China Daily January 23, 2006)