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January 10, 2004<download pdf doc>

BEAST MEETS EAST

Max Mirnyi, world no. 1 doubles player, may be nicknamed the beast for his ferocious style of game on the court, but – as Max puts it himself – “ the beast is just a fairy tale character… we all know the story. He’s not all that bad.”

After being asked in a press conference how Hong Kong tennis youngsters could be inspired better on the court, Max was first to jump in and offer his services… and services is what these kids got – hard, and lots of them!

Max showed Hong Kong’s top juniors his other side earlier today in a one-hour clinic held at Victoria Park. Twenty avid youngsters surrounded the towering giant, listening to an excellently delivered introduction before taking to the court to show him what Hong Kong kids are made of.

The kids were split into two separate groups by Tennis Centre coaches Graeme Foster and Jason Sankey, starting with ground strokes before testing Max at the net with some well attempted passing shots.

“I haven’t missed a volley yet, guys… come on… hit the ball… hit me,” Max says, smiling the whole time.

Ryan Cheung and Josh Finklestein were the first to rise to the challenge – both grinding some punitive groundies either side of their goliath opponent. Max picked up the pace a little, toying perhaps – in gentle-giant-like fashion of course: Bryan Cheung being forced into a 20-stroke rally of lob and drop shot tennis – cat and mouse maybe. Catherine Ip, the youngest of the Hong Kong girl’s managed to crush a backhand down the line, amusing Max’s coach on the sideline – “Looks like you could have a new partner for the mixed next year, Max.”

After a grueling 35 minutes of drills, the kids got what they had in for them from the start – a bombardment of yellow bullets fired at them at over 200km/h, fully automatic of course.
Only two kids managed to return Max’s serve, receiving autographed tennis balls for their courageous efforts. Well done to Ryan Cheung and Vicky Ip!

The rest of the kids were seen ducking and diving, laughing at the sheer velocity of Max’s serve. Even Graeme Foster and Jason Sankey were dragged out to show the kids how to do it. 2 abrupt aces later, the Tennis Centre coaches rapped up the session with a few pictures of a day enjoyed by all.

Perhaps Hong Kong kids need to bring out the beasts in themselves.