BACK IN THE 70s and 80s, very few professional tennis players made their way into the ATP circuit from Asia. Barring renowned names such as former World No. 16, Vijay Amritraj, former World No.2 and French Open champion, Michael Chang and Ramesh Krishnan, Asian tennis was not a force to reckon with.
However, in the 90s, the Indian Express duo of Mahesh Bhupathi and Leander Paes and later, the former World No.9, Paradorn Srichaphan, with their skills and achievements, set the tone for the future generations to follow.
Today, there is a huge influx of Asian players in the ATP pro circuit and the emergence of current World No.6, Kei Nishikori, the controversial Nick Kyrgios (whose mother is Malaysian), India’s hope Yuki Bhambri and Japan's Yoshihito Nishioka has successfully put the Asian professional tennis on the world map.
These current and former Asian giants came under one roof in Shanghai as a part of ATP to celebrate the success of tennis in the Asian region.
About a few years ago, there were just three Asians in the Top 200 of the Emirates ATP Rankings. Currently, there are about 17 players competing in both the ATP World Tour and ATP Challenger Circuit held in Asia every year.
Given the massive success and bright future of Asian tennis, the ATP Executive Chairman and President Chris Kermode said,
“The ATP World Tour has come a long way in Asia in a relatively short space of time, and we’re very proud to have some of our biggest events on the Tour in this region, none more so than this week’s Shanghai Rolex Masters. Tonight is one of those special occasions where we have players past, present and future come together all under one roof, and we look forward to continuing the growth of men’s professional tennis in Asia in the future.”
Going by the steady rise in the quality of tennis, regular tournaments, and love for the sport, Asian tennis fans are in for a fascinating ride going ahead.
To watch the celebration, click here https://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/atp-in-asia-tennis-celebration-shanghai-2015