By Ben Johnson and Zhao Rui (China Daily)
Updated: 2007-09-04 10:07

"I do it because I am fully aware of the big impact that sports may make to their lives," he said.

"I love to see them play, I love to see them grow through competition and I believe they will be a force in the world some day by competing at this tournament."

Integral to the success of the European version has been its double commitment to educational initiatives.

Visits to the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre Museum have complemented programs run in conjunction with the United Nations Science and Education Cooperation Organisation (UNESCO), to which Henin is international tennis's ambassador.

"We developed some workshops about respect for fair play and the environment, because we have to teach them to be good human beings as well as tennis players, and in others in respect of anti-doping with WADA (World Anti-doping Organization)," Laurent said.

"And I'm very surprised with the Chinese ... they have had huge groups learn calligraphy and on Saturday evening they had a kung fu presentation.

"They also organized a trip to the Beijing Opera, so the children are learning cultural lessons and that's why it has worked very well in Paris."

Players at the China Open were guaranteed at least four matches and kept busy away from competition with visits to the Great Wall, the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square.

"We went to a Chinese tea party and saw other performances and it was good to see," 14-year-old English girl Lisa Mill, from Surry, told China Daily.

"And going to the market was a hell of an experience, but we got good presents for our family."

      1   2     

      1   2