Former tennis star Michael Chang on Tuesday lauded the "sensational" growth of the game in China and said he hopes it will result in more world-class Chinese players. 

The retired 1989 French Open champion, now coach of Japan's world number 14 Kei Nishikori, said he has witnessed first-hand how tennis has gained in popularity in China over the last 30 years.

Speaking at the China Open, now a major stop in the tennis calendar, the American said: "I can recall playing here in Beijing in a much smaller venue. 

"To see how tennis has grown tremendously over these years in and throughout China has been sensational."

World number one Rafael Nadal is competing in the Chinese capital, while many of the biggest names in the women's game are also in Beijing.

But the host country has only ever produced one Grand Slam singles winner, the now-retired Li Na, and Chang said: "Now you're seeing obviously some of the biggest tournaments in the world being played here in China.

"And obviously a lot of smaller tournaments, challengers, futures, opportunities for young Chinese players to not only play on the ATP Tour or on the WTA Tour, but to be able to go out and be some of the best in the world." 

The 45-year-old was speaking as he was named a global ambassador for the International Tennis Hall of Fame, which he was inducted into in 2008.

Source: AFP