Li tennis match to boost ties

On the heels of Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic's state visit to China last month, a tennis match will pick up the baton to boost Sino-Serbian relations before the annual China Open tournament.

Dubbed "tennis diplomacy", an exhibition match between China's first Grand Slam singles champion Li Na and men's world No 1 Novak Djokovic of Serbia will be played at the National Tennis Center on Friday to raise money for youth tennis cultivation in China, while promoting cultural exchanges between the countries.

Inspired by China's groundbreaking ping-pong diplomacy in the 1970s, Djokovic, who has been actively promoting Serbia's international image, suggested the idea two years ago and put it into action after receiving an affirmative response from Li this summer, said Goran Djokovic, the event promoter and the Serbian star's uncle.

"It's like tennis diplomacy between the two countries. We expect this event will highlight the ties between the countries and develop them to a new level," he said.

In 1971, China invited the United States table tennis team to visit for a friendly tour, which paved the way for then-US president Richard Nixon to visit in 1972 and the establishment of Sino-US diplomatic ties in 1979.

The Serbian embassy expects a similar impact could result from the match.

"The match will open a new chapter in cooperation between Serbia and China, as well as in other fields," said Tatjana Panajotovic-Cvetkovic, minister counselor of the embassy.

To make space in their hectic schedules for the anticipated "battle of the sexes", both Djokovic and Li had to adjust their itineraries or even skip tournaments. Novak Djokovic sent his uncle in advance to arrange pre-match activities while Li canceled her campaign at the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo this week to fully focus on the match.

"It's difficult for them to share their free time to do things like this. It's a big sacrifice but charitable efforts bring them together," said Goran Djokovic.

Boasting athletic achievements on the world stage, both Novak Djokovic and Li enjoy hero status in their home countries, which inspired them to give back to society.

As a global ambassador for UNICEF, Novak Djokovic established his own foundation in 2007 to support youth education in Serbia while Li donated her 500,000 yuan ($81,600) purse from winning the Madrid Open to earthquake-damaged areas in Qinghai province in 2010.

The match will be their first joint charitable effort, and all profits will be donated to the youth tennis development program of the Soong Ching Ling Foundation through online platform 51give.com.

Goran Djokovic said tickets for the match in the 15,000-seat Diamond Court have sold out. "Maybe next time we can make it in a soccer stadium (with more seats) to raise more money."

Youth players and entertainment celebrities will be invited to take part in the first two parts of the event before Novak Djokovic and Li square off for the final match.

Novak Djokovic's humorous stunts on court, such as his attempts to write his name in Chinese characters on the camera and impersonations of other players, are expected to entertain the fans on Friday, his uncle said.

"Novak is a big fan of traditional Chinese culture, including calligraphy and acupuncture therapy."

sunxiaochen@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 09/25/2013 page11)