​Cambodia’s young tennis ace

It was there that Chamroeun first discovered tennis being played, and on a Monday morning in 2005, he was dropped off by his parents at the courts, standing without a racket, balls, shoes or proper athletic clothes, with only hope and determination to offer. ONE of the most promising talents emerging from the Tennis Federation skachat of Cambodia’s youth system is undoubtably 13-year-old Ek Chamroeun. Raised along with two sisters and five brothers in Phnom Penh by father Ek Sambo and mother Mao Ra, the youngster received encouragement and support from his family to pursue a career in tennis, although they lacked the funds to finance his new-found passion.

Cambodia’s young tennis ace

After spending two months training and competing in Rhone-Alpes regional tournaments, Chamroeun has now returned home, with a wealth of experience, and even a smattering of French. Chamroeun, with a remarkable physique for a 13-year-old and a humble and polite manner, is set to reap the rewards of hard work and persistence by the TFC, and says he would like nothing better than to see Cambodian tennis grow in the future. “I want to win international competitions abroad to promote Cambodia,” he said, adding that he will support his family and buy new sports equipment with any winnings. Upon his return from France, Chamroeun rejoined training with the national squad, which included a few sessions with visiting coach Robert Davis and his staff. Life in the French Alps consisted of four hours training per day, and Chamroeun noted how the regimented eating times and sleeping arrangements took some getting used to. The language barrier seemed to be just a temporary hurdle, as his heart and passion for tennis became the best tools for communication.

• ONE of the most promising talents emerging from the Tennis Federation of Cambodia’s youth system is undoubtably 13-year-old Ek Chamroeun.
• Chamroeun, with a remarkable physique for a 13-year-old and a humble and polite manner, is set to reap the rewards of hard work and persistence by the TFC, and says he would like nothing better than to see Cambodian tennis grow in the future.
• Raised along with two sisters and five brothers in Phnom Penh by father Ek Sambo and mother Mao Ra, the youngster received encouragement and support from his family to pursue a career in tennis, although they lacked the funds to finance his new-found passion.
• The biggest test of will for the young Cambodian came May 24, when he was sent on his own by the TFC to a tennis academy in Saint-Alban-de-Roche, in southeast France.
• “I want to win international competitions abroad to promote Cambodia,” he said, adding that he will support his family and buy new sports equipment with any winnings.

Cambodia’s young tennis ace

Secretary General of the TFC Tep Rithivit was touched by the curious 9-year-old and took him under his wings. With the support of Tep Rithivit, who provided training sessions, clothing and equipment, and the moral support of his parents, Chamroeun turned out to be a natural. The biggest test of will for the young Cambodian came May 24, when he was sent on his own by the TFC to a tennis academy in Saint-Alban-de-Roche, in southeast France.

Cambodia’s young tennis ace

Cambodia’s young tennis ace

Cambodia’s young tennis ace

• Upon his return from France, Chamroeun rejoined training with the national squad, which included a few sessions with visiting coach Robert Davis and his staff.
• It was there that Chamroeun first discovered tennis being played, and on a Monday morning in 2005, he was dropped off by his parents at the courts, standing without a racket, balls, shoes or proper athletic clothes, with only hope and determination to offer.
• The language barrier seemed to be just a temporary hurdle, as his heart and passion for tennis became the best tools for communication.
• After spending two months training and competing in Rhone-Alpes regional tournaments, Chamroeun has now returned home, with a wealth of experience, and even a smattering of French.
• With the support of Tep Rithivit, who provided training sessions, clothing and equipment, and the moral support of his parents, Chamroeun turned out to be a natural.

• Life in the French Alps consisted of four hours training per day, and Chamroeun noted how the regimented eating times and sleeping arrangements took some getting used to.
• After spending two months training and competing in Rhone-Alpes regional tournaments, Chamroeun has now returned home, with a wealth of experience, and even a smattering of French.
• It was there that Chamroeun first discovered tennis being played, and on a Monday morning in 2005, he was dropped off by his parents at the courts, standing without a racket, balls, shoes or proper athletic clothes, with only hope and determination to offer.
• The language barrier seemed to be just a temporary hurdle, as his heart and passion for tennis became the best tools for communication.

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