| Taipei, Sept. 30 (CNA) In front of hundreds of enthusiastic tennis fans, high-ranked players Rafael Nadal and David Ferrer spent Friday afternoon trading shots with local young talents at National Taiwan Sport University.
The Spaniards and 10 university players spent around an hour practicing baseline shots, cross-court shots and volleys in what the organizer called a "tennis clinic," a day before the two play an exhibition match at the same venue.
Appearing relaxed and loose, both Nadal and Ferrer wore smiles throughout the drills and feigned shock when facing strong returns.
Nadal also drew some laughs from the crowd when kicked the ball soccer style.
In contrast, school administrators and faculty appeared to be on edge and admonished the students to pay attention to their footwork.
"Move! Move faster! Don't be afraid facing the superstars," shouted Chang Szu-min, the school's vice principal and former coach of the school's tennis team.
Chang's uneasiness seemed to have been shared by the students, who played cautiously, carefully preparing themselves before hitting each ball.
"Nadal and Ferrer were so calm that my strategy to agitate them proved in vain," said a distraught Tsai Chang-en. "They didn't even tie their shoelaces."
Still, the 19-year-old, who has played tennis for more than 10 years, said he was thrilled to be able to exchange shots with the tennis greats.
Tsai said he will also go to the exhibition match held at the school's gymnasium Saturday, with his eyes fixed on Nadal's footwork and Ferrer's forehand. (By Lee Hsin-Yin) enditem/ls |
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