ERSA Pro Stringer Issue 9 2017 ProStringer_0917_5 web | Page 16

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INDUSTRY NEWS
The Legends’ Vision: Legends visited France, where
Peter Gade serves as national team coach, with a
surprise participation of Axelsen!
The Legends’ Vision was held in Paris, France on December 3rd, drawing a crowd of about 1,400 badminton fans,
people involved in badminton, and media personnel. The venue for the event was the Salle Wagram, nearby the
Paris’s Arc de Triomphe. Held in a hall used for purposes including dances, orchestral concerts, and weddings,
and surrounded by the uniquely resplendent ornamentation of Paris, the event took on an atmosphere that
would not be possible at any other venue.

The purpose of the event, spearheaded by Lin Dan (China), Lee Chong Wei (Malaysia), Peter Gade (Denmark),
Taufik Hidayat (Indonesia), and Lee Yong Dae (South Korea), is to promote the popularization and growth of
badminton, with the aim of making it a major global sport. Peter serves as coach of the French national team,
and he was unable to hide his excitement, even before the event began. Paris has also been chosen as the host
city for the 2024 Summer Olympic and Paralympic, and interest in sports is climbing to new heights in the city.

Viktor Axelsen (Denmark), the world’s top-ranked player, made a guest appearance at the event, as did members
of the French national team, taking the excitement at the venue to an even higher level. Local junior players
with bright futures paired up with the Legends for exhibition matches. The winner of the 2017 European Junior
Championships also put on a skillful display, tenaciously chasing down the shuttlecock, and picking up a few
pointers from the Legends along the way.

Activity spaces were also set up at the venue, allowing visitors to test their strokes and try to hit targets. Even
beginners were able to have a casual, enjoyable badminton experience, while receiving advice from French
national team members.

In 2017, The Legends’ Vision was held in Tokyo, Japan; Mumbai, India; and Paris, France. 2018 will mark the event’s
fourth year, and we hope you will continue to look forward to it!
Denis Shapovalov finishes stellar
2017 season with 2 ATP’s Awards
In the midst of the ATP World Tour Finals in London, 18 year-old Denis Shapovalov was honored during the ATP
award ceremony. After a sky rocketing year in the rankings, the young Canadian was selected as Most Improved
Player of the Year and earned the award for Star of Tomorrow, which is presented to the youngest player within the
Top 100 of the Emirates ATP Rankings.
“I cannot believe that I have won two awards. I worked hard for this series. I want to win an APT World Tour title next
series and finish in the top 25,” said Shapovalov confidently in front of the large crowd of the O2 Arena.
Having signed on with Yonex in June, Shapovalov’s switched to the VCORE SV amazing jump up from outside the
Top 250 at the start of the season to a career high of World No. 49 in late October. His remarkable 2017 run has
come with big results on tennis’ biggest stages. He became the youngest ever semi-finalist at an ATP World Tour
Masters 1000 event with wins over Juan Martin del Potro and Rafael Nadal at the Rogers Cup and was the youngest
player to make the 4th round of the US Open since 1998. Finishing the year on a high, we can expect even greater
achievements from the Canadian in the coming future.
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ERSA PRO STRINGER // ISSUE 9-2017