Star Mary Pierce invited to work with local tennis enthusiasts |16 December 2015

French-American retired tennis professional Mary Pierce has been invited to work with Seychelles tennis enthusiasts.

Tourism and culture Minister Alain St Ange discussed the possibility of a working visit by the tennis champion to Seychelles during a recent meeting in Mauritius.

A French-American retired tennis professional who played on the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) tour, Pierce was born in Canada. She is a citizen of France, Canada, and the United States and played for France in team competitions and the Olympics.

Pierce won four Grand Slam titles, two in singles – at the 1995 Australian Open and the 2000 French Open – and two in doubles. She reached six Grand Slam singles finals and three Grand Slam doubles finals. She won 18 WTA singles titles and 10 WTA doubles titles.

The minister also took the opportunity to discuss the tennis tournament which players from the Indian Ocean islands are invited to compete in.

“Sports tourism has been on the Seychelles Tourism Board's agenda, and it is when we are able to get the support from a leading personality that we can move forward,” said Minister St Ange.

He added that his “meeting with Mary Pierce is one such avenue that can help both our people and our country."

Seychelles boasts some fine young tennis players and getting the possibility to work with former professionals will surely help them improve their game.

Already former female Belgian professional Justine Henin has a good working relationship with the Seychelles Tennis Association and Damien Laporte has also trained at her academy in Belgium.