Lan Bale
Lan was born in South Africa and started playing tennis when he was 9 years old. As a junior he was ranked #1 in the Under-16 and Under-18 junior divisions in South Africa. He traveled as a junior to the U.S. and Europe and competed against other top ranked juniors from around the world. He joined the ATP Tour in Europe in 1990.
During the 11 years that Lan played as a professional he traveled all over the world competing. He won 4 doubles titles and his highest ranking was 23rd in the world. His highest singles ranking was #170 in 1992. In 1994 he won the U.S. Clay Court Championships with Brett Stevens of New Zealand. That same year he reached the quarter finals at Wimbledon and the 3rd rounds of the French and U.S. Opens with Brett.
During his professional career he competed against some of the best players of all time, such as Boris Becker, Stefan Edberg, Pat Cash, Pat Rafter, Gustavo Guerten and Goran Ivanisevic and many others. As a Professional player he was elected by his peers to represent them on the ATP Tour Players Council. After competing at Wimbledon in the year 2000 Lan retired from professional competion. Lan then became the assistent coach for the mens team at Berkeley University in the U.S. for the next 2 years. Because of the great success achieved by the mens team Lan recieved the Pac-10 Assistant Coach of the Year Award for 2002.
Lan moved to Queenstown in August 2002 and brought with him his vast expertise. He has completed the ATP's Professional Course and the USPTR coaching program. Lan coached Wayne Ferreira at the 2003 Australian Open resulting in great success. Wayne made the semi finals losing to the eventual winner Andre Agassi. Wayne played the most consecutive Grand Slams of all time...56! Wayne also boasts the best career record of any player against Pete Sampras.
He has also worked with the doubles team of Kevin Ullyett\Wayne Black.
- Players Comments -
"Lan Bale is an extraordinary tennis player and coach."
---------------- Wayne Ferreira.
"I highly recommend Lan Bale as tennis coach of extraordinary
tennis talent with unique abilities."
---------------- Dennis Van der Meer, Tennis University.
"Not only is he an extraordinary player, he is also a superlative coach and leader."
---------------- Craig Tiley, Mens Tennis Coach at the University of Illinois, former
S. Africa Davis Cup Captain.
"He recieves the highest recommendation I can give."
---------------- Peter Wright, Mens Tennis Coach at the University of California at Berkeley.
- Photo Gallery -
