TAIPEI - Aided by Lu Yen-hsun's historic victory over Andy Roddick at Wimbledon, the Taiwan government has decided to build a tennis centre to hold international tournaments and help promote the sport.

TAIPEI - Aided by Lu Yen-hsun's historic victory over Andy Roddick at Wimbledon, the Taiwan government has decided to build a tennis centre to hold international tournaments and help promote the sport.

By beating the world No7 Roddick in the fourth round at Wimbledon on June 29, Lu became the first Taiwan player to reach the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam and the first Asian to do so since 1995.

And it was the final push needed for a new tennis centre, coming after years of pleading by tennis officials, players and fans from the country.

Taipei mayor Hau Lung-pin said on Monday that the government would spend 3,5billion Taiwan dollars (R840million) to build an international tennis centre in Taipei.

The facility will include an indoor 10000-seat main court, at least 17 outdoor practice courts and a 1000-bed motel. - Sapa-DPA