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Philippines, 05 Jul 2025 |
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Raising the Game: Jean Henri Lhuillier’s Unmatched Impact on Philippine Tennis By Marlon Bernardino PhilBoxing.com Fri, 04 Jul 2025 For more than two decades, Jean Henri Lhuillier—President and CEO of Cebuana Lhuillier and President of Unified Tennis Philippines (UTP)—has been a driving force behind the sustained growth of Philippine tennis. With bold vision, strategic investment, and a deep commitment to Filipino athletes, he has built an ecosystem that supports talent from grassroots to global competition, helping reshape the country’s tennis landscape in the process. Lhuillier’s involvement with the sport goes far beyond advocacy. He served as team manager of the Philippine Davis Cup teams for several years, guiding top national athletes through one of the sport’s most competitive global arenas. His leadership extended to the international stage as part-owner and team manager of the Philippine Mavericks in the International Premier Tennis League (IPTL), where he worked alongside global icons such as Maria Sharapova, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Andy Murray, and Filipino standout Treat Huey—one of several internationally recognized Filipino players who rose with his backing. Others include Cecil Mamiit and Katharina Lehnert, both of whom made their mark globally with Lhuillier’s long-standing support. “These experiences proved what I’ve always believed: Filipinos have the skill, drive, and heart to compete with the world’s best,” Lhuillier shares. “Our role is to build the system that supports them every step of the way.” That system is firmly in place through Unified Tennis Philippines (UTP), the national tennis development organization he leads. Under his direction, UTP has become the backbone of tennis growth in the country, focused on building a sustainable and inclusive environment for athletes at all levels. UTP now organizes over 100 tournaments each year, covering juniors, professionals, seniors, and recreational players. With a network of 24 regional officers, it ensures that opportunities extend beyond urban centers, empowering players across the archipelago. Its active membership of more than 1,200 players reflects a thriving and energized tennis community. A cornerstone of Lhuillier’s approach is international exposure. Through UTP, 31 of the country’s top junior players have competed in international circuits such as the ITF, ATF, and WTA Future Stars tournaments in countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, and China. Among them is a standout group known as the “Elite Eight”—UTP’s most promising junior athletes, handpicked for focused training and regular international competition. These experiences build confidence, sharpen skills, and instill a winning mindset. To further elevate local talent, UTP introduced the Universal Tennis Rating (UTR) to the Philippines. Used by the ATP, WTA, and ITF, UTR offers a global, merit-based evaluation of player performance. This gives Filipino players a level playing field and a clearer path to international rankings. Beyond technical training and competition, Lhuillier has eliminated key barriers that often prevent young athletes from advancing. Through Cebuana Lhuillier Sports, he has provided end-to-end support covering coaching, equipment, travel, and tournament logistics—making tennis more accessible to players regardless of background. Among those who continue to benefit from this system are some of the country’s top players today. Through the Cebuana Lhuillier Tennis Ambassadors program, Lhuillier supports Francis Casey Alcantara, Ruben Gonzales, and AJ Lim—all of whom have represented the Philippines in the Davis Cup, Southeast Asian Games, and other major international events. His consistent backing has helped them reach new milestones and inspired younger generations to dream bigger. “These aren’t just programs. They’re launchpads,” Lhuillier emphasizes. “We’re not just teaching tennis—we’re helping young athletes compete, succeed, and see what’s possible.” With Philippine tennis now gaining renewed momentum, Lhuillier continues to set his sights higher. His goals: institutionalize long-term athlete development, expand the talent pipeline, and position the Philippines as a serious contender in the global tennis arena. “This is about transformation that lasts,” he adds. “We’re not building for the moment—we’re building for generations.” From every court built to every athlete uplifted, Jean Henri Lhuillier’s leadership has reshaped the future of Philippine tennis—one match, one milestone, and one champion at a time.-Marlon Bernardino - Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.  |
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