IT WAS tennis diva Maria Sharapova who inspired Vincent Ng to pick up tennis.

The three-time South-east Asia Games gold medallist and former world wushu champion jumped, smashed and volleyed like a pro when this reporter met him for a game recently.

And thank goodness, the 32-year-old actor doesn't grunt like his Russian idol.

So was it Sharapova's famous grunt on court that aroused his interest in the sport? I teased.

'She's beautiful to watch,' replied Ng, blushing.

'Her strokes are beautiful and she's entertaining.'

'I also like Rafael Nadal,' he added quickly.

Ng first saw Sharapova on TV last year when he was having coffee with his friends at a coffee joint.

He soon found himself getting hooked on watching tennis tournaments on TV.

Itching to play the game himself, Ng gathered some of his wushu students to form a tennis class and got his friend to coach them together.

'When you pick up a new sport, it is always good to get people who are of the same level to learn and play together,' said the former MediaCorp artiste who now concentrates on teaching at his wushu school - Wufang Academy.

'Knowing wushu is an advantage when you pick up any other sports. Wushu is a physical sport which teaches a lot of flexibility.'

So that explains his gongfu stunts on the tennis court!

'Of course I want to learn the correct tennis strokes. But it is also important to have fun on the court. We aren't professionals after all,' added the celebrity hunk.

Ng who has also written the fitness book - TEN: A lean and sculpted body in 10 weeks - reveals that he likes sports that would make him perspire a lot.

He finds sportsmen and sportswomen most attractive when they are drenched in sweat.

Vincent picked up tennis late last year and now plays it once a week.

Eight months ago, he started golfing.

He also enjoys wakeboarding, jogging and working out at the gym.

Every night before he goes to bed, Ng would do at least 100 sit-ups and 100 push-ups.

'During my sporting days when I was representing the country, I would train five hours a day, six times a week. My fat level was always between three and six per cent. I could eat anything that I wanted,' said Ng.

After he entered showbiz, Ng found himself caught in a rat race.

Balance

He said: 'We all need to make a living. And sports is a good way to relieve stress. I am glad I've found a balance now. We can never finish our work.

'Many people don't realise that we need to take a break to go a longer distance.

'I want to do sports every day. That's how I want to live my life.'

And to those who lack the confidence and feel intimidated by others, Ng advises you to pick a sport that you like and get a buddy to do it together.

He said: 'You just need to take the first step.

'Enjoy the sport, be it tennis, badminton or golf. Have fun playing it. We are not professionals.'