HCM CITY – Vietnamese teenager Nguyen Hoang Thien will receive financial support of around VND6 billion (US$285,800) this year, most of which will come from his family.

His father, Nguyen Ngoc Minh, has also agreed a $50,000 sponsorship deal with the Viet Nam Tennis Federation to host three ATP Men's Future Series tournaments. As a result, 24 Vietnamese players will receive wildcards to the tournaments, and the 17-year-old will receive three official invites to compete in overseas Future Series events.

In 2012, Thien is set to take part in 23 international tournaments, including six professional men's tournaments organised by the ATP.

The teenager was knocked out of the U18 Loy Yang Traralgon International on Sunday in Australia after losing to Portugal's Frederico Ferreira Silva 0-2 in the first round. – VNS