Yi Sarun, Cambodia’s Immortal Tennis Icon: Farewell to a Pioneer of Phnom Penh Courts

 Yi Sarun, a towering figure in Cambodian tennis whose name became synonymous with the sport’s resilience and revival, has died at the age of 81 after a long illness on December 19, 2025. Born in 1945 into a humble family, Sarun rose to become one of Cambodia’s greatest tennis players, survived the brutal Khmer Rouge era, and later dedicated his life to passing on his passion to younger generations.

Yi Sarun

His passing has cast a deep shadow over the Cambodian Tennis Federation, marking the end of a pioneering era in the country’s sports history.

A Rising Star Before 1975

Sarun began his journey in the 1950s, collecting stray balls at the Cercle Sportif in Phnom Penh to get closer to the game. His talent quickly emerged, earning him a place on Cambodia’s national team. He became the country’s top player and represented Cambodia in international competitions, including tournaments across the Soviet Union in cities like Moscow, Vilnius, and Kiev.

Throughout the late 1960s and early 1970s, Cambodian tennis enjoyed a golden age. Alongside contemporaries such as Tep Kunnah, Sarun embodied the nation’s excellence on the court, often playing before Prince Norodom Sihanouk, a well-known enthusiast of the sport.

Surviving the Killing Fields

The rise of the Khmer Rouge in 1975 brought catastrophe to Cambodia’s sporting community. The regime viewed tennis players and other athletes as symbols of the ousted elite, leading to brutal persecution. Of an estimated forty national team members, at least thirty-seven were killed. Sarun survived by concealing his past, burying his trophies, and working in the rice fields of Takeo province to avoid detection.

Rebuilding and Inspiring Future Generations

After the fall of the Khmer Rouge in 1979, Sarun returned to tennis with the help of donated equipment from expatriates. He resumed playing and used his experience to coach and mentor new players. Well into his later years, he could be seen on the courts of Phnom Penh, teaching children and competing in casual matches against expatriates to earn his living.

His contributions were formally recognized in 2018 when Tennis Cambodia honored him at the Olympic Stadium for his instrumental role in reviving the sport after the genocide.

Legacy and Tributes

Known affectionately as “Mr. Tennis” and Lok Kru (Teacher), Sarun was a beloved mentor, father of three, and devoted husband. The Cambodian Tennis Federation expressed “deep sorrow” and praised his enduring impact on athletes and coaches alike. Social media tributes from across the country highlighted his journey—from humble beginnings at the Cercle Sportif to regional competitions and a lifetime dedicated to tennis.

His legacy lives on within the Cambodian tennis community, which remains committed to carrying forward his spirit of resilience and love for the sport.