Coach hopes Angie will join top 100 within two years<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian tennis player Angelique Widjaja, who
\ngrabbed her first Grand Slam junior title on Sunday, is set to
\nbreak the world's top 100 in the World Tennis Association (WTA)
\ntour ranking, coach Deddy Tejamukti said on Monday.<\/p>\n
\"I want her to reach the world's top 100 within two years.
\nShe's now on her way there,\" he told reporters.<\/p>\n
Angie, her nickname, has become the talk of the country after
\nsuccessfully defeating Dinara Safina of Russia for the Wimbledon
\ncrown making herself the first and only Indonesian to win a Grand
\nSlam title.<\/p>\n
The Indonesian Tennis Association (Pelti) and the National
\nSports Council (KONI) have prepared a little celebration to greet
\nthe new champion upon her arrival in Jakarta on Tuesday morning.<\/p>\n
Local journalists have criticized both sports bodies for
\nfailing to provide any significant contribution to the 1.73m tall
\nplayer. Yet after Angie's great achievement, they have grappled
\nfor public recognition, using her as a model for successful
\njunior development.<\/p>\n
Deddy said Angie, her nickname, still has to walk a long way
\nbefore being able to compete in the qualification for the senior
\nGrand Slam.<\/p>\n
She has competed in three senior tournaments this year so
\nfar.<\/p>\n
Angie bowed out in the second round at the US$25,000
\nChallenger in Hang Chou, China, in February. She reached the
\nsemifinals of the $10,000 Satellite in Kaohsiung, Chinese Taipei,
\nin March losing to a South Korean player.<\/p>\n
At the $25,000 Challenger in Vietnam in April, she also lost
\nin the second round but managed to beat Choi Young-ja of South
\nKorea, who ranks 320 in the world.<\/p>\n
Deddy said Angie must compete in at least 10 senior
\ntournaments this year to improve her world ranking.<\/p>\n
\"She will defend the country at the Federation Cup next week
\nas part of the women's team. After that, she is scheduled to
\ncompete in two $10,000 Satellites in Bangkok from Aug. 6 to Aug.
\n19. In September, she will compete at the Southeast Asian (SEA)
\nGames.<\/p>\n
\"I hope she can earn a wild card to play in two Wismilak Open
\ntournaments in September and November. In November, she will also
\ncompete in two more $10,000 Satellites in Manila.\"<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, Angie would have to bury her dream of competing
\nat the U.S. Open junior tournament as she has to compete at the
\nSEA Games in Kuala Lumpur from Sept. 8 to Sept. 17.<\/p>\n
\"I would prefer her to compete at the U.S. Open to end her
\njunior career there,\" said Deddy, who has coached Angie since
\n1993.<\/p>\n
He would also prefer Angie to train individually rather than
\nattending training camps.<\/p>\n
\"She can train together with other tennis players if she needs
\nto play in team events including the Fed Cup. Until now, Angie
\nfinds playing tennis more comfortable if she can enjoy the
\ntraining atmosphere,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Most talented young players like Wynne Prakusya and junior Dea
\nSumantri attend a specialized training camp organized by
\nbusinesswoman Martina Wijaya at her residence in South Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Martina, who is also Pelti's head of development, promotion
\nand international relations and the chairwoman of the Asian
\nTennis Federation (ATF) development and tournament committee,
\nprovides top class coaches like Yayuk Basuki's husband Suharyadi,
\nformer players Tintus Arianto Wibowo and wife Suzanna
\nAnggarkusuma. She also has indoor and outdoor plexi-pave tennis
\ncourts at her residence.<\/p>\n
Separately, KONI vice chairman Arie Sudewo urged Pelti to give
\nmore attention to Angie as she had great potential.<\/p>\n
\"Pelti should realize that Angie has good future prospects and
\nmust ensure that she gets all the opportunities to develop her
\nfuture career,\" he told reporters.<\/p>\n
\"We must also remember that most of our glorious junior
\nathletes have failed to continue their career at a senior level.
\nWe must ensure this will not happen to Angie.\" (nvn\/ivy)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/coach-hopes-angie-will-join-top-100-within-two-years-1447893297",
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