Young Dea has high ambitions<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): With Indonesian tennis still relying heavily on
\nveteran women's player Yayuk Basuki for international accolades,
\nit is time for younger players to shine in overseas tournaments.<\/p>\n
Dea Sumantri is one of the country's rising tennis hopes. The
\nBandung-based player, who is ranked ninth nationally and 53rd in
\nthe world junior singles, won the women's doubles event at the
\n2001 Cigna Open Colors of Life on Friday with practice partner
\nAngelique Widjaja.<\/p>\n
The pair also advanced to the quarterfinals of the girls
\ndoubles event at the Australia Open Junior Championships, but Dea
\nwas stopped in the first round of the single's event.<\/p>\n
Dea said being a top tennis player has been her dream since
\nchildhood. She learned tennis from her father Max Sumantri and
\nmother Wiwi Wijayanti.<\/p>\n
\"My parents took me to the tennis court when I was still a
\ntoddler. I saw them playing and I began to love the sport. Then I
\ncompeted in various junior tournaments and won most of them, so I
\nbegin to love the game even more,\" she said on Friday.<\/p>\n
Dea, who was born in Bandung on Jan. 20, 1983, began playing
\ntennis seriously when she was 6 and took part in her first junior
\ncompetition at the age of 9.<\/p>\n
\"I have partnered Angie (Angelique Widjaja) since I started to
\ncompete in tournaments,\" said the youngest of four siblings and
\nthe only girl.<\/p>\n
Dea's career is now being supervised by businesswoman Martina
\nWijaya, who is the Indonesian Tennis Association's head of
\ndevelopment, promotions and international relations. Dea lives in
\nMartina's house in Ragunan, South Jakarta.<\/p>\n
She practices with veteran players Wynne Prakusya and Romana
\nTedjakusuma and top men's player Suwandi. Dea has been coached by
\nformer national player Suharyadi, who is Yayuk's husband.<\/p>\n
\"I hope one day I can equal Mbak Yayuk's achievements. I hope
\nI can go as far as reaching the world number one, but I realize
\nit requires hard work. Women's tennis is very competitive
\nnowadays but I'm sure there is a way to reach the top.\"<\/p>\n
\"Right now, I am only targeting cracking the 100s or 200s of
\nthe world senior rankings within three years.\"<\/p>\n
Dea said she does not feel alone in Jakarta because she is
\naccustomed to traveling abroad on her own.<\/p>\n
\"When competing in international events, I used to go by
\nmyself. My parents never accompany me. I also try to make friends
\nwith lots of people so I will not feel sad when I am alone,\" she
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Dea said Martina has taught her to be responsible with her
\nfinances.<\/p>\n
\"If I win prize money, Ibu Martina gets 80 percent while I
\nkeep 20 percent of the total amount. She helps finance my
\ntransportation and accommodation.\"<\/p>\n
\"But first of all, I have to make a budget proposal for my
\noverseas tournaments and she records it and treats me as if I am
\nin debt. I have to repay the money but she is very flexible about
\nit.\"<\/p>\n
Dea also enjoys listening to music and watching movies in her
\nspare time, which she has precious little of. After her draining
\ndaily practice sessions, she has school lessons with a private
\nteacher from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. (ivy)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/young-dea-has-high-ambitions-1447893297",
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