Angie signs deal with Samsung

Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Indonesian Junior Wimbledon Champion Angelique Widjaja has secured financial support from the Indonesian arm of Korean-based company Samsung Electronics for her 2002 tennis campaign.

The deal was signed here on Thursday with PT Samsung general manager Lee Kang-hyun.

"We are going to provide financial support for Angelique from one tournament to another. This is a form of our appreciation to her, the world's future tennis star," Lee told reporters.

He declined to say how much the contract was worth, saying it was different from that made with professional players. Lee added Angelique would not have to sport the company's logo on tour.

"Angelique is still at her schooling age and she has yet to turn pro. Don't talk too much about money with her," Lee said.

Angie, as the 17-year-old player is called, would also not disclose the amount involved when asked by reporters attending the deal signing.

"I'm tied (by my contract) not to disclose the amount," she said.

Angie, who won her first professional tournament at the Wismilak Open in Bali during her debut in September, plans to take part in 13 senior tournaments and five junior tournaments beginning with the Australian Open in January.

Angie shot to fame in Indonesia following her triumph in the junior category at the Wimbledon Championship in July.

She has also proved her toughness in the senior field when she donned the national colors at the Southeast Asian Games in Kuala Lumpur before her triumph in Bali.