Angie still undecided on playing SEA Games

Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The risk of a setback on her road to recovery is the main consideration for national number one women's tennis player Angelique "Angie" Widjaja ahead of November's Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

"For the SEA Games next month, we cannot just force Angie to play," Virginia "Vivi" Rusli said on Thursday. "It would be no good for Angie if she forces herself to play and gets another injury."

She added that the Indonesian Tennis Association (Pelti) was understanding about the situation.

"We plan to meet Pelti chairwoman Martina Widjaja next week to inform her about our decision on whether to play in the SEA Games," she said. "We also have our deadline to tell Pelti."

Angie, 21, suffered a left knee injury during the Qatar Open in February last year. She returned to the WTA Tour after three months, but underwent surgery in Australia in November 2004.

She postponed several scheduled returns to the tour in 2005, including withdrawing from last month's Wismilak International in Bali after receiving a wildcard.

Vivi said Angie was focusing on strengthening her thigh to reduce the burden on her knee.

"This week, Angie started to run on the track, and that will be followed by playing tennis next week."

There is no plan for Angie, who won the Wimbledon and Roland Garros junior titles, to play any WTA tournaments at the end of the year.

"Angie might come back next year," she said.

Pelti deputy secretary-general August Ferry Raturandang said the association did not expect Angie to play if she was not fully fit.

He ruled out her playing singles, but said doubles play might be a possibility if she were deemed in proper condition.

The national squad is expected to be Wynne Prakusya, Romana Tedjakusuma and teenager Ayu Fani Damayanti -- who played Fed Cup ties against Germany and Puerto Rico this year.