Asian tennis showing unprecedented depth
Asian tennis showing unprecedented depth
Agence France-Presse, New York
Asian tennis is showing unprecedented depth with Indonesia's Angelique "Angie" Widjaja joining top talent from Japan, South Korea and Thailand.
But, the Indonesian standout warns, more must be invested in future players if the growth is to be sustained.
"Asian tennis is on the rise," Angie said. "But in Indonesia, there are no junior players. For now. We need a development program and we need to organize a few tournaments."
Angie, who ousted Russian beauty Anna Kournikova in the first round, was eliminated by France's Stephanie Foretz 7-5, 6-1.
"From 5-3, I lost my concentration," Angie said. "She played aggressive. It's weird, because before the match I felt confident. There was no pressure. I felt better against Kournikova. Her style fit me better." `
Another Asian top female player, Tamarine Tanasugarn of Thailand, was also ousted in the second round by American wild card Bea Bielik 6-4, 6-2 in exactly one hour.
Tanasugarn shared Angie's view about the growth of Asian tennis.
"Asian tennis has improved a lot over the years," Tamarine said. "We are making strides everywhere, in Korea, Indonesia and of course Thailand. It's great."
Tamarine's compatriot Paradorn Srichaphan, currently Asia's top-ranked male player, advanced to the second round of the U.S. Open here Wednesday with a 6-1, 6-3, 6-0 triumph over American Prakash Amritraj.
Paradorn, who won his first ATP title last week at Long Island, will next face Britain's Greg Rusedski, who beat American Alex Kim 6-1, 4-6, 7-6 (7/1), 6-3.
"This year I got a wild card, but I have to go out there and play my best or it could go either way," Paradorn said. "I'm just playing my game. He played well but he needs more experience. I just go out and whoever I'm playing, I play my game."
That includes boyhood idol Andre Agassi, who Paradorn ousted from Wimbledon in the second round.
"If some guy is not from Asia beating Agassi in the second round at second court, it would be pretty normal. Being from Asia, it's more different."
As Asia's top-ranked male player, the Thai veteran said he has a responsibility to the continent, not just his homeland.
"I feel great presenting not just Thailand but Asian tennis," he said. "There's not so many Asians out here at this level. I'd like to see more. I'd like to have young Asian players looking up like I looked up to Michael Chang.
Paradorn changes to a red shirt in mid-match, a move similar to part-Thai golf star Tiger Woods' popular habit of wearing a red shirt on Sunday's for a final-round charge.
"I'm always going to finish with the red one," Paradorn said. "Especially in Thailand, they are wearing on Sunday the red one."
Paradorn is near his 2002 goal of cracking the top 30 in the ATP rankings, thanks to a workout regimen that focuses on footwork.
"Three more spots and I reach my goal for the year. Then I will set another goal," he said. "I have been working hard for the last two years. Now it's time for that to be paying off. I've been working hard on my legs and my reaction time. If I can get time to get good position to hit the ball, I can hit it good."
The match was shown live on television in Bangkok, where Paradorn's fame has grown while his moments to work have shrunk due to demands on his time.
"No one is crowning me," he joked. "Every day I get less practice, but still I have to play well."