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."