Benny gets red card from Davis Cup match
Benny gets red card from Davis Cup match
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's number one Benny Wijaya has been sidelined for the Davis Cup qualifying round match against South Korea in Seoul next week, giving away his place to debutant Teddy Tanjung.
Chairman of the Indonesian Tennis Association Sarwono Kusumaatmadja told reporters on Wednesday night that Benny did not deserve the Asia Oceania Group One tie for "not showing commitment to national interest."
"We need a player who consistently devotes himself to his country without reservation. There are only yes or no answers for those who are called up for events in which national pride is at stake," Sarwono said in a rare emotion-charged tone.
Benny, a Davis Cupper since 1990, signed a three year deal worth US$250,000 with a Taiwanese club last year. He said after his first-round exit from the Indonesia Men's Open two weeks ago that he was eager to play the classic Davis Cup duel against the South Koreans.
Non-playing captain and coach Wailan Walalangi has also picked seasoned young prodigies Suwandi, Donny Susetyo and Bonit Wiryawan to complete the team's lineup.
"Benny thinks about his club first. We have no doubts about dropping him from the team," Wailan said. Citing an example, Wailan said Benny had to ask his coach for permission before deciding to don national colors.
Wailan denied that his squad has a dim chance of winning without Benny. "We never rely on a certain player. The Davis Cup is a team game," he said.
Wailan, former national player who powered Indonesia into the Davis Cup World Group match in 1986, found a technical reason for his decision to sideline Benny. "He did not train for the past two months," said Wailan.
South Korea has made a slight change to its squad which lost 2-3 to a Benny-led team here last year. New face Lee Hyung-taik, who beat Suwandi in Hiroshima's Asian Games last October, will join veterans Yoon Yong-il, Chang Eui-jong and Kim Chi-wan.
The national team has been prepared for the Feb. 3-5 duel at the air-conditioned Senayan indoor tennis stadium. The five- rubber best-of-five tie will be played on artificial turf.
"Chilly weather is the toughest hurdle, apart from South Korean's fanatic crowd," Wailan said. The temperature in Seoul is reportedly between 0 and -10 Celsius.
Indonesia leads South Korea 4-3 in their Davis Cup long rivalry dating back from the early 1970s, with each winning its home matches. "This time we are poised to break the jinx," Sarwono vowed.
The national squad will leave for Seoul on Sunday, in an attempt to get used to the unfriendly weather. (amd)