Chang to miss Indonesia Open again next year
Chang to miss Indonesia Open again next year
JAKARTA (JP): Top player Michael Chang will miss the 1996
Indonesia Open slated for Jan. 8 as the organizers are not
offering appearance money to the American, winner in the 1993 and
1994 event.
But last year's champion Paul Haarhuis of the Netherlands is
ready to defend his title even though the Indonesian Tennis
Association shunned his agency's demand of US$25,000 appearance
money.
The association's promoter and tournament director Eddy
Katimansyah quoted Chang's agency as saying that Chang would be
available if he was given US$300,000 for playing in the annual
championship.
"We would rather use such a large sum of money for developing
the tennis skills of our young players," said the white-haired
Eddy, who is also an obstetrician and gynecologist.
Eddy told The Jakarta Post yesterday that the tournament is
sponsored by private television channel Indosiar which is
entitled to call the tournament Indosiar Men's Open Tennis
Championship. Indosiar is providing the total cash prizes of
$328,000 and is covering the costs of organizing the tourney.
Eddy indicated that Indosiar might be able to pay Chang's
appearance money. But it was obviously unnecessary if it was made
available just for the sake of Chang's presence, Eddy said.
"Given Chang's world ranking, the tournament would be too easy
for him. Moreover, if we want to watch interesting matches we
should invite Chang and another world players equal to him. But
that would double the appearance money," Eddy added.
World number six Chang has dismissed the $328,000 Open. But 76
foreign players with world rankings from 19 to 796, according to
the official player acceptance list on Nov. 27 made available to
The Post, will be turning up for the tourney.
They include world number 43 Jacco Eltingh of the Netherlands
who surprised Chang 7-6 (12-10), 6-3 in the first round of the $6
million Grand Slam Cup in Munich, Germany, on Tuesday.
The other top contenders on the list are, among others, world
number 19 and defending champion Paul Haarhuis and world number
20 Gilbert Schaller of Austria who stopped world number one Pete
Sampras 7-6 (7-3), 4-6, 6-7 (4-7), 6-2, 6-4 at the first hurdle
of this year's French Open on May 31.
All 76 players confirmed their participation before the final
closing date of registration on Nov. 27. "Thus far, none of them
have announced withdrawals," said Eddy's deputy, Eduard Hinuhili.
Eddy said that as host, Indonesia will get three wildcards in
the main draw and four others in the qualifying rounds. Eddy was
unable to name the Indonesian players to be fielded in the
championship. "We will know their names about one week prior to
the tournament," he said. (arf)