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)