Coach hopes Angie will join top 100 within two years
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian tennis player Angelique Widjaja, who grabbed her first Grand Slam junior title on Sunday, is set to break the world's top 100 in the World Tennis Association (WTA) tour ranking, coach Deddy Tejamukti said on Monday.
"I want her to reach the world's top 100 within two years. She's now on her way there," he told reporters.
Angie, her nickname, has become the talk of the country after successfully defeating Dinara Safina of Russia for the Wimbledon crown making herself the first and only Indonesian to win a Grand Slam title.
The Indonesian Tennis Association (Pelti) and the National Sports Council (KONI) have prepared a little celebration to greet the new champion upon her arrival in Jakarta on Tuesday morning.
Local journalists have criticized both sports bodies for failing to provide any significant contribution to the 1.73m tall player. Yet after Angie's great achievement, they have grappled for public recognition, using her as a model for successful junior development.
Deddy said Angie, her nickname, still has to walk a long way before being able to compete in the qualification for the senior Grand Slam.
She has competed in three senior tournaments this year so far.
Angie bowed out in the second round at the US$25,000 Challenger in Hang Chou, China, in February. She reached the semifinals of the $10,000 Satellite in Kaohsiung, Chinese Taipei, in March losing to a South Korean player.
At the $25,000 Challenger in Vietnam in April, she also lost in the second round but managed to beat Choi Young-ja of South Korea, who ranks 320 in the world.
Deddy said Angie must compete in at least 10 senior tournaments this year to improve her world ranking.
"She will defend the country at the Federation Cup next week as part of the women's team. After that, she is scheduled to compete in two $10,000 Satellites in Bangkok from Aug. 6 to Aug. 19. In September, she will compete at the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.
"I hope she can earn a wild card to play in two Wismilak Open tournaments in September and November. In November, she will also compete in two more $10,000 Satellites in Manila."
Unfortunately, Angie would have to bury her dream of competing at the U.S. Open junior tournament as she has to compete at the SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur from Sept. 8 to Sept. 17.
"I would prefer her to compete at the U.S. Open to end her junior career there," said Deddy, who has coached Angie since 1993.
He would also prefer Angie to train individually rather than attending training camps.
"She can train together with other tennis players if she needs to play in team events including the Fed Cup. Until now, Angie finds playing tennis more comfortable if she can enjoy the training atmosphere," he said.
Most talented young players like Wynne Prakusya and junior Dea Sumantri attend a specialized training camp organized by businesswoman Martina Wijaya at her residence in South Jakarta.
Martina, who is also Pelti's head of development, promotion and international relations and the chairwoman of the Asian Tennis Federation (ATF) development and tournament committee, provides top class coaches like Yayuk Basuki's husband Suharyadi, former players Tintus Arianto Wibowo and wife Suzanna Anggarkusuma. She also has indoor and outdoor plexi-pave tennis courts at her residence.
Separately, KONI vice chairman Arie Sudewo urged Pelti to give more attention to Angie as she had great potential.
"Pelti should realize that Angie has good future prospects and must ensure that she gets all the opportunities to develop her future career," he told reporters.
"We must also remember that most of our glorious junior athletes have failed to continue their career at a senior level. We must ensure this will not happen to Angie." (nvn/ivy)