Davis Cup team expected to win

Davis Cup team expected to win

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Tennis Association's chairman
Sarwono Kusumaatmadja expects the country's Davis Cup team to win
its Asia Oceania Group I match against the Philippines next
month.

"The team's mission is to win. There's no such thing as
looking for experience. I want the team to present the victory to
the country as it celebrates Idul Fitri," Sarwono told the team
yesterday before it took off to Manila.

Sarwono said that the team has a greater mission than merely
winning the matches.

"If they can win the tie, people will support the association
to give the sport a better image and to attract more spectators,"
he said.

"But if they lose, they will have to fight in the qualifying
round. It will also affect the association's efforts in raising
funds to develop the sport," he added.

The association selected Andrian Raturandang, Suwandi, Bonit
Wiryawan and Sulistyo Wibowo for the match. All the players
except Suwandi won against China Taipei in Taipei last year. The
victory ensured Indonesia stayed in Group I.

Indonesia's score against the Philippines is 3-3. The
Philippines won three times in a row, in 1968, 1969 and 1974.
Indonesia took revenge with wins in 1986, 1992 and 1993.

"The players have prepared very well but I hope they don't
underestimate our opponents because the Philippines team is one
of the best in Southeast Asia," coach Wailan said.

Physical coach Paulus Pesurnay said that all the players'
conditions are satisfactory compared to their preparation against
China Taipei.

"Since December, none of the athletes have skipped a workout
or suffered any injuries," he said.

Bonit, the eldest player, said that he has to work harder
during the physical workouts because he is 29 years old.

"I have to practice harder because of my age. If in my youth I
could use only 70 percent of my energy, I now have to exploit 100
percent of my available energy," he said.

Paulus saluted Bonit because he is the only player who
finished first in four of seven physical tests.

The Indonesian Tennis National Team Council's chairman Wimar
Witoelar said that the team is to play on shale clay courts at
the Plaza Dilao indoor stadium, Paco, Manila, from Feb. 7 to Feb.
9.

Wimar said that the Indonesian Embassy is very enthusiastic
about the team's arrival and is to prepare a welcome dinner for
the players.

Sarwono also said that the Probosutedjo conglomerate is
providing a tennis camp in Yogyakarta for the association to
groom juniors.

"Coach Deddy (Prasetyo) reported to me that the juniors have
improved very fast due to the quiet of the place which enables
them to concentrate more. It's unlike Jakarta which is very
crowded and has many disruptions," he said. (yan)