Diana withdraws from Fed Cup team

Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Diana Julianto has pulled out of Indonesia's Federation Cup team, a move which may prompt Pelti, tennis's national governing body, to withdraw the team from the upcoming Cup competition in China.

Diana's withdrawal from the team, which would have marked her international team debut, was revealed on Sunday on the sidelines of the Cigna Open finals. However, the 18-year-old from Bandung, West Java, was reluctant to reveal the reasons behind her decision.

She looked out of sorts after her 6-2, 6-7 (4-7), 2-6 loss to Liza Andriyani in the women's final at the Hilton Executive Club Hardcourts. It was her third loss to Andriyani in as many meetings.

Liza, coincidentally, was the player Pelti overlooked in favor of Diana for the Fed Cup matches, scheduled to be held in Guangzhou early next month.

"She is better than me. I was no match for her. She beat me in this tournament," Diana told The Jakarta Post as she hurried away, attempting to fend off questions.

Martina Wijaya, the Fed Cup team manager, disclosed Diana's withdrawal when she revealed a notification letter signed by Diana's father Hendra Julianto, dated Feb. 16.

In the letter, Hendra cited Liza's comment that she was disappointed at missing out on the team as the reason for his daughter's decision to withdraw.

Diana's withdrawal has left the team with three members -- Angelique Widjaja, Wynne Prakusya, both currently playing overseas, and Wukirasih Sawondari.

Martina was seen talking with Diana at the clubhouse after her loss to Andriyani. It was later revealed that she had been attempting to persuade Diana to change her mind, but to no avail.

"She has made her decision," a downcast Martina told reporters.

"We registered the names on Feb. 11. Now she's quit.

"With only three players and any late replacement being impossible, I doubt whether we should go to the Fed Cup."

Diana insisted she was no better than Liza after being defeated in the final. She said she did not deserve to take over Liza's place in the team.

"I told her she should not have said so," Martina said. "You see, she lost largely due to making too many unforced errors. What's more, we turned to her on the grounds that she is young and has the potential to develop.

"She may take over from Angelique in the future," Martina said, referring to Indonesia's rising star, Angelique Widjaja, winner of the junior tournaments at Wimbledon and the Australian Open.