Febi, Hendri hope to reach top 300 next year
Febi, Hendri hope to reach top 300 next year
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian men's tennis players Febi Widhiyanto
and Hendri Susilo Pramono are expected to improve their ATP
rankings and reach the top 300 next year.
Coach Deddy Prasetyo told reporters in a press conference on
Wednesday that Febi and Hendri would compete in eight tournaments
in the Bundesliga and three US$15,000 Futures in Germany.
"I hope by competing in the German league, they can reach the
world top 300 next year. Now Febi is ranked 711 and the second
best in the country after Dede Suhendar Dinata with the ranking
of 636 while Hendri is in 926th position. I also hope they both
can help the club to win the league."
The two Indonesian players received sponsorship from PT
Asuransi Allianz Life Indonesia in life insurance policies worth
US$25,000 each. The sponsorship is an extended program from last
year's deal.
They will join BW Schwetzingen tennis club in southern Germany
after qualifying in three tournaments in Memmingen, Ludwigashafen
and Offenbach last year. They will be coached by Peter
Traeutlein, a famous regional head coach of the German Tennis
Federation (DTB).
Febi said: "I was lucky to have a sponsor in this period when
many of my friends have had problems getting one. I aim to do my
best during my stay in Germany to help my club win the league
title."
He expressed optimism that he and Hendri would be able to
reach the world's top 300.
"As long as we have sponsors to compete in many tournaments
abroad, I believe I can reach the target."
Febi just returned from Kuala Lumpur as a member of the
country's Davis Cup team. He contributed two points in the match
where Indonesia overwhelmed host Malaysia 5-0. Febi also joined
the 1999 Southeast Asian Games contingent where he reached the
men's singles semifinals and the men's doubles semifinals,
partnering Hendri.
Hendri joined the Davis Cup team during the tie against the
Philippines in February. He played doubles with Edy Kusdaryanto.
In the just-concluded match against Malaysia, they were replaced
by seniors Bonit Wiryawan and Sulistyo Wibowo.
They will return to Indonesia on June 14 to compete in the
15th National Games (PON) in Surabaya.
"We've already signed the contract with the Jakarta government
to represent them in PON. We can't break the deal," said Febi on
his reason for competing in the quadrennial local event.
The Indonesian Tennis Association (Pelti) hoped by competing
in the Bundesliga both players could carry on the tradition of
winning gold medals in the 2002 Asian Games in Pusan, South
Korea.
Indonesia has mostly won gold medals ever since it first
competed in the Asiad in 1966. Only in 1994, did the national
team fail to bring home the gold. Yayuk Basuki added a gold medal
in the women's singles in 1998. (yan)