Febi targets junior Grand Slams

JAKARTA (JP): He is not Indonesia's number-one, but he could be the country's best hope after winning the boys singles at the 10th Indonesia Astra International Championship.

The 282-ITF-ranked player always smiles during a match, even if he's losing.

His name is Febi Widhiyanto and he was born in Salatiga, a small town about 60 kilometers south of Semarang, on Feb. 9, 1980.

Febi, the only son of civil servant Djuhadi and Sri Mulyaningsih, started playing tennis when he was eight years old. He joined a small club in his hometown and was coached by Djatmiko.

"I used to want to be a top shuttler. But when I hurt the left side of my back, I started to play tennis," Febi said.

Febi now trains under Deddy Prasetyo at the Mercu Buana club, owned by conglomerate Probosutedjo, in Yogyakarta.

"In 1993, when I played at the Thamrin tournament in Senayan, Jakarta, I met Oom (uncle) Deddy. We just talked but after that I wanted to be train under him," Febi told The Jakarta Post.

"I told my father that I wanted to be a tennis player. Then in September 1993 my father took me to Jakarta," he said.

Febi, whose ITF doubles ranking is 84, won the Indonesia junior circuit in Jakarta, Semarang, Surabaya and Denpasar last year, said he was ambitious and hopeful about his future.

"I want to play in the junior Grand Slam series. But first I have to improve my ranking," he said.

Only the ITF's top 50 can compete in the series.

Unlike many players who want to train abroad, Febi -- who trained at the Nick Bollettieri camp in Florida for three months in 1995 -- preferred to compete in tennis tours.

"I think I prefer to play in many tournaments rather than being coached in a tennis camp," he said.

Febi said his parents and his three sisters supported him to continue playing.

"Besides I have quit school in Salatiga," he said.

Febi is studying with a tutor at the club's dormitory with his six tennis mates.

"I am registered as a student of Bina Daya Bangsa high school in Sukoharjo, Surakarta. But I only go for final exams," he said, laughing.

Febi said people told him to start meeting people.

"How can I meet anybody if I spend my life playing tennis. I only stay at home during the holidays or weekends," said Febi, who claimed not to have a girlfriend. "I'm still focusing my attention on tennis." (yan)