Indonesia announces Davis, Fed Cup teams

Indonesia announces Davis, Fed Cup teams

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Tennis Association yesterday
announced which players would compete in the Davis Cup tie
against Japan next week.

Association chairman Sarwono Kusumaatmadja said yesterday that
Sulistyo Wibowo, Andrian Raturandang and Suhendar Dinata would
represent the country in the qualifier in Sapporo, Japan, from
Feb. 13 to Feb. 15. They will be accompanied by nonplaying team
captain Sulistyono Sukamat.

"Bonit (Wiryawan), who usually partners Sulistyo in the
doubles, could not join the squad because he's still suffering
from typhoid," he said.

Sarwono named Wynne Prakusya, Wukirasih Sawondari and Eny
Sulistyowati for the Fed Cup team to compete in the Asia Oceania
qualifying group I in Bangkok from Feb. 16 to Feb. 22.

Wynne who became the first Indonesian to reach a grand slam
final in the junior division, was given a bigger role in the Fed
Cup.

One of the three players will play in the singles and the
doubles.

Sarwono said the three players would have to work hard to
adapt to the winter conditions in Sapporo.

"If we look at their technical skills, the Japanese players
are no stronger than the Indonesians. But they will be playing in
front of their own public in winter. Our players must prepare
themselves mentally and physically to fight the chilly
conditions," he said.

On Japan's team are Goichi Motomura, Takao Suzuki, Hideki
Kaneko, Satoshi Iwabuchi and non-playing captain Jun Kamiwazumi.

Indonesian coach Deddy Prasetyo will accompany the players as
team manager during the Fed Cup qualifying ties.

"The young trio has improved greatly and I am just giving them
the target of staying in the group," he said.

The winner of the qualifying round, in which eight countries
will compete, will go through to the World group.

"It's hard for the young players to be the winners without
Yayuk Basuki (world ranked 20). They will have to fight against
the Chinese and the Thais. I guess Tamarine (Tanasugarn) of
Thailand will be out for revenge as she lost to our players in
the 19th SEA Games last year, especially as she will be playing
at home now."

Senior Irawati Moerid Iskandar did not join the squad as she
did not improve enough.

"Irawati had said that she wanted to compete in the SEA Games.
She also realizes that she has already reached her peak," Sarwono
said.

Physics

Deddy said the male and female players have improved their
fitness by training in high-altitude town of Ambarawa, Central
Java, about 35 kilometers south of Semarang.

Sarwono said he was looking for foster parents for two young
talented players, Wukirasih and Febi Widhiyanto, so they could
compete in national and international events.

"They don't have rich parents, sponsors or clubs. I have
already met some people who want to finance them. I also want to
publish the names of these people, with their permission, to
encourage more rich people to help our talented players," he
said.

Sarwono complained that the association was being forced to
cancel some tournaments due to sponsorship difficulties.

"They had agreed to sponsor the tournaments but due to the
economic turmoil many companies have withdrawn from the tours,"
he said.

Some Governor's cup tournaments and the Danamon Indonesian
Open women's tournament are among the canceled events. (yan)