Indonesian tennis players lack foreign experience

Indonesian tennis players lack foreign experience

JAKARTA (JP): The lack of international experience is to blame for the failure of the country's tennis talents to reach the highest level, chairman of the Indonesian Tennis Association Sarwono Kusumaatmadja claims.

Sarwono said, during a breaking the fast meal yesterday, that national players always perform commendably when in the junior ranks, but when they turn 16, they fail to keep up with their foreign rivals.

"We are able only to produce good junior players in most sports, including tennis," he said.

"Foreign coaches acknowledge what we have done well with the juniors, but they then fall away," he said.

Sarwono said that coaches only teach the juniors how to play good tennis. "That is not enough. They need to know how to compete in international tournaments."

Sarwono said that Mark Philippoussis of Australia is an ideal example of a player who quickly leaped to the world's elite. "He was among the participants in satellite tournaments here a few years ago, but he is now a world-beating player," Sarwono said.

Philippoussis reached his first Grand Slam quarterfinal in the Australian Open last month by toppling then world number one Pete Sampras.

Sarwono said the association has been criticized for fielding young players in the Davis Cup Asia/Oceania qualifying tie against South Korea this week.

"The reason is that we don't have many options but to field those youngsters," he said.

Sarwono said that he would not be surprised if the South Koreans win the tie.

"They are much better than the Indonesian players," he said. "But remember, our players have an obligation to win."

Sarwono said that the home fans will serve as a big morale boost to the Indonesian team.

Secretary general of the association, Zainal Abidin, said that a businessman, who requested anonymity, had bought 1,000 through tickets, which costs Rp 10,000 (US$4.4) each.

Zainal, who is also the tournament director, said Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono also bought 100 daily tickets, which costs Rp 5,000 each, for students.

Meanwhile Indonesian coach Deddy Prasetyo said that he expected his players to keep their composure during the three-day match.

"I told them to keep relaxed while they are fighting to win the tie," he said.

Deddy said he relied on his first singles Suwandi to give Indonesia a morale boosting win on the opening day on Friday. "We should be at least 1-1 on the first day."

Members of the Indonesian Davis Cup team were also present at the gathering last night. Suwandi, Andrian Raturandang, Donny Susetyo and Eddy Kusdaryanto said that they were ready to battle it out.

"I'll do my best. Winning or losing is not a big deal," Suwandi said.

Eddy or Andrian have been nominated as the second singles but Deddy and team manager Wailan Walalangi will decide who gets the nod tomorrow, one hour before the draw.

"I'm ready to play second singles if my coach asks me to do so," said Andrian, who will make his Davis Cup debut. "Although we are considered underdogs, we are ready to give it our best."

Eddy expressed the same optimism as his fellow debutant. "I am used to playing both singles and doubles. If my coach decides to give either job, it's okay," he said.

Suwandi is the only player who looks certain to play singles and doubles so far.

The two singles of the two teams will lock horns on the opening day. The doubles will be played on Saturday. The tie will wind up on Sunday with the singles playing reversed matches. (05)