Indonesia's Yayuk to miss Fed Cup

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's top woman tennis player, Yayuk Basuki, has decided not to join her country's Federation Cup team for its World Group Two tie against Italy from July 12 to July 13.

In a letter to the Indonesian Lawn Tennis Association (Pelti) on Wednesday, she apologized for not being able to compete in the tie.

"I regretfully will not be able to join the Indonesian squad that will meet Italy, but I am sure my junior players will be able to do their best for the country," she said.

Yayuk said the Federation Cup was a good arena for junior players as part of their preparation for the coming Southeast Asian Games here in October.

The association's deputy secretary general, Subianto, said Yayuk's letter did not say why she could not compete.

He said the association's chairman, Sarwono Kusumaatmadja, had replied to Yayuk's letter and said the association supported her decision.

Subianto said Sarwono supported Yayuk's determination to become one of the world's top 20 tennis players.

Indonesia's Federation Cup team is Liza Andriyani, Wynne Prakusya and Wukirasih Sawondari.

They said they were ready for the Italians even if Yayuk was not in the team.

Liza Andriyani, who is ranked 336 in the world, will probably be fielded as first singles player.

Liza and Wynne joined the team yesterday after taking part in the Satellite Championship and Wimbledon Junior championships.

Yayuk is ranked 22nd in the world.

Yayuk created history July 1 by becoming the first Indonesian to reach the Wimbledon quarterfinals when she beat Canadian Patricia Hy-Boulais 6-0 7-6 (7-2) in the fourth round.

She lost to Czech Jana Novotna 6-3 6-3 in the quarterfinals.

Yayuk won Rp 151 million (US$62,000) for her Wimbledon performance. (03)