Name players come out for lure of big payday

Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

With a total of Rp 300 million (US$32,000) in prize money on offer, the Hemaviton Challenge 2005 tennis tournament has drawn several top ranked men's and women's players to compete later this month.

Number three men's singles player Febi Widhiyanto and number six woman Liza Andryani agreed on Monday that the prospect of a lucrative payday was part of the attraction to play the tournament, to be held from May 23-May 29 at the tennis courts in the Senayan sports complex, Central Jakarta.

"The big prize money (for a local event) has improved the image of the tournament. It will make the tournament more competitive," Febi said on Monday at a press conference.

The men's singles winner will receive Rp 17 million, while the champion in the women's singles gets Rp 14 million, higher than the usual amount up for grabs at local events.

In the 2005 Cigna Open held in February, the men's singles winner took home Rp 9.6 million and the women's singles champion won Rp 5.76 million.

Despite suffering from an injury to his right hand, Febi said he believed he had a chance to take the title.

Liza admitted that her game might be rusty because she had not played seriously for several months.

"But we get money even if we lose in the first round. But, of course, I don't want to lose in the first round," she said.

In the men's singles, number one Prima Simpatiaji, who won the Cigna Open, second ranked Suwandi, fourth ranked Sunu Wahyu Trijati and fifth-ranked veteran Bonit Wiryawan are also scheduled to compete.

For the women, number one Angelique Widjaja, who is still recovering from knee surgery, and number two Wynne Prakusya, who is committed to playing events abroad, will be missing.

But third ranked Ayu Fani Damayanti, fifth ranked Septi Mende, 10th ranked Romana Tedjakusuma and 12th ranked Maya Rosa have confirmed their participation.

Head of the organizing committee Yayuk Basuki said that the tournament would also feature junior events with a total prize of Rp 50 million.

The juniors will be divided into three age groups: under 10, under 12 and under 14.

"We expect some 400 tennis players will compete in the Hemaviton Challenge this year," the former top 20 women's singles player said.