National Tennis Body to hold selection meet

JAKARTA (JP): The National Tennis Body of the Indonesia Tennis Association has a new program in which it will select the country's best players as its backbone in international events.

Chairman of the board, Wimar Witoelar, said yesterday that after the national men's team's losses to South Korea and China in the Davis Cup match in February and March, the body will need to work hard at the program. Indonesia continued its declining form when its women's squad was beaten 5-0 by Belgium in the Federation Cup last month.

"The body plans to hold the men's tournament in June. But we are trying to keep the same women's team in the match against Switzerland in the Federation Cup match in July because we don't have much time to change the formation," Wimar said yesterday.

Benny Mailili, a member of the body and a tennis observer, said that the tournament will be participated in by the best 16 national male and female players. The playoffs will be staged every six months.

The 16 players will be divided into four groups, each consisting of four players. The winner of each group will oppose each other to team up in the best national team. Runners-up of the tournament will make up the second best group.

Tennis buffs yesterday suggested that the body invites Indonesia's tennis queen Yayuk Basuki and Benny Wijaya to take part in the tournament. Benny is now playing for a Taiwan club.

Yayuk's appearance could boost juniors motivation to beat her in the tournament. While Benny, who is still considered Indonesia's best player, will be a challenge for the juniors to check their skills in the tournament.

Meanwhile, Wimar said that the Indonesian Fed Cup team will oppose Switzerland here in July. Indonesia lost 0-5 to Belgium two weeks ago here.

"I think Switzerland is much better than Belgium, because it has Martina Hingis as its first singles," he said.

Wimar said that the body plans to send three members of the national team -- Romana Tedjakusuma, Liza Andriyani and Wynne Prakusya -- for an overseas stint in Czechoslovakia.

Romana, who studies in Louisiana, USA, returned to the States a day after last month's match. Liza is at the Van der Meer tennis camp in South Carolina and Wynne is continuing her tennis training in Brno, Czechkoslovakia.

"It's still a suggestion. I have to consult coach Suharyadi first. But I think it's the best idea because Suharyadi will accompany Yayuk for several tournaments in Europe before Wimbledon," he said. (yan)