Pelti confident of romping home with five tennis golds
Pelti confident of romping home with five tennis golds
By Primastuti Handayani
JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Tennis Association (Pelti) is
optimistic about its chances to bag five golds at the 20th
Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Brunei Darussalam next month.
Two years ago, the underdog Indonesian women's squad, without
former top player Yayuk Basuki, managed to upset the hot favorite
Thailand with its star player Tamarine Tanasugarn on the Senayan
clay courts. Top Indonesian men's doubles Sulistyo Wibowo and
Bonit Wiryawan also managed to claim the title of best duo in the
region. The men's team unexpectedly earned the gold after a 10-
year wait.
This year, the women's team will attempt to earn three golds
in the singles, doubles and team event, while the men's team will
defend its gold in the team event and the doubles.
With Romana Tedjakusuma in the lineup, Wynne Prakusya, Liza
Andriyani and Wukirasih Sawondari are confident about meeting
Thailand, especially as Tanasugarn, who is working on her world
ranking, will miss the Games.
Executive training director Martina Wijaya said she was
heartened by Thailand's announcement not to field its best
players.
"It means our chances are getting better for winning three
golds. I'm not surprised that Tamarine will miss the Games. I
heard the news from the Thailand Tennis Federation chairman some
time ago," she said.
Two years ago, Liza Andriyani beat Tanasugarn in the team
event, while Wukirasih defeated her in the individual event.
Women's team coach Suharyadi was also optimistic for her
players.
"Without Tamarine, I think we can take all three golds in the
women's sector," he said.
Suharyadi plans to field Wynne and Romana as the singles in
the biennial event to be held from Aug. 7 to Aug. 15.
"They are both highly motivated, especially Romana, who has
maintained her condition during her studies in the United States
because she keeps competing in the NCAA," said Suharyadi, husband
of Yayuk.
The men's squad, however, lacks their team members'
experience. Only Suwandi has attended a SEA Games. He won the
1993 Games gold at the age of 14. The other three members of the
team -- Febi Widhiyanto, Hendri Susilo Pramono and Yusmawan Fahmi
-- are newcomers to the event.
Without defending champions Bonit and Sulistyo, it will be
hard for the second best duo of Febi and Hendri to regain the
gold.
"It will be difficult for them both to defeat brothers
Paradorn and Narathorn Srichaphan of Thailand as they are the
1998 Asian Games doubles champions. But we must not forget that
Paradorn crashed in the first round of the future tournament here
early this month," said men's coach Tintus Arianto Wibowo.
Paradorn, who reached the second round of Wimbledon before
bowing out to Yevgeny Kavelnikof, lost to little-known qualifier
Rik dde Voest of South Africa in the future tournament.
Tintus will most likely field Suwandi and Febi in the singles.
It could be very risky to field high-tempered Yusmawan in a team
event.
The Filipino team of Joseph Lizardo and Bryan Juinio will also
pose a threat as they beat the Indonesia Davis Cup team here on
the rebound ace court in April.
Despite the strength of the opposition, Hendri was optimistic
about his Games' prospects.
"Although the Indonesian Tennis Association doesn't set us any
targets, we must work hard to win the gold," he said.
Player preparation, however, has not been as solid as was the
case two years ago; the players only had two future tournaments
here. In a final training session to boost their competitive
spirit, team members are competing in the Governor Cup in
Bandung.
Tennis team members
Men's: Suwandi, Yusmawan Fahmi, Febi Widhiyanto, Hendri Susilo
Pramono
Women's: Romana Tedjakusuma, Wynne Prakusya, Wukirasih Sawondari,
Liza Andriyani