Peter aspires to be a top tennis player
Peter aspires to be a top tennis player
JAKARTA (JP): More and more Indonesian parents can afford to send their children abroad to study nowadays. But how many will agree to finance their children's choice of an elite sports program?
Sixteen-year-old Peter Handoyo is lucky that his parents understand his dream and even luckier that his parents can afford the tuition at Van der Meer Tennis University in South Carolina, USA.
"I really want to be a professional tennis player someday. My parents said it's OK with one condition that I have to continue my study," he said yesterday after winning his first international junior title.
Peter's parents, businessman Budiono Handoyo and Reniwati, pay US$6,500 for their youngest son's tuition every year plus $1,400 per month for living and tennis expenses.
Peter said that the financial strain usually occurs when he wants to take part in tournaments.
"I don't have problems with sponsors in the States but they only provide sports equipment. I need cash for the tours which cost a lot," he said.
Peter, who goes to school from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and practices tennis from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. said that he would not be able to study and practice tennis in Indonesia.
"I can't do both here. We have too many subjects in the school," he said. "My friends here usually quit school after they become an athlete."
Born on Aug. 21, 1979, Peter said that he was a lazy student while studying at St. Clara junior high school in Surabaya.
"The subjects were too difficult for me. Besides tennis is more interesting," he said.
"I only take five subjects in the States, mathematics, biology, history, English and ESL (English as a Second Language) because my English is poor."
Peter said that if he skips class in the States, his coach won't allow him to practice.
"We don't dare skip class. I think it's part of the discipline process," he said.
A fan of Pete Sampras, Peter, who has spent the last six months in the States, admits that school is also important for an athlete.
"Just in case I get hurt, I can still work to live. I don't want to be a coach," he said, adding that he's also interested in hotel management.
Peter, who likes to spend his weekends watching movies or going to the mall, started to play tennis when he was five.
"My father took me and my big brother Budi to the court and bought me a small racket," he said smiling.
When he was 14, he was coached by Iwan Soebagyo for about one and a half years before studying in South Carolina.
Peter said that even though he is studying abroad he's ready if the country needs him.
"Just call me and I'll come," he said.
Peter will defend East Java at the upcoming National Games in Jakarta this September.
"My coach designed a special program for me so I can still take part in Indonesia's tournaments," he said.
Peter said that Indonesia could also groom its juniors like they do in the States.
"The most important thing is discipline. Without it we can't succeed," he said.
Expressing his concern with the development of the national tennis program in Indonesia, Peter said, "In junior tournaments, we can beat foreign players, but something is wrong with the seniors.
"Maybe because they get too lazy to practice. As far as I know, intensive practice is the only way to get better," said the boy who's not interested in having a girlfriend at the moment because "I'm focusing on tennis". (05)