RI Davis Cup team to warm up in two Japanese tournaments

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Davis Cup team will participate in two Japanese tennis tournaments as part of its preparations for a second-round playoff against South Korea next month.

"The team will compete in the Japanese Future's second leg, in Shirako from March 19 to March 25, and the third leg in Sawa from March 26 until April 1," Indonesian Tennis Association (Pelti) spokesman Benny Mailili told reporters on Friday.

"The team will then travel to Seoul where they will acclimatize before the second-round Davis Cup playoff match from April 6 to April 8."

The team -- consisting of non-playing captain Tintus Arianto Wibowo, Andrian Raturandang, Bonit Wiryawan and Sulistyo Wibowo -- departed for Japan on Friday evening.

"Dede Suhendar Dinata will also compete in the Japanese Futures at his own expense. Meanwhile another Davis Cup team member, Suwandi, will join the team in Seoul after completing his competition schedule in New Zealand and the Australian Challenger tournaments," Benny said.

"Pelti decided not to include a substitute player in the team because we don't have any available players," he added.

In the first round played, Indonesia was beaten 3-2 by Uzbekistan. Indonesia must win its match against South Korea to remain in the first group, otherwise it must win against New Zealand in the third playoff round.

Pelti blamed the defeat on Hendri Susilo Pramono's decision to withdraw from the Davis Cup team following bad treatment he allegedly received from Pelti's official in charge of athlete development, Sudjiono Timan.

"If only Hendri had not withdrawn from the team, I'm sure we could have beaten Uzbekistan. It's a kind of punishment (not to include him in the team playing Korea) for his defiant action," said Benny.

"But Pelti decided not to impose an official written sanction on him because we consider it a personal problem between Hendri and Ujin (Sudjiono's nickname)."

"Pelti decided not to include Hendri in next month's match because his decision (to withdraw from the team) resulted in our defeat by Uzbekistan, which affected Pelti as a whole."

When asked whether Hendri would be included in the national team again, Benny said that it would depend on Hendri.

"The punishment did not include Hendri's removal from the training center for the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games. I do not expect that he will be punished long-term."

"If he can show improved discipline and teamwork, Pelti will surely field him in the Games. It's up to him."

Separately, Hendri told The Jakarta Post that he has yet to hear about the matter from Pelti.

"I have never heard about the punishment. Pelti never informed me. All I got was a letter informing that it has received and understood my letter confirming my dispute with Sudjiono.

Hendri said he would leave it up to the public to judge his actions.

"It's up to Pelti to field me if it needs me. Besides, I'll let the public see the problem clearly."

Hendri said he preferred to concentrate on his preparations for competition in the German league, where he and Febi Widhiyanto are scheduled to commence touring on April 20. (nvn)