RI-Malaysia Davis Cup tie to be held in KL
RI-Malaysia Davis Cup tie to be held in KL
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia will lose the home-court advantage in
its second round Davis Cup Asia Oceania Zone Group II match
against Malaysia in April, as the International Tennis Federation
(ITF) has named Kuala Lumpur to host the event.
Indonesian Tennis Association (Pelti) spokesman Benny Mailili
said on Thursday that although the association had sent a letter
to the ITF protesting the decision, the federation was not
expected to reverse itself.
"We have looked back in our files and realized that for no
reason Indonesia turned down an offer to host its Davis Cup match
against Malaysia in 1982 when the late Yono Sewoyo chaired
Pelti," Benny said.
A letter from ITF dated Nov. 19, 1999, and signed by Debbie
Banlett, asked Pelti officials to explain why Indonesia opted to
play in Kuala Lumpur instead of Jakarta in 1982.
Former Davis Cup team member Atet Wijono could not recall the
reason for the decision, only saying the players at that time
preferred competing abroad because they received more allowance
than when they competed at home.
Benny said the ITF had yet to respond to Pelti's letter
protesting the decision to hold this year's Davis Cup match in
Kuala Lumpur, but he assumed the federation would simply say it
was Malaysia's turn to host the event.
Indonesia reached the second round of the Davis Cup after
defeating the Philippines 4-1 in Manila from Feb. 4 to Feb. 6.
The Davis Cup team of Suwandi, Febi Widhiyanto, Hendri Susilo
Pramono and Edy Kusdaryanto will play Malaysia from April 7 to
April 9. The winner of the match will then face either Pakistan
or Chinese Taipei.
Benny said the Davis Cup team would not be at too much of a
disadvantage competing in Kuala Lumpur.
"I have seen a trend since the 1990s for our players to
usually win when they compete abroad and to usually lose when
playing at home.
"Perhaps it's because they don't have as much pressure abroad
as here," he said.
Suwandi said he would have no difficulties playing in Kuala
Lumpur. "I think it doesn't matter playing there. I'm ready for
the match."
Edy, however, regretted the ITF's decision. "I prefer to play
here because we get the support from the local fans. We are used
to the courts, the spectators and the weather.
"But for other players like Suwandi, I know that he is
uncomfortable playing here because our supporters sometimes make
rude comments to him," he said. (yan)