Slovenia wary about Jakarta humidity
Slovenia wary about Jakarta humidity
Moch. N. Kurniawan, Jakarta
The Slovenian women's tennis team coach says the hot, humid
Jakarta weather could be a deciding factor in its World Group
playoff of the Federation Cup against Indonesia.
"We might lose about 10 to 15 percent of our normal
performance levels because of the high temperature and humidity
in Jakarta," Boris Breskvar said during the team's practice
session at the Senayan tennis courts here on Wednesday.
Geophysics and Meteorology Agency (BMG) data puts the
temperature in Jakarta at between 25 and 32 degrees Celsius at
this time of year.
Meanwhile, the temperatures in Ljubljana, the capital of
Slovenia, ranged between 15 and 25 Celsius at this time of year,
according to Slovenia's environmental agency.
However, Breskvar said his team would still pose a tough
challenge to the acclimatized Indonesians.
"The game will be tight. I know about Indonesian players and
they know about us as well," said Breskvar, whose coaching
experience includes his partnership with Anke Huber, a former
top-ranked German tennis player.
He said the team had adapted well to the courts'
characteristics.
The training session saw Slovenia's top player, Tina Pisnik,
drilling forehand shots, with Breskvar shouting instructions from
the bench.
While Pisnik had difficulty returning the ball when her male
opponent attacked from the net, her serve was powerful.
Besides Pisnik, who is ranked 45 in the world, the visiting
team comprises Katerina Srebotnik ranked 61, Andreja Klepac
ranked 564 and non-ranked Tina Krizan.
The Indonesian team consists of Angelique "Angie" Widjaja,
ranked world No. 134, Wynne Prakusya ranked 309, Sandy Gumulya
ranked 427 and Liza Andriyani ranked 510.
The Indonesians turned up for their warm-up later in the day,
with Angie and Wynne, who have just arrived from their Wimbledon
tour, rehearsing their teamwork in the doubles against male
opponents.
Indonesia has secured a match-up against Slovenia in the
playoffs after emerging as the top team along with Thailand in
April's Asia-Oceania zone qualifying matches.
Saturday and Sunday's matches are scheduled to be aired live
by the state TVRI station.