Veteran Yayuk courts triumph in twilight on tennis curcuit

BANGKOK (JP): It is always every athlete's dream to end their career on a high note, let alone with laurels that confirm their illustriousness.

Yayuk Basuki crowned herself the Asian Games women's tennis singles champion by beating home favorite Tamarine Tanasugarn 6- 4, 6-2 on Thursday as she bade a farewell to the sport which for years has brought her fame and accolades.

It was a long wait, however, for Yayuk to earn a title since winning the China Open in Beijing in 1994.

In terms of titles won, Yayuk has collected few, just six in singles and seven in doubles, during her eight-year career as a professional.

But Yayuk proves she deserves the credit notably on account of the list of her casualties ranked among the world's finest in women's tennis. They include Lindsay Davenport, Martina Hingis, now world numbers one and two, former U.S. Open champion Gabriela Sabatini and former French Open winner Iva Majoli.

Wimbledon has in particular seen Yayuk as one of the most consistent contenders. She reached the fourth round in giant- killing runs four times between 1992 and 1995 before becoming only the second Asian player to advance to the quarterfinals in 1997.

Yayuk deems the gold medal she won here a meaningful one despite the fact that the Asian Games tennis tournament is not part of the circuit she has participated in for eight years.

"I know the Asian Games is not a professional competition such as I am used to playing in, but winning a gold medal for my country gives me more pride," Yayuk said after the match.

A gold medal will earn Yayuk Rp 50 million (US$6,500) in cash bonus, but this is nothing compared to her long quest for the prestigious singles title. Yayuk has collected more than $1 million in earnings from the tennis circuit.

The victory extended Yayuk's successful tale at the Asian Games, having won the women's doubles crown she shared with Suzanna Anggarkusuma in 1986 and 1990 and the mixed doubles with Suharyadi, now her coach-husband, also in 1990.

Indonesia had not taken a gold medal in the tennis singles competition since Yustejo Tarik clinched the men's top honor in 1978.

When Yayuk says goodbye to the tennis circuit at the Australian Open in January, a lot of plans will come to her mind, including having a baby.

"We have thought about having a baby, but no more than one," said Suharyadi, whom Yayuk married in January 1994. (yan)