Veteran Yayuk courts triumph in twilight on tennis curcuit
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)