Withdrawals hit RI Fed Cup tennis team

Withdrawals hit RI Fed Cup tennis team

JAKARTA (JP): A mass withdrawal of players has dealt a big
blow to Indonesia's hopes of entering the world's elite group in
the Federation Cup women's tennis team championship.

Eddy Katimansah, a senior official at the Indonesian Tennis
Association, said yesterday that six players, including national
number two Romana Tedjakusuma and her 1995 FedCup teammate Mimma
Chernovita, had refused offers to try out for the team.

Romana, former FedCup member Natalia Soetrisno and Maria
Veronica Widyadarma wrote rejection letters stating they would
not participate because of school commitments in the United
States.

Mimma and junior players Wukirasih Sawondari and Marieke
Gunawan opted out of the national team because they want to
concentrate on the National Games here in September.

World number 38 Yayuk Basuki, Enny Sulistyowati, Lisa
Andriyani and Agustin Limanto were also nominated for the
national FedCup team. Wynne Prakusya was added to the list at the
last minute after she nominated herself.

Indonesia will host Belgium in the FedCup group one first-
rounder at the Senayan tennis indoor stadium on April 19 and 20.
World number 25 Sabine Appelmans looks certain to lead favorite
Belgium in the two-day match.

"Their refusal is not definite yet. We will discuss the matter
in a meeting this weekend," Eddy said. The association expects to
decide how to approach the six players during the meeting led by
chairman Sarwono Kusumaatmadja.

Eddy played down the pullout, saying it happens everywhere.
"They are our children who do no wrong if they refuse our offers.
We just need to bargain," Eddy said.

The association usually gives FedCup regulars Yayuk and Romana
the choice of whether to join the try outs. They played both
singles and doubles in memorable matches against Argentina here
last year. Yayuk upset Gabriela Sabatini, but it was not enough
to stop Argentina, which wrapped up the duel 3-2.

Mimma and Enny were named FedCup team members last year, but
did not play in Indonesia-Argentina match.

The International Tennis Federation applied the Davis Cup
format to the FedCup last year. In the past, the federation
restricted the FedCup to the world's best 32 teams. They played a
tournament for the trophy.

A plan to restructure the association's management will also
be discussed at this weekend's meeting. Sarwono is expected to
appoint Wimar Witoelar, an outsider, to improve the management of
the association's national team. (amd)