Yayuk to get award at celebration gala

JAKARTA (JP): A performance-packed award presentation to be held tomorrow could be the most unforgettable moment in the career of Indonesia's best ever tennis player, as Yayuk Basuki celebrates both her 26th birthday and marks her retirement from the top flight.

Her admirers, ranging from businessmen to artists, will flock in the farewell party to pay tribute to the star, currently 33rd in the World Tennis Association rankings, at the Indosiar TV studio.

The organizers have asked renowned businessman Aburizal Bakrie and the chairman of Indonesian Tennis Association Sarwono Kusumaatmadja to speak at the occasion.

A talk show hosted by Wimar Witoelar, chief of the national team selectors, a fashion show by Ratih Sanggarwati and a performance by musician Ireng Maulana will add spice to the ceremony. Ireng has composed a song to be dedicated to the tennis star.

Yayuk, who started hitting a ball at the tender age of seven, turned pro in 1990. Renowned for her natural talent, she produced one of the world's most outstanding performances when she rocketed to world number 35 from 266 in 1991, thanks in part to her triumph in the Volvo Open in Pattaya, Thailand.

Her illustrious leap gave her the 1991 Tennis Magazine/Rolex Female Rookie of the Year award. She was also nominated the WTA's Most Impressive Newcomer that year.

Yayuk showed maturity beyond her age on the tennis court as she has never dropped out of the top 50 since then, a feat which has never been achieved by her male compatriots.

Wimbledon must be Yayuk's favorite venue; she reached the fourth round there four consecutive times from 1992.

During her pro career, Yayuk won seven titles, all in tier- four tournaments providing US$100,000 in prize money. She missed a chance to land her first tier-three tournament when she handed a walk-over win to American Linda Wild in the $400,000 Indonesia Open final last January on account of flu.

Yayuk's power game has seen off a number of big names. Anke Huber of Germany, Gabriela Sabatini of Argentina, Lindsay Davenport of the United States and Martina Hingis have all fallen to her.

Yayuk last reached a semifinal in the Advanta Championships, earlier this month, losing to Czech veteran Jana Novotna. (amd)