Young Dea has high ambitions

Young Dea has high ambitions

JAKARTA (JP): With Indonesian tennis still relying heavily on
veteran women's player Yayuk Basuki for international accolades,
it is time for younger players to shine in overseas tournaments.

Dea Sumantri is one of the country's rising tennis hopes. The
Bandung-based player, who is ranked ninth nationally and 53rd in
the world junior singles, won the women's doubles event at the
2001 Cigna Open Colors of Life on Friday with practice partner
Angelique Widjaja.

The pair also advanced to the quarterfinals of the girls
doubles event at the Australia Open Junior Championships, but Dea
was stopped in the first round of the single's event.

Dea said being a top tennis player has been her dream since
childhood. She learned tennis from her father Max Sumantri and
mother Wiwi Wijayanti.

"My parents took me to the tennis court when I was still a
toddler. I saw them playing and I began to love the sport. Then I
competed in various junior tournaments and won most of them, so I
begin to love the game even more," she said on Friday.

Dea, who was born in Bandung on Jan. 20, 1983, began playing
tennis seriously when she was 6 and took part in her first junior
competition at the age of 9.

"I have partnered Angie (Angelique Widjaja) since I started to
compete in tournaments," said the youngest of four siblings and
the only girl.

Dea's career is now being supervised by businesswoman Martina
Wijaya, who is the Indonesian Tennis Association's head of
development, promotions and international relations. Dea lives in
Martina's house in Ragunan, South Jakarta.

She practices with veteran players Wynne Prakusya and Romana
Tedjakusuma and top men's player Suwandi. Dea has been coached by
former national player Suharyadi, who is Yayuk's husband.

"I hope one day I can equal Mbak Yayuk's achievements. I hope
I can go as far as reaching the world number one, but I realize
it requires hard work. Women's tennis is very competitive
nowadays but I'm sure there is a way to reach the top."

"Right now, I am only targeting cracking the 100s or 200s of
the world senior rankings within three years."

Dea said she does not feel alone in Jakarta because she is
accustomed to traveling abroad on her own.

"When competing in international events, I used to go by
myself. My parents never accompany me. I also try to make friends
with lots of people so I will not feel sad when I am alone," she
said.

Dea said Martina has taught her to be responsible with her
finances.

"If I win prize money, Ibu Martina gets 80 percent while I
keep 20 percent of the total amount. She helps finance my
transportation and accommodation."

"But first of all, I have to make a budget proposal for my
overseas tournaments and she records it and treats me as if I am
in debt. I have to repay the money but she is very flexible about
it."

Dea also enjoys listening to music and watching movies in her
spare time, which she has precious little of. After her draining
daily practice sessions, she has school lessons with a private
teacher from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. (ivy)