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)