TFC Brings Tennis to Battambang

Welcome to the TFC Battambang!

 

Big thanks to Cambodia Airports and the ITF!

The staff at TFC are very excited to announce that 2 schools in Battambang have been added to the family! This would not be possible without the help of Coach Irene Rehberger Bescos, who will act as the residing coach in Battambang. Having only been in the country for less than 3 months, we are very lucky to have found such a great person to run the tennis programs in the province of Battambang.

 

Kim Sua, lost his leg to a tumor. Crutch not holding him back one bit!

Just yesterday, Rithi Tep, Braen Aneiros, Vincent Oliver, and Phalkun Mam went to visit the former top 400 WTA player in her first week of action! The first school we visited, La Paloma, was a complete eye opener for us. The school is strictly for the disabled. Many of the students were born with deficient limbs, which drastically affects their mobility, some are even victims of accidents, accidents of which do not exclude stepping on land mines. The most recent land mine accident occurred only 3 weeks ago to a young teenage boy, who was actually present yesterday for the first time this week. Regardless of their disability, it did not hold them back. Whether in a wheelchair, or on crutches, they played with the same spirit of any player infatuated with the game of tennis. Each point, win or lose, was met by ooohhh's and aaahhh's by the others on the sidelines of the concrete court. The atmosphere surrounding the court not so very different than that of a grand slam final :)

It's amazing, in just their 3rd lesson, contact so fresh and so clean!

The second school we visited yesterday would take us to a small Parish founded by a bishop who arrived 30 years ago. Tanhen, situated about 20 minutes in a village just outside Battambang, across dirt roads, small creeks and some of the most beautiful rice fields I've ever seen in a setting so isolated and peaceful. Once on court we would find anything but peace and quiet. It was hard to rival our very own excitement, but the kids managed to do it with ease. We were met by roughly 20 kids bouncing up and down, each one itching at a chance to have a go at the mini Reds! Irene, clearly very good at what she does, ordered them into 2 lines, one hitting forehands, one backhands, and the rest is history!

The kids working on their hand-eye!

In our efforts at the TFC to spread this disease for tennis, it brings us so much joy to see these kids picking up balls and rackets for the very first time, and on top of that to see them truly enjoy themselves on whatever we are able to piece together to call a court. We couldn't have a more fulfilling job! With continued efforts we will push, and with the discovery of great coaches such as Irene, growth for the sport of tennis, in this Kingdom, is inevitable. 

Mapito! Nice shirt! He even danced it for us!

Mony lunging for a ball in the corner! He's a great role model for the rest.

The no look! I swear we didn't teach him And1 Tennis, he's just a natural!

Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Group III Review

Late Sunday night we arrived in Dubai. Knowing what was best for us, we made it to bed as early as possible to be ready for the next day and upcoming week. It was not going to be an easy one.

Monday and Tuesday were our final days to practice before matches began on Wednesday for Group III. Monday morning the team drilled and played out some doubles points, followed by singles practice sets in the afternoon. Group IV was actually held at the same venue as us, the Aviation Tennis Club, and had already started play, so we were able to watch some matches after our afternoon practice on Monday. With 18 countries on site it was a bonus to catch up with other players we knew going into the tournament. On Tuesday the team played a practice set of doubles and awaited the pools to be drawn. Cambodia fell in Pool B, alongside Vietnam, United Arab Emirates, and Pacific Oceania. Vietnam would be our very first match. 

With Pannhara still acclimating to the humidity in Dubai, the coach and captain chose to play his older brother Phalkun first at 2 singles. Confidence did not turn out to be enough for the first time Davis Cupper as he went down to a young and fitter Thien Nguyen. Hope was not lost since we had yet to start the #1 singles where Kenny Bun would anchor the singles. In a match that was well fought by Kenny, it just wasn't quite good enough to overcome Do Minh Quan who edged out Kenny 7-5 in the 2nd. After a change of court, Vietnam made quick work of the Mam brothers, targeting Phalkun who looked to be dealing with nerves in his first Davis Cup appearance. Dealing with an opponent of a different nature, Samneang Long was sidelined for the entirety of the tournament, coming down with chicken pox. 

Following Cambodia's 3-0 loss to Vietnam was their match against the host team, UAE. As the host team it was only given that it would not just be a battle against our opponents, but their diehard supporters as well. Pannhara played the first singles match at #2 and made a very valiant effort. In the 3rd set after having been laid low twice on the court due to cramps he retired and left the court slowly but with head held high. Down 0-1, it would be Kenny's turn to take the court. Down a set and 4-2, things did not look good, but Kenny kept fighting all the same and would turn the match around for a comeback victory! With a fired up Kenny, playing alongside Phalkun who appeared to be a lot more relaxed, they got the doubles point and clinched the first win for the country. 

On Friday, the team faced Pacific Oceania. Testing Pannhara at 2 singles turned out to be a good decision, with him taking the match 2 and 2 in no time. Kenny was up next against a 42yr old opponent. Age was nonexistent in the beginning of the match which was heading in favor of Pacific Oceania, but for the 2nd day in a row Kenny was able to produce his best tennis when needed, closing out the final set 6-0 and clinching the win, the 2nd win for the country and a win that would ensure our spot in Group III for 2014. 

Play was not yet over. Finishing 2nd in our pool allowed us to move on to the playoff pool where we would play against the top 2 finishers in Pool A, Hong Kong and Malaysia. Against Hong Kong Pannhara would lose a close 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 match in the 2 singles spot. Against Philip King, brother of Vania King, Kenny went down in straights, valiantly fighting to stay alive in the 2nd. Resting their top players, Kenny and Phalkun faced a pair of youngsters and were able to capitalize on their inexperience in a 3 set win. Malaysia would be our next and final opponent of the tournament, with the match deciding who would finish 3rd and 4th. All 3 matches were 3 setters, unfortunately none of which went our way. The team finished at 1 in the morning, the very last match to wrap up the tournament. 

The depth of Group III turned out to be a lot deeper than expected. We all felt like we could have finished 1st or last, but in actuality the team finished 4th out of 8 teams, a finish that allowed us to hold our heads high not because of what place we ended up, but because of how we fought to make it happen. 

None of this would have been possible without the help of our captain, who was with us on court to the very end. Coach Braen Aneiros was in the stands making sure we utilised the many things we worked on in practice the many weeks leading up to the tournament. 

Also, a very big thanks to Sandrine Bury and her mother, our Goodwill Ambassador and her sister Kiko, Christina Ingmire, formerly with the TFC and still so in our hearts, Chea Pov, one of the national coaches, and Lavie Sak, dedicated supporter of all things TFC and mini tennis master. 

The Team

32nd Widjojo Soejono International Junior Tennis Championships

WEEK 2 IN SURABAYA



We have landed in beautiful Surabaya. After our last hotel in Jakarta, the Oval Hotel here in Surabaya is pretty beautiful as well. Out of last week's tournament on Thursday, we tried to get a flight over to Surabaya on Friday, but because of a major holiday coming up there were no seats! Check in was on Saturday before 6 pm, and our flight wasn't until 6:10! So we called to sign in and let them know that we were coming!

View from our room at the Oval Hotel.

Sunday morning we arrived at the Makodam V Brawijaya Tennis Facility ready to go. Dimong's opponent would be Pinasatria Yoga of Indonesia. At the beginning of the match things were pretty lopsided in Dimong's favor. Pinasatria would find a rhythm, but before we knew it Dimong ran away with the first 6-3. Pinasatria's errors would cost him the 2nd set and the match, Dimong winning 6-3 6-2. Dimong would face a 14 year old Indonesian next, Daffa Irianto.

Dimong preparing for his 1st round quali match.

Thinking we would have enough time to rest in between his morning match and his next round was right, and because of long matches we actually ended waiting longer than expected. When it was match time Dimong was a little slow to start, but was able to overpower his opponent in the first set, 6-4. The 2nd set was quite a rollercoaster with breaks coming and going, neither opponent seeming to get enough momentum to close out the set. With the sunlight waning, Dimong's match was actually moved at 4 all, to a court with better lighting. Everyone still at the site was gathered around Dimong's court since they were the last match on for the day. Even under the dim lights and pressure from the loud cheers for his opponent, Dimong was able to battle to win the next two games, the final score, 6-4 6-4.

Dimong warming up for his match.

Dimong's Monday morning opponent would be Hao Sheng Koay of Malaysia. Errors off the forehand side from Koay allowed Dimong to go up 2-0, but was unfortunately broken in the next game, putting them back on serve. Serving well, and playing shots to his opponent's forehand would work out okay in the the next two games where both players held, Dimong up 3-2. At this point is where Hao's serve would let loose. With two aces in the game Hao was able to hold quite easily. I could tell Dimong felt a little pressure in the next to hold, not allowing himself to play as freely as he would like - he was broken. Down a break 3-4, Hao continued to bomb service winner after service winner against Dimong, holding quite easily. A bit tentative on his serve still, Dimong couldn't put quite enough pressure on Hao's return, losing the game and set 6-3.

The 2nd set started out with holds, and were on serve at 2-1. Noticing that Dimong had some trouble with high balls to either side, Hao began to moonball religiously. Pushing him deep back into the court and waiting for the short ball to pound his forehand won Hao the break. Playing a little more aggressive in Hao's service game, Dimong tried to make it tougher for his opponent to get it up high consistently, and this worked out to result in another break, on serve with Dimong down 2-3. Sticking to his plan regardless of the last game, Hao frustrated Dimong with high ball after high ball and went up 5-2 in a hurry. In Dimong's service game, Hao began to change his game, wanting maybe to close out the match quickly. This caused Hao to start missing, especially on the forehand side which had been so stable for the last set and a half. Dimong holds. Down 5-3, the errors keep coming from Hao and Dimong goes up 40-15. Unreturnable serve, 40-30. Dimong crushes the first short ball he gets, and Hao shanks it up into the air. Thinking the ball was out, Dimong doesn't play the ball, only to hear silence. The umpire didn't call the ball out and Dimong desperately tries to slice it back but was without success. Deuce. Service winner, ad Hao. Dimong clips the tape on a backhand and the match is over, 6-3, 6-3 Hao Sheng Koay. Though it was his most complete match of the two tournaments it would not be quite good enough to make it to the main draw. Let's hope for success in the doubles
draw!

Dimong and I eating at Sushi Hana inside Town Square Surabaya!

SECOND LIFE

Well, let me just say that Dimong is now into the round of 16's in the main draw of singles. How you might ask is he in the main draw after losing in the last round of qualifying!? He was chosen as a lucky loser, and played his match 15 minutes after being selected. For not knowing he would have a match Dimong played better tennis than in his last match to win 6-3 6-3. Next up for Dimong would be the 5th seed, Widianto, the 2nd highest Indonesian seed of the tournament. Dimong would take the first in a tiebreak, winning it 7-1! On serve at 4-3, he was broken twice in a row to lose the set 6-4. Dimong's most commendable quality in the 3rd set was his ability to stay positive, which led him to a 6-3 win in the 3rd set for the match and his first ITF point! Some of you may not know, but this might very well be the last junior ITF tournament of his life! Tomorrow morning Dimong will face off against a player who ended his tournament last week in Jakarta, Muhammad Anshori. Let's hope for a different result this time! And Dimong won his first round doubles match with Jack Cheal of Great Britain, 6-4 6-1. Keep rolling Dimong!

 Coach and player after the 3 set battle/win against Widianto!

Unfortunately Dimong would not have enough gas in the tank for Muhammad Anshori losing 6-2 6-0. Up again against Anshori in doubles, Dimong and partner Jack Cheal would fall short 6-1 6-1. It was a rough two weeks, but regardless of his final result, there were definitely glimpses of greatness and hopefully this young player will realize that his best is yet to come. Thanks for reading!

Jakarta International ITF Tournament

 JAKARTA INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR ITF CHAMPIONSHIPS 

With matches starting early Tuesday morning, October 8th, I was notified by one of the tournament officials that the draw would be posted online at 7pm Monday night, just a few hours away I thought. 8pm, no draw. 9pm, no draw. 10pm? You guessed it, still no draw. Dimong was comfortable and content in his bed watching Dark Knight as I browsed and strained my eyes making sure I covered every inch of the website. At 11pm I had to make a call to the tournament director. After two unsuccessful tries I was like F this $h!+, I'm going to bed.

I had to get up early the next day so we could prepare properly for his match. I tried the tournament director at 6am  and he answered! Dimong's match time was at 9am. After a quick breakfast we were out of the hotel and headed towards Pusat Tenis Kemayoran for warm-up.

Matched up against Farras Berta of Indonesia, Dimong would prove too strong for the lanky lefty, beating him 6-0 6-1 in about 45 minutes. We'll do some scouting, sign up for doubles, and head out for the day. Get ready for Day 2!

Day II at the Jakarta International

A couple loose errors off the ground and a double fault spurs an early break for the 14th seed. A tough hold, but still a hold, puts Anshori up 2-0. More of the same in his service games and clutch serving by the 16yr old and Dimong yields the first set at love.

Serving first in the set, Dimong was able to hold after 3 deuces, earning him his first lead and game in the match. Easy hold by Anshori and the 2nd is tied at 1-1. In his next service game, double faults continue to haunt him resulting in a break. In the next game Dimong seemed to be finding a groove as they had long exchanges but he still was not able to execute enough for a break. Cutting down his errors allowed him to hold the next game putting him at 2-3 in the 2nd. Loose errors and good depth from Demon proved too much pressure, especially when targeting the backhand -- Dimong breaks for 3 all. With solid serving he holds comfortably to make it 4-3, on serve. Being a little over-aggressive loses him the next game but wins him his serve making it 5-4. Anshori fights for a tough hold. dimong goes down early in his service game and isn't able to recover, now allowing Anahori a chance to serve for the match. Not making his opponent earn his points enough, the set over and match finish at 6-0, 7-5 in favor of the Indonesian. The day was not quite over with doubles left in the afternoon.

Partnering with Stefan Vujic from Australia, their slow start, going down 1-5, would not discourage them as they fought their way back to a first set win at 7-5! The first-time duo would keep that momentum, rolling their way to a straight set victory over a pair of young Indonesian players, 7-5, 6-1!

The next day the duo would lose a close 4 and 4 match. An untimely break by their Indonesian opponents cost them the first, and almost identically in the 2nd, just one break a set proved enough for the Indonesian team. Dimong continues play in Surabaya next week, thanks for following!

Pat Cash Visits the Kingdom

Down to earth, humble, funny, and chockablock full of tennis knowledge, are just a few characteristics to describe Pat Cash. On a private visit to Cambodia, with very minor work intentions, Pat arrived in Phnom Penh Sunday around 4:30 in the afternoon and was back on the plane Tuesday morning at 11:00. However short of a trip this may have been, the Tennis Federation of Cambodia made sure that the Australian tennis legend had his required fill of the comings and goings of our growing tennis program.

                                            The mini-tennis court we set up atop of Naga!

With his flight delayed by 15 minutes, his late arrival to Pochentong Airport had the TFC staff on their toes at Nagaworld Casino, where we were prepping the location for a little bit of rooftop mini-tennis. Not knowing if the weather would hold up while we were waiting for him at the casino, we made sure that we had a backup plan in case of rain. Luckily enough, we were blessed with dry weather and the show went on atop the roof where Pat Cash took on 4 or 5 hungry juniors looking to knock a few against the former Wimbledon Champion. After the mini-tennis and many autographed pictures and white and black checkered headbands, some of the staff along with select sponsors and friends of the federation were able to share a few words as well as memories with Pat over a very nice dinner at Nagaworld.

                                           A few kids at Koh Krabei with some new shirts!

Monday was a very busy day because we would take Pat on a tour of a few schools currently running STI programs. As some of you may already know, many of these schools contain children that possess next to nothing, and to this Pat can confirm after seeing it firsthand. Many of these kids play without shoes, and even without clean shirts, but one thing they do play with that is so rare to find is an unconditional passion for the game. As Pat moved them from side to side they shuffled back and forth and up and down atop the dirt of Cambodia, which may have truer bounces than even Roland Garros! After visiting the school in Koh Krabei we trekked back and across the Mekong using a ferry. Not sure if it would make it across with 20 people, 5 motos and 10 passenger van we along with Pat were ready to swim! The second school along the outskirts of Phnom Penh was much of the same - the passion still there.

                                                  

                                        Right after we crossed the Mekong on a makeshift ferry!

By 11:30 we were back into the city, and headed towards the National Training Centre where Pat would have a mini-exhibition practice with Cambodian Tennis Legend, Yi Sarun. Outfitted in a killing fields to tennis court t-shirt and what I am pretty sure are shorts from his Davis Cup playing days in the 70’s, the 69 year old Khmer Rouge survivor showed great poise and great control for his old age. Able to stay in the rallies with Pat Cash, Yi Sarun returned ball after ball to all our surprise. Next up, it was the National Team’s turn to hit a few with the honored guest, who was kind enough to share some technical advice that only someone who’s been there and done that could lend. A quick bite to eat during a casual press conference at the clubhouse of the Cambodian Country Club and we were on our way to the coastal city of Kep to visit 2 more schools under TFC watch!

                                       

                                                Pat Cash with Davis Cup Captain and team!

Patiently waiting for Pat to get there were around 15 young boys and girls all sporting a respectful but different version of his checkered black and white headband! It was quite a sight to see. Through some light sprinkles, Pat and the kids played on until we had to leave for our final school of the day. The last school on our schedule was Aspeca. The kids made a welcome gauntlet for the van and though the last light of day was giving way, a select few played their hearts out against Pat and one another until the dark consumed vision of the ball. Though we lost the light, the flashes from pictures being taken revealed big smiles as Pat signed off what he had left of his photos and various autographed memorabilia. 

It was a real blessing to have Pat visit Cambodia. During his short stay we made sure that he saw a good chunk of how we operate. I hope we impressed! He definitely expressed interest in returning to the country so that he may visit the sights and take in a little more of the culture which has endured so much pain and suffering but has rebounded from those very atrocities, making it unique, very much like our federation.