KUCHING: The Sarawak Lawn Tennis Association’s (SLTA) president Datuk Patrick Liew has urged junior tennis players to remember Kuching when they become professional players competing at professional level.
“I can see today we will witness some of the top players to represent the Asian region for the Junior Championships Wimbledon 2024 Tournament in July.
“So, SLTA is very honoured to host all these events; in the past we have seen top players during their junior time here,” he said in his speech at the opening ceremony of 2024 ITF Asia 14 & Under Development Championship Finals at the Sarawak Lawn Tennis Association here today.
He said that in 2005, Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios and likewise Ashleigh Batty, former Australian tennis player, had also played at SLTA courts.
“They (top players) have played tournaments in SLTA like Nick Kyrgios and Ash Batty and many other grand slam players have played here in Kuching before,” he said.
In addition, Liew advised players to practise good sportsmanship throughout the tournament and play to their best of abilities.
“This will be a good memory for all of you, after today, this week in SLTA, next time when you become professional players in the professional circuit.
“Please remember SLTA as one of your better grounds,” he said.
Among those present at the opening ceremony were Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Kuching, Xing Wei Ping and International Tennis Federation (ITF) representative Jonathan Stubbs.
The 2024 ITF Asia 14 & Under Development Championship Finals from today till April 20 is welcoming 68 players, including 32 girls from 22 countries.
Competing countries are China, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Thailand, Uzbekistan, Syria, Turkmenistan, Iran, Maldives, Yemen and Sri Lanka and Vietnam.
Each country is fielding two boys and two girls and the top two players will be selected to play in competitions in Wimbledon.
