3 days ago
Leong tennis siblings' inclusion set to boost Sea Games hopes
KUALA LUMPUR: Tennis Malaysia (TM) heaved a sigh of relief after securing the services of top players Mitsuki and Shihomi Leong for the upcoming Thailand Sea Games (Dec 9-20).
TM vice president Datuk Seri Farid Ridzuan said the siblings' inclusion in the squad will substantially boost Malaysia's medal chances, especially in the men's events.
It was previously unknown whether the duo, who are now both full-time professionals, would commit to playing the biennial games as they are touring constantly.
Mitsuki and Shihomi did not compete in this year's Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup competitions.
"Alhamdulillah, they have agreed to compete at the Sea Games which is incredibly exciting for us," said Farid when met recently.
"Mitsuki's inclusion will significantly strengthen our men's team and will allow us to give other nations a good fight.
"It boosts our medal chances as Mitsuki is one of the highest-ranked Southeast Asian players in the ATP rankings.
"We hope the men's team will be able to win (at least) a silver medal, on paper it is a realistic goal.
"Our men's team have also been in good form as they showed during the recent Davis Cup and we hope that they will be able to build on that performance.
"Our women's team is also strong and Shihomi has been in good form recently. The women's competition is, however, more competitive as the Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand all have WTA ranked players."
TM have shortlisted Mitsuki, Koay Hao Sheng, Leroy Yong, Imran Hazli and Darrshan Kumar for the men's squad while Shihomi, Elsa Wan Abdul Rahman, Daania Hazli, Hannah Yip and Lim Zan Ning have been shortlisted for the women's team. The squad lists will be finalised by Sept 1.
Farid added that the Sea Games Athletes Selection Committee have accepted both the men's and women's tennis squads under category A, which means their competition costs will be borne by the government.
"Based on our recent performances during the Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup (BJKC), as well as Mitsuki's (individual) ranking, both teams have been accepted under category A," said Farid.
"We hope to be able to justify our category A classification by winning big for Malaysia, InsyaAllah."
Mitsuki, who recently turned 21, achieved a career-high ATP ranking of 605 in late June but has since dropped to 640. It is nevertheless the highest a Malaysian player has been ranked in decades.
Malaysia secured promotion in the Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Group IV competition last month and achieved a top-four finish in the BJKC Asia-Oceania Group II competition in June. Both tournaments were held in Kuala Lumpur.
Malaysia won two bronze medals at the 2023 Phnom Penh Sea Games via Mitsuki, Hao Sheng and Christian Liew in the men's team event as well as the men's doubles (Mitsuki-Hao Sheng).
