Sabah tennis pride Christian pulls out from Futures
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah’s top Malaysian junior Christian Didier Chin has withdrawn from competing in three International Tennis Federation (ITF) Futures Tournaments in Kuala Lumpur next month.
The competitions include the Malaysia F1 Futures from July 2 to 8, Malaysia F2 Futures from July 9 to 15 and Malaysia F3 Futures from July 16 to 22, each of which carry $15,000 in prize money.
“I have a personal wish to play (in) these Malaysian events (but) unfortunately the timing and category does not align with my immediate goals, influenced by the incentives on offer from the new ITF system.
“Under a new ranking system governed by the ITF for 2019, players like myself will receive automatic entry into 15K and 25K events if we finish 2018 inside the top 100.
“Together with my coach, agent and family, we are in total agreement that we will spend the rest of this year increasing my Junior ranking in preparation for a fruitful year in 2019.
“This includes training and preparation in Australia for the Junior US Open and other major U18 tournaments.
“There is no disrespect or protest towards LTAM (Lawn Tennis Association of Malaysia) behind my decision to withdraw and I passionately remain available for selection to the Malaysian National Team when required.
“I look forward to playing in front of Malaysian fans in the future,” Christian, 17, was quoted as saying.
Meanwhile, Christian has been taking part in clay court tournaments in Europe for the last two months.
He is currently staying back for the final Maindraw in Gladbeck ITF G2, Germany, which will be his last tournament on clay before switching to hard courts in Australia to prepare for the Junior US Open.
Christian, who did not make the cut for Roehampton and Wimbledon, will skip the grass court tournaments.