NAGOYA-Tenny Madis bowed out of the women’s singles at the 20th Asian Games on Sunday following a 1-6, 0-6 setback to Japan’s Himeno Sakatsume in tennis’s first match on center court of the Higashiyama Park Tennis Center.
Sakatsume, ranked No. 119 by the Women’ Tennis Association, proved too much for Madis and dictated the pace from the first serve.
‘I need to train harder, not double time, but maybe 10 times more,’ Madis said. ‘I need to get stronger, build more muscles, my physique.’
The pride of M’lang in North Cotabato, Madis said she relished the opportunity to play on center court against a formidable opponent in these games where Team Philippines’ participation is supported by the Philippine Olympic Committee and Philippine Sports Commission.
‘I was excited but at the same time jittery at center court,’ she said. ‘But it was an opportunity for me to play center court against a strong player from Japan.’
The 19-year-old said her training with the University of Hawai’i in Manoa helped prepare her and women’s doubles teammate Stefi Aludo for the Asian Games.
‘We’ll do our best, we’ll scrape bottom tomorrow,’ said Madis, who thanked the PSC and Philippine Tennis Association. ‘I’ll always thank God for this opportunity.’