S'pore Men Rally For Tennis Glory

The team are back in SEA Games fold after missing cuts, aim for first medal in 30 years

- Deepanraj Ganesan

Come December, it will mark three decades since Singapore last won a SEA Games medal in men's tennis. It is a record the sport's current national athletes know all too well.

After missing the Singapore National Olympic Council's cut for the last two editions, the men's team will have a chance to end the 30-year drought, having earned the nod for the Dec 9-20 Games in Thailand.

Buoyed by recent performances, the quintet of Michael Jimenez, Shaheed Alam, Jerall Yasin, Bill Chan and Daniel Abadia are determined to reach the podium.

They will be joined by the women's team of Audrey Tong, Sophie Chua, Eva Marie Desvignes, Tan Sue Yan and Deanne Choo.

Tennis at the 2025 Games will comprise singles, doubles, team and mixed doubles.

National coach Daniel Heryanto recalled the men's disappointment in 2023 when they found out that they were not selected for the biennial Games in Cambodia.

"Definitely they (the men's team) were very disappointed," said the 55-year-old. "SEA Games is a big thing and they were all looking forward to it.

"They are very, very motivated for the upcoming one because none of them have medalled in the SEA Games before and I am sure they want to get a medal this time to make Singaporeans very proud."