By Jean Malanum
MANILA – Philippine Tennis Academy player Tennielle Madis knows it takes many hours of training to become better and get good results but her hard work paid off.
The 17-year-old from M’lang, North Cotabato native won two doubles titles in the United Arab Emirates in January, improving her International Tennis Federation (ITF) Juniors rankings to No. 207.
Madis teamed up with South Korean Ui Su Jeong to beat Russians Alisa Terentyeva and Alina Yuneva, 3-6, 6-1 (10-4), in the final of the 15th Fujairah ITF Juniors on Jan. 12.
Two weeks after, Madis and Russian Vlada Guryleva to defeated Pavla Sviglerova of Czech Republic and Inka Wawrzkiewicz of Poland, 6-4, 6-4, in the final of the UAE ITF Juniors in Dubai.
“My doubles partners are both very good so I have to keep up with them. Teamwork and communication are very important,” said Madis, who had practice session with 10-time Philippine Columbian Association Open champion Johnny Arcilla and 2023 Cambodia SEA Games doubles gold medalist Francis Casey Alcantara before going to UAE.
“I’m happy with my performance and I hope to win more tournaments in the future. I’d like to thank my coach Bobie (Robert Angelo) for training me and his advices have motivated me to become a better player,” she added.
Angelo, a former Davis Cupper and SEA Games medalist who is now PTA head coach, sees a bright future for Madis.
“Tenny has the talent, she has a good attitude off and on the court. What she needs is more tournaments abroad. Exposure is a must to improve a player’s skills,” said Angelo.
Madis is scheduled to compete at a J200 event in Nonthaburi, Thailand. She has to survive the qualifying round starting on Feb. 22 to reach the main draw starting on Feb. 24.
She won five doubles titles last year, four with PTA teammate Stefi Marithe Aludo in J60 events held in Manila, China, Thailand and Sri Lanka. (PNA)
