Strive for your dreams!

25 February 2012

FORMER World No 7 singled out player Barbara Schett’s goal-setting become the key points for players wanting to make a successful professional career in tennis.

"Players need to love tennis as their fulltime career in order to stay focus.

"It is important to set your own goal and push yourself but make sure you are doing it because you want it and not for other people.

"Exposure at a young age is important but training is the key for players.

"Do not take failure lightly; I will motivate myself to train and try harder whenever I did not do well.

Barbara's advice should be noted by local players, Jawairiah Noordin and 16-year-old Choo Lyn Yuen, who both will play in the BMW Malaysian Open qualifying round today.

Jawairiah's best result since becoming a professional in 2007 was reaching the semi-finals of the ITF Surakata Open four years ago.

The 22-year-old, however, has not made any impact in international events except for the team event bronze medals at the 2007 and 2009 Sea Games.

As for Lyn Yuen, who won the 2010 Brunei Junior Championships, she will be making her maiden appearance in a WTA Tour event at the Malaysian Open.

Barbara said local tennis federations must do their roles in supporting, funding, provide training and competition expenses. Most importantly, their parents must also involve themselves in giving support to their children.

"Players must learn from each failure and make adjustments to move forward.

"My advice to them is to give their best shot in the tournament," said the 36-year-old, who won 13 tour titles before retiring in 2005, is now a Eurosport presenter.