JUAN Antonio Los Santos is aiming to become Malaysia's most successful tennis player.
The 18-year-old will begin his professional career after the ongoing Malaysia Games, where he hopes to earn ATP ranking points before the end of the year.
"I will start pursing my dreams by competing in the Futures (lower-tier level professional events). I will give myself six years to make it big," said Los Santos, who is representing Selangor in the Malaysia Games.
"It is not important to become the national No 1 as it won't take you anywhere. "I am only interested to put Malaysia on the world tennis map."
Los Santos is feared by many players for his big serve and strong forehand and backhand.
"I've to admit that my fitness is lacking. It is something that I need to address seriously before pursuing my professional dream," he said.
Los Santos began playing tennis at 10 under the guidance of former national champion S. Selvarajoo. He soon rose to fame by becoming the No 1 ranked Asian Under-14 player before winning two ITF titles in Brunei and Singapore in 2007.
But the youngster quit the sport abruptly after last December's National Hardcourt Championships before returning to the courts in last month's National Circuit third leg, where he lost in the final to Si Yew Meng.
RESULTS
Boys' Group A-- Negri Sembilan 3 Perlis 0, Negri Sembilan 3 Perak 0; Group B - Selangor 3 Kedah 0, Selangor 1 Federal Territories 2; Group C - Johor 3 Terengganu 0, Johor 2 Kelantan 1; Group D - Sabah 2 Malacca 1, Pahang 2 Penang 1, Sabah 1 Pahang 2, Malacca 3 Penang 0.
Girls' Group A - Selangor 3 Perak 0, Selangor 3 Federal Territories 0; Group B - Negri Sembilan 1 Kedah 2, Negri Sembilan 1 Malacca 2; Group C -- Pahang 3 Sabah 0, Perlis 2 Penang 1, Pahang 2 Perlis 1, Sabah 1 Penang 2.
