National tennis ace Ariez to study in the US

KUCHING: National men’s tennis ace, Ariez Elyaas Deen Hesham had been accepted to further his studies at University of Comberland, Kentucky in USA.

The 19-year-old Sarawakian lad will be pursuing a degree in Business Administration at the university on a scholarship.

“I am very happy to be accepted by the university where I shall be both furthering my studies and playing tennis,” Ariez told the Borneo Post in a telephone interview from Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

He was due to fly to the US later in the evening.

“One of the conditions attached with the scholarship is to play for the university at the inter-university tennis competitions,” said Ariez who will be trained by a Malaysian coach now residing in the US.

“This is a back-up plan for me in case that if I am not able to succeed as a professional player, I shall at least hold the qualification to get a job,” he said while expressing the desire to return home and compete in international competitions like SEA Games or the Davis Cup if his services are required.

“During the summer holidays in the US which is about three months, I will also play in a few Men’s Futures events which are near Kentucky in order to gain more ATP points,” he said.

Ariez earned his ATP singles point at the 2011 F1 event in Laos and ATP doubles point by reaching the semi-finals at the F3 event held in Thailand with the highest ATP singles and doubles rankings he earned then was 1,498 and 1,378 respectively.

He became country’s top men’s singles player after he defeated Si Yew Ming of Perak 6-4, 1-6, 6-3 in the final of last year’s RM30,000 National Circuit at Jalan Duta Tennis Complex in Kuala Lumpur.

He defeated Si again at the recent BMW Malaysian National Circuit 2012 Masters also held in Kuala Lumpur enroute to winning the 1st National NSTP Men’s Circuit title last year.

He also played in the ATP Malaysian Open 250 and lost in the first round 2-6, 1-6 to ATP No. 70 Igor Sijsling and was a member of the Malaysian team that finished third in the Davis Cup held in Iran.

Ariez who first represented Malaysia for Davis Cup in 2010 at the age of 17 helped the country to finish fourth placing in 2011 Davis Cup held in Sri Lanka.

His highest ITF junior rankings reached 309 and he was selected by the ITF Federation for the 16 Under European Tour that was played in Italy and France.

He came in third in the Under 14 ATF tournament.

Other Sarawakians now studying in US on tennis scholarships include sisters Wena and Aileen Tsan, Zhong Zhia Hwa, siblings Kevin and Eileen Lee.

Those who have graduated are Michelle Liew, Lindsay Woon, Liew Meang, Liew Sheau Shan and Keng Pei Ying.

“They all belong to the elite group of tennis performers who not only excel in tennis but also in tennis. They are also able to fit in with the US higher education system where emphasis is both on sports and academics,” said Sarawak Lawn Tennis Association president Dato Patrick Liew.

“At the age of 19, he must be intellectual to seek a qualification and at the same time pursue his tennis career. The qualification is something that he can fall back on if he cannot soar to higher heights in tennis,” said Liew.- www.theborneopost.com.