RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia’s women’s national tennis team is preparing for an important next chapter after advancing to the playoff qualifiers of the Billie Jean King Cup (BJK), marking a breakthrough not seen since 2004.

The squad -- featuring Janice Tjen, Aldila Sutjiadi, Priska Nugroho, Anjali Junarto, and Meydiana Laviola, with Christopher Rungkat as captain -- finished runner-up in the Asia Oceania Group I competition held in New Delhi, India, from April 7–11.

Indonesia posted a strong 4–1 record, defeating New Zealand, Mongolia, India, and South Korea, but fell to Thailand in the final group match. Indonesian Tennis Association (PELTI) Secretary General Andi Fajar praised the team’s resilience and unity.

“This is an extraordinary achievement. The team showed great cohesion and managed to secure runner-up, which takes us to the next stage,” he said on Sunday, April 12, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

He emphasized that the federation is now focused on building international experience for players, particularly younger talents with limited exposure to global tournaments.

To prepare for the playoff qualifiers in November, PELTI plans to send athletes to international competitions, including W15-level tournaments in Singapore and Malaysia, to gain ranking points and match experience.

“The program is already underway. Players will choose tournaments that can help them collect points,” Andi explained, noting that all initiatives are integrated with broader preparations for multi-sport events such as the 2026 Asian Games.

Indonesia’s potential opponents in the playoff stage include powerhouse nations such as Japan, the United States, Australia, Canada, Slovenia, Poland, Switzerland, or the Czech Republic. “We are waiting for the draw to know our next opponent,” Andi said.

He highlighted the importance of nurturing young players like Anjali and Meydiana, while ensuring the entire squad remains fit and injury-free. “We are optimistic. The opportunities in women’s tennis are wide open, both in singles and doubles,” he concluded. ***