KUALA LUMPUR: Making it to the upper echelons in tennis remains nothing but a far fetched dream for many professionals grinding out a living on tour today.
But playing to your strengths like the Philippines Treat Conrad Huey could make the difference between a highly successful, or a forgettable career.
Treat became the first ever player from South East Asia to reach a final at the ATP Malaysian Open today.
Partnering Finland's Henri Kontinen, the duo downed Andre Begemann of Germany and Artem Sitak (New Zealand) 6-7(2), 7-6(2), 10-7 in the semi-finals of the men's doubles competition at the Putra Stadium.
Treat, who moved to the United States from the Philippines at the age of nine, said he had focused on doubles from an early stage in his professional career.
"It was just one of those things where I was just better at doubles when I was younger," said the 30-year-old, who has already won two ATP doubles titles this year.
"I was always good at singles but I did not think I could be a top 100 or top 150 player.
"I thought I could have a better chance of making it to the top in doubles so when I turned pro I focused a little bit more on it (doubles).
"It is definitely better to be in the top 20 or 30 in doubles and be able to play in all the big tournaments and grand slams. It is a lot of fun to me."
Treat is currently ranked World No 36 after having reached a career high No 20 in March last year. Hi career best singles ranking is No 689 achieved in 2009. He won a gold and silver in mixed and men's doubles at the Singapore Sea Games earlier this year.