SHIHOMI Leong hopes to become a successful professional player one day. The Perak-born, ranked 45th on the Asian Tennis Federation rankings, is coached by her father Jeff Leong.
Shihomi, 12, idolises Japan’s Naomi Osaka and hopes to emulate the US Open champion’s success in the sport when she turns pro after completing her studies.
A Year Six student of SJK(C) Poi Lam, Shihomi is training hard to play like Naomi.
“I like the way Naomi plays tennis. I often watch her matches on TV and from there, try to master her strokes in training,” said Shihomi after winning the girls’ singles and doubles titles at the Penang ATF 14 and Under Series last month.
In the singles, she defeated top seed and compatriot Iman Syuhada Abdullah 4-6, 6-2, 6-2. Shihomi and Iman paired up to win the doubles title by overcoming Hong Kong’s Tak Sum Fung- Ching Laam La 7-5, 6-7 (3-7), 10-3.
“I am delighted to win both the singles and doubles crowns. In the singles, I never thought that I would be able to beat Iman as I had lost to her on several occasions previously.
“I hope these wins will give me more confidence in other tournaments,” said Shihomi, who will now prepare for the World Junior Under-12 Championships in Kazakhstan in August.
Shihomi, who is of Malaysian and Japanese parentage, has been in good form this year. She also won the Under-12 singles titles at the Perak Schools Championships and the Malaysian Schools Championships recently.