NATIONAL tennis player Jawairiah Noordin had better walk the talk after saying she’s not too bothered about seedings at the Philippines Sea Games.
The 29-year-old will feature in women’s doubles, mixed doubles and possibly women’s singles at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Centre in Manila on Dec 1-7.
Jawairiah, who has struggled with injuries in recent seasons, looks to have hit form of late, having reached the final of the US$15,000 (RM62,950) ITF event in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, as a qualifier and also helping Malaysia qualify for the final of the Belt and Road Kunming International Championship team event last month.
At the 2017 Kuala Lumpur Games, Jawairiah and S. Theviya clinched Malaysia’s only medal in the sport when they won bronze in women’s doubles.
Now, she hopes to help the team make an even bigger impact in the Philippines.
“I started preparing for the Sea Games since the Fed Cup this year (June),” said Jawairiah.
“After that (Fed Cup), I returned home to Penang and trained with my brother (former Davis Cupper Muhd Noor Noordin) and father. I then came back to KL to train with the rest of the players and coach Suresh Menon.
“I will be competing in a few more tournaments in Egypt soon as part of my preparation — and also to gain more ranking points.
“These ranking points are important to get a good seeding for the Sea Games. Without it (seeding), the luck of the draw might see you playing against the first or second seed.
“But, as far as I am concerned, if you are good, you will be able to beat anyone!”
Jawairiah did not play in the final in Kunming last month due to a groin strain but stressed that she’s fully fit now.
“The Kunming tournament was the first time I played on clay and I was not used to sliding on it,” she said.
“It was nothing serious, just a minor pull, but I’m fine now and can train normally.”
Besides Jawairiah and Theviya, the others in the women’s squad are Suhana Sofia Adam Das and Sara Nayar.