KUALA LUMPUR: With an eye on the majors, promising tennis player Shihomi Leong is determined to break into the top-100 of the ITF world junior rankings next year.
Shihomi said being ranked in the top-100 would qualify her to play in the junior grand slams and she is hoping to make the cut for Wimbledon in July and the US Open in August.
The 16-year-old is currently ranked No. 237 in the world junior rankings.
"When the 18-year-olds leave (the junior ranking system) next year, my ranking will go up to about No. 170," said Shihomi recently.
"It is then up to me to push myself up the rankings.
"I will be starting the season early and will be travelling to India on Jan 1.
"I will be there for three weeks and will compete in a number of J100 and J200 level tournaments to earn ranking points.
"My goal is to compete in the junior grand slams. The Australian Open (in January) would be too early, but I am hoping to be in contention by the French Open (in May).
"Wimbledon and the US Open would probably be more realistic for me to qualify for."
Shihomi has represented Malaysia at the senior level at the Cambodia Sea Games, as well as the Billie Jean King Cup in Kuala Lumpur earlier this year.
She and her brother, Mitsuki, 19, reaffirmed their status as the nation's top players after winning the men's and women's singles titles at the Tennis Malaysia Masters in Kuala Lumpur earlier this month.
The Ipoh-born duo are coached and managed by their father, Jeff Leong.