KUALA LUMPUR: Tennis siblings Shihomi and Mitsuki Leong are for the first time in recent years celebrating Christmas in Ipoh as they look to prepare for a busy season ahead.
The Ipoh-born duo are of mixed Malaysian-Japanese parentage but represent Malaysia in international competitions.
They usually spend Christmas in Okayama - three hours away from Osaka - which is where their mother Mitsue Nishimori is from.
Their father Jeff Leong, who also coaches and manages the duo, said they decided to spend Christmas here so they can focus on preseason training.
The trio will head off to India in the first week of next month to play in a series of ITF tournaments there.
"We usually spend Christmas in Japan with my wife's family. It is a good chance for us to catch up with the relatives," said Jeff when contacted today.
"We usually train there (Okayama) as well but I have decided against that this year because the weather there is quite cold at the moment.
"We usually train outdoors there and the cold weather can be a bit harsh. It can cause blisters and cracked skin.
"Since we are going to India, it would be better for us to train here ahead of the tournaments as the weather is more similar.
"We are undergoing preseason training now, focusing on building endurance as well as touching up on the fundamentals.
"We hope to continue progressing next year so we have to prepare as best possible."
Mitsuki, 19, competed in his first full season on the men's senior circuit this year and achieved a major breakthrough by winning his maiden ITF title in Nakhon Si Thammarat (ITF M15) in September.
It was the first time a Malaysian player had won an ITF singles title in over two decades. The win helped propel Mitsuki to No. 823 in the ATP rankings from 1,129 previously.
Shihomi, 16, is hoping to crack the top-100 in the ITF junior girls' ranking next year which would qualify her to play in the junior Grand Slams. She has already won two ITF junior titles (J4 and J5) so far.