Heo shares lessons learned in Japan

CNMI netter Ji Hoon Heo had a forgettable debut in Japan, but he will always remember the lessons learned from the two tournaments he competed in in the Land of the Rising Sun.

Heo competed in the Hyogo International Junior Tournament 1 and 2 and lost both his opening matches. He faced Shintaro Imai in the Tournament 1 and lost in straight sets, 1-6, 3-6, two weeks ago. Last week, he dueled and bowed to No. 5 seed Shoji Hahira, 6-1, 6-1.

“I did really badly in my matches,” said Heo, who came to Japan with an injury and was not in his best fighting form.

But Heo doesn’t want to use these as excuses for his obscure performance in Japan, as he rested too long, forgetting how important it is to keep playing and training, especially when you are going to a tough battle.

“I did not have much confidence in all the matches I played in Japan. I was nervous every single match and I was not that prepared, especially, mentally because I rested for two months,” Heo said.

The 16-year-old netter rarely played in tournaments here, wanting to reserve his strength for future off-island events. He went to Korea and New Caledonia before going to Fiji for the 2008 Pacific Oceania Junior Championships.

He did not do well either in Korea and when he went to New Caledonia, he suffered an injury forcing him to relax a bit heading to Fiji.

CNMI coach Jeff Race and Mayuko Arriola even had to play a couple of games with Heo to get him back into form for the POJC. Heo eventually lost to a much fitter Lorenzo Pineda of Vanuatu in the boys’ 18-and-under finals.

The MHS students stayed a few more weeks in Fiji to prepare for the tournaments in Japan. Tournament 1 was played in the last week of August and Heo was joined in Japan by trainer Philippe Poignon, who worked for the French Tennis Federation training junior players in France and New Caledonia.

“I worked very hard with Philip to get back in shape. I got a lot fitter, but I don’t think my mental side was prepared for the tough matches in Japan,” Heo said.

“It was really hard trying to stay focus and play when you are extremely nervous,” he added.

Heo said it is very important to be prepared physically and mentally every game.

“Once I return to Saipan I will work harder so next time I go to Japan, I will do better,” said Heo, who was scheduled to return on Saipan yesterday.

Heo is planning to join to more ITF-sanctioned events in November and December in the Philippines.

The tournaments he joined in Korea, New Caledonia, and Japan allowed Heo to get ITF Junior ranking points. After the first tournament in Japan, Heo was ranked No. 1561 in singles.