10th Cigna Open is just around the corner

The strong commitment of PT Asuransi Cigna towards national tennis no need to be questioned at all. The one and only "Cigna Open" will be held again from February 8-15, 2009. This tourney is always the early bird in the national circuit calendar. While in the midst of global financial crisis many companies have withdrawn their sponsorship for sport events, PT Asuransi Cigna has its firm stand to maintain their prestigious tournament.

For the very first time, "Cigna Open" started in the year of 2000 and in its first year, the total prize money was merely 35 million rupiahs. Each year PT Asuransi Cigna increases total prize money in the amount of 20 million rupiahs. This year it is approaching its 10th years of excellence and the total prize money is 200 million rupiahs. As explained by Mr. Ian Cooper, President Director of PT Asuransi Cigna, the amount of 130 million rupiahs will be allocated into men's category, while 70 million rupiahs for women's category.

No doubt this tourney is still the darling for many players and it is indeed very special. Only "Cigna Open" waive the tax for players and it has become their trademark for years. Entry fees are being donated to the needies from year to year as well. In commemorating its 10th years, PT Asuransi Cigna provides free accident insurance not only for players, but also for officials and journalists during the tournament.

"Cigna Open" took place at Senayan Tennis Complex only in the year of 2000, 2001 and 2005. Since 2002 until now, "Cigna Open" has been taking place at Tennis Complex of The Sultan Hotel Executive Club. From all the winners of this tourney who eventually clinched world achievement was Angelique Widjaja, winner of "2001 Cigna Open". Later on Widjaja won Wimbledon Junior in the same year then in 2002 she grabbed French Open Junior title.

PT Asuransi Cigna has been wondering why four top players inside national top five did not enter this time. The four top players are Sandy Gumulya, Ayu Fani Damayanti, Lavinia Tananta and Beatrice Gumulya. At the press conference on February 3, 2009 the tourney's officials distributed women's final entry list and the top seed is the privilege of Jessy Rompies (ranked 4 nationally), followed by Grace Sari Ysidora (ranked 7 nationally) as second seed. As informed by Mr. Johanes Susanto from National Tennis Association, Mrs. Martina Widjaja, the President of the highest body for national tennis is indeed respecting "Cigna Open" and she decided to provide higher ranking points for the players who will participate in this tourney. Why did Rompies enter then? As we all know, Rompies and those four players are from the same elite tennis camp owned by Mrs. Widjaja. Sure, all of them are now members of Fed team and they are playing Asia Oceania qualifying round of Group I in Perth, Australia. It is very impossible that they did not know the exact schedule of "Cigna Open". After all, these five girls are managed by very experienced coach, Suzanna Anggarkusuma.

In men's category, possible fierce competition will be led by Indonesian numero uno, Christopher Rungkat and followed by his Davis Cup team mates such as Sunu Wahyu Trijati, Prima Simpatiaji and Nesa Arta. Only number two of Indonesia will not participate as Elbert Sie has informed to the press last December that he planned to study overseas. One thing is so amazing till now, despite its schedule is in the middle of wet season, "Cigna Open" has always been on schedule until the final matches. Forever "Cigna Open"!