BANGKOK: No Malaysian has stood on the podium in the men’s singles tennis event since V. Selvam’s achievement at the 2001 Kuala Lumpur Games.
That 24-year wait ended yesterday when national player Mitsuki Leong settled for a bronze medal after losing 3-6, 1-6 to Australian-born Thai Maximus Jones at the Lawn Tennis Association of Thailand.
The 21-year-old Mitsuki was still disappointed as he had aimed higher.
"A bronze medal wasn’t the ideal ending for me in Bangkok. It would’ve been great to finish a little higher," said Mitsuki.
"But still, I’m grateful to at least win a medal for Malaysia."
"The result isn’t just for me but it’s also a great sign of progress for tennis in Malaysia."
Mitsuki also won bronze medal in the men’s team event, together with teammates Darrshan Suresh Kumar, Koay Hao Sheng, Imran Daniel Abd Hazli, and Naufal Siddiq Kamaruzzaman.
"We had such a good team. Everyone was so supportive and encouraging. I couldn’t have reached the semis without them cheering for me," he said.
At the 2023 edition in Cambodia, Mitsuki got two bronze medals - in the men’s doubles with Hao Sheng, and the men's team event.
Mitsuki and Hao Sheng’s doubles campaign had earlier ended in the round of 16 after they fell to Singapore’s Shaheed Alam Meqsud-Bill Chan 6-3, 7-6 (7-5).
