SEVENTEEN-year-old Indonesian star Angelique Widjaja may not have the incentives normally associated with a talented player to go right up the ladder in the tennis circuit.

Born into a what we could term as a wealthy family that owns hotel and textile, to be precise jeans, businesses, Angelique would have found life much smoother had she opted to just study and eventually slipped into the mainstream of her family interests.

But all she cared for in life from a very early age was the game of tennis and it is the sheer passion for the game that drives her from one success to another in her teens today.

“My brothers who help my father with the business got me into the game and my parents have supported and encouraged me all the way without any pressure on me regardless of the results,” Angelique said.

Parents Rico and Hanita have never been imposing in just about anything Angelique wants to do in life.

“I have a very understanding family. My father has not given me an ultimatum which is not the case with many girls back home or even on the circuit. I am lucky. My brothers taught me initially at the club our family go to.”

It started at the young age of four in Bandung. The first hold of a racquet, the feel of the court and the ball going ‘plong’ over the net or the lines at first go.

“Ever since my fourth year I have played tennis, seriously that is. When I was seven, I took part in my first tournament and I have never ever wanted to do anything else,” Angelique added.

Last year the Bali Open was something of a dream for the modest Bandung girl where she won on debut at a major.

The way she clawed her way back from the brink on Wednesday night at the Al Habtoor showed the fighting qualities in the schoolgirl who attends classes whenever possible in her home city.

“I go home to forget about tennis just as a break. During this time, if I can manage, I attend some classes to try to make up for my absence through the year,” she said, “At the Bali Open I beat Tamarine Tanasugarn and Molicke. It was a dream like experience especially as a wild card and as a WTA debutant.”

In the final Angelique defeated South African Janette Kruger much to the delight of the fans at home.

Angelique is at present Asia’s fourth best tennis player and is still eligible to play in the junior category.

“I have still a season to go as a junior. Last year’s Wimbledon success was another big title for me and I want improve upon my present standing of world number,” Angelique went on.

Her first prizemoney of $27,000 in Bali - she got to keep it fully unlike in some of the developing countries where the national bodies get a percentage.

Being well off financially from childhood, she might not have had the extra urge to lay hands on the big amount all by herself.

“No interference from anyone. I did what I liked and it was all mine.”