Mamiit’s dream is to play in Beijing

Southeast Asian (SEA) Games tennis double gold medalist Cecil Mamiit said the other day his dream is to represent the Philippines at the Beijing Olympics next year and if he reenters the world’s top 100, the ticket will be guaranteed.

"My goal is to go back to the top 100," said Mamiit whose highest ranking was No. 72 in 1999. "That means I’ll be constantly on tour. I want my game back. I was in the top 100 for five years. Now, I’m just in the top 200. I realize you can make it to the Olympics by ranking in the top 150 but I won’t settle for that."

Mamiit, 30, said playing for the country has sparked a resurgence in his career.

"It’s all about national pride," said Mamiit, an only child whose father Cesar, a retired computer technician, hails from Alaminos, Laguna and mother Lita, a nurse, is from Sariaya, Quezon. "I regret not playing for the Philippines earlier."

The Philippine Olympic Committee recently singled out tennis as one of the sports it will support for Beijing. There will be 128 players in the singles event and 64 teams in doubles.

Mamiit powered the Philippines to a 4-1 win over Pakistan in the first round of the Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Group II competitions at the Rizal courts last weekend. He extended his unbeaten Davis Cup streak to seven singles wins by whipping Jalil Khan, 6-1, 6-0, 6-1, and Aqeel Khan, 6-1, 6-3, 6-2. Mamiit also teamed with Eric Taino to trounce Aqeel Khan and Asim Shafik, 5-7, 6-4, 6-1, 6-3, in doubles.

"The Davis Cup has rejuvenated my game," said Mamiit. "With the SEA Games and Asian Games, there is reason for me to stay on tour. Playing for the Philippines makes me feel young and energetic. I hope to peak in the Asian Games in Guangzhou four years from now."

Mamiit said his immediate objective is to push up his ranking this year.

"Before playing Pakistan, I practiced with Andy Roddick and James Blake," he said. "In the Davis Cup, you play best-of-5 and it highlights your game to the next level. You’ve got to be prepared for a long grind. Last year, after the Davis Cup, I was exhausted and went down with pneumonia. I was out for almost two months. I hope I can put the pieces together and stay healthy this year."

Although he’s getting on in years, Mamiit said age isn’t a factor in determining whether to continue playing or not.

"Five years from now, I think I’ll still be playing and paving the way for Philippine tennis," he said. "If I can still improve and win, I’ll play on. Last year, I won five doubles titles and qualified for Wimbledon. I asked (Andre) Agassi once how he extended his career and he told me the key was spacing out your tournaments. In the US, there are so many opportunities to play so pacing is important. After last weekend, I’ll take a week off then play in Memphis. You’re supposed to be old at 28 in tennis but Agassi played until he was 36 and (Jonas) Bjorkman (a semifinalist in Wimbledon last year and a doubles finalist at the recent Australian Open) is still going strong at 34."

Mamiit said the future is wide open for Davis Cup teammates P.J. Tierro, 21, and Johnny Arcilla, 26. – Joaquin Henson