Tennis

Savanna Lý Nguyễn of Việt Nam competes in the 31st SEA Games last May. She is one of the favourites to return home with a gold medal from Cambodia's 32nd Games in May. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Savanna Lý Nguyễn, one of Việt Nam's most accomplished female tennis players, has her sights firmly set on gold at next month's 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia.

The tennis ace, also known as Savvy, earned a women's singles silver medal at the 30th Games held in the Philippines, and last year, alongside Chanelle Vân Nguyễn, Trần Thụy Thanh Trúc and Csilla Fodor, clinched a silver in the women's team event.

Determined to take home the top prize this time around, Savvy has been training relentlessly, sharpening her skills and perfecting her game in preparation for the highly anticipated tournament. With all eyes on this gifted athlete, fans and spectators alike eagerly await her momentous victory.

"I am taking part in events under the WTA system and trying my best to improve my world ranking," said Savvy.

"My main target is a good world position which will help me to win an opportunity to compete in the Grand Slam one day. Along with getting experience from these high-class events, I also learn more about tactics and technique match by match. I believe that it is a good way to lift my ability up, and definitely, I will have good preparation and be at my peak in the 2023 SEA Games."

Savvy admits her rivals at the SEA Games will be strong and winning a title will be a tough task for anyone.

"Players' abilities will be shown on the court," said Savvy. "I tried hard to bring home a gold medal. But it was not easy. In 2019 in Philippines, I was one of finalists in women's singles but lost and could only have silver. This year, I will surely do better and win a gold."

Savvy is a member of the Military team. She won three gold medals in the women's team, doubles and singles events at the National Sports Meet last December.

In the Phnom Penh Games, she believed that Thailand would be the toughest rivals and beating them would not be easy.

"Thailand is home to powerful competitors who have not only played pro but also taken part in a number of high-level tournaments," said Savvy, who was one of the top juniors in her Canadian province throughout her career. "In addition to senior players, the country has just introduced a generation of young but talented ones. They are improving fast."

"However, I am excited about playing against them because I can play at my best ability when facing strong rivals. The stronger they are, the better I am."

The 32nd SEA Games will be held from May 5 to 17 in four cities and provinces. Tennis will be organised from May 6-14 at the Tennis Complex, Morodok Techo National Stadium, in Phnom Penh.

Việt Nam's best tennis result is two gold medals in the men's singles by national top-flight player Lý Hoàng Nam who won in the 2019 and 2022 Games editions. — VNS