ATF 14 & Under Singapore: What We Learned

When planning our tournament schedule, we had a choice between competing in Bangkok or Singapore. Since we had already gained experience playing in Thailand, we decided to enter the ATF 14 & Under tournament in Singapore. The main objective was simple, to expose ourselves to a different group of players and understand the level of tennis in another country.

We had not played against many Singaporean players before, so we were excited to see how they competed. New environments and new opponents are always valuable experiences in a player’s development.

The Cost of Competing

Compared to Thailand, Singapore is considerably more expensive for Malaysian families. With the Singapore Dollar being roughly three times stronger than the Malaysian Ringgit, every meal, hotel stay and transport expense adds up quickly.

Travelling internationally for junior tournaments requires careful budgeting, but we believe that investing in the right competitive opportunities is part of long-term player development.

Why Singapore Qualifying Was More Competitive

One thing we noticed immediately was the depth of the qualifying draw.

In Malaysia, our girls usually qualify directly into the main draw. Even in Thailand, they were accepted into the main draw without having to play qualifying.

Singapore was different.

Many local players entered the tournament, making the qualifying draw much stronger and larger. Lower-ranked players had to earn their place through qualifying before reaching the main draw.

This is likely because Singapore regularly hosts ATF tournaments at the same tennis centre. Local players have frequent opportunities to compete against each other, earn ranking points and improve their level. Thailand follows a similar model, with many ATF tournaments being held in Nonthaburi throughout the year.

Regular local competition helps players develop faster because they consistently face quality opponents.

A Lesson for Malaysia

Malaysia is making positive progress by organising more ATF tournaments. In 2026, tournaments are scheduled in Penang, Negeri Sembilan, Selangor, Perak, Melaka and Sarawak.

This gives more opportunities to players living in those states.

However, Malaysia is geographically larger, and many players still need to travel long distances to compete. There are advantages and disadvantages to spreading tournaments across different states, but it also means families must spend more time and money travelling.

Finding the right balance between accessibility and nationwide development will always be a challenge.

Our Tournament Results

Although Singapore had many local entries, only six Singaporean girls reached the main draw. Most of their players had to begin from the qualifying rounds.

Both Reefa and Raihah competed in qualifying.

Raihah lost in the first qualifying round to a Singaporean player, 3-6, 1-6. Although the score may seem straightforward, she played much better than in previous tournaments and showed clear improvement. She is still searching for her first ATF singles victory, but the progress is encouraging.

Reefa successfully won her final qualifying match to earn a place in the main draw. She defeated another Singaporean player 6-4, 6-1 to reach the main draw.

Most of the players she faced were 14 years old, two years older than her. They were physically stronger, faster and more experienced. Every match demanded a high level of focus and determination.

Final Thoughts

This trip was about much more than results.

It allowed us to experience a different tennis culture, understand how another country’s development system works and measure ourselves against a new group of players.

Every tournament teaches us something.

Singapore reminded us that consistent local competition builds stronger players, and that exposing young athletes to different playing styles is essential for long-term development.

We return home with more experience, more knowledge and an even clearer direction for the work ahead.

One tournament. More lessons. One step closer to our goals.

Singapore Tennis Hub: More Than Just a Tennis Venue

The tournament was held at the Singapore Tennis Hub, and one thing that immediately stood out was its convenience. Right beside the tennis centre are two shopping malls, all within walking distance.

For players, parents and coaches, this makes a huge difference. Between matches, instead of spending hours sitting around the courts, we could walk over to the mall to have a proper meal, grab a coffee, or simply relax before the next match. After a long day of competition, it was also a nice place to unwind.

For young players, however, there was one attraction that was impossible to ignore, the ice skating rink.

Every time we walked past it, the girls couldn’t take their eyes off the skaters. So I made them a deal.

“One of you gets through to the main draw, and we’ll go ice skating.”

It became a little extra motivation.

True to the promise, Reefa fought her way through qualifying and earned her place in the main draw. Once the job was done, we kept our word and headed to the ice rink together.

Sometimes, the best rewards don’t have to be expensive. They simply create memories that make the journey enjoyable. Junior tennis is demanding, and moments like these remind us that while we work hard to achieve our goals, it’s also important to enjoy the experience along the way.