The excitement in the hotel ballroom after theSUAR Roundtable Decision wasSUAR alive. The majority of VIP and VVIP guests were still chatting when the SUAR team SUAR the room to interview the Mayor of Surabaya, Eri Cahyadi.
Accustomed to managing one of the busiest cities in the country, Cak Eri, as he is commonly known, appeared more relaxed when asked about matters beyond city affairs. He became even more enthusiastic when we asked him about one of his hobbies: playing tennis.
Tennis, according to Eri, is not only good for your health. "Sports are the most effective way to make friends and connections," he said in Jakarta on Thursday (11/12).
He explained that tennis gives rise to several powerful strategies for building relationships that cannot be obtained from the work environment. "The way tennis works is simple but effective. Whether you play singles or doubles, direct interaction is a must. We have to communicate and cooperate. From there, bonds with opponents or playing partners are immediately formed," said Eri.
Eri said that joining a tennis club or community opens up opportunities for friendship, mentorship, or even business opportunities.
"The key to becoming a leader is to meet many people, and tennis is one of the ways I use to build relationships," he said.
Regular sparring sessions are not just training for him, but also a social event to share experiences and strategies, and to build networks with other players.
Participating in inter-community or club tournaments is an effective way to improve your skills while meeting players from different backgrounds.
Tennis also exercises the muscles throughout the body, from the arms, shoulders, chest, and back to the legs, increasing strength and endurance.
Eri added that tennis also provides mental and cognitive benefits by reducing stress and anxiety and improving mood through the fun of playing with friends.
"That's why I love tennis because it has so many benefits. I usually play in the afternoon after work, three times a week," he said.
Venus Williams
When asked about her idol, Eri immediately mentions Venus Williams. She sees Venus not only as an athlete, but as an icon with extraordinary vision and consistency.
"Together with her sister, Serena, she broke the dominance of white players in tennis, becoming a global inspiration, especially for women and black athletes," he said.
Venus has proven herself to be competitive at the highest level for over a decade, winning seven Grand Slam singles titles—five at Wimbledon, two at the US Open—as well as an Olympic gold medal and other tournaments.
"He is known for his powerful serve, forehand, and dynamic, athletic movements. He is a valuable lesson in resilience and staying at the top of your game," he said.
Out of her love for tennis, Eri has a myriad of ideas on how to advance tennis in Indonesia.
According to him, there must be a structured roadmap and guidance supported by synergy between the government and the private sector.
"We need to build a good training center, find qualified coaches, and seek out athletes with a winning mentality from an early age," he said.
He added that building a tennis ecosystem also requires establishing a professionally managed national tennis league with television broadcasting rights to develop athletes and create an industry.
"Regularly hold championships, including for young people, to create sustainable achievements," he added.
