Players turn the other cheek

Musthofid ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Nusa Dua, Bali   |  Tue, 11/03/2009 1:05 PM  |  Headlines

The women's professional tennis tour is supposed to be a competitive world of fierce rivalries. On Monday, at an off-court beauty treatment held during the Commonwealth Bank Tournament of Champions, players got to show their gentle touch with each other before the battles begin at the US$600,000 tournament.

"She has a good hand," Aravane Rezai teased German Sabine Lisicki, who responded with a smile as she massaged the French player's shoulder.

At The Laguna Spa, Melinda Czink was doing the same to Japan's Kimiko Date-Krumm, and Yanina Wickmayer to tournament alternate Vera Dushevina, as part of "The Pevonia Journey of Flawless Skin" organized by one of the sponsors.

The players took turns at massage and then applying face masks to each other. The other seven players who qualified for the round-robin tournament - Marion Bartoli, Samantha Stosur, Anabel Medina Garigues, Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez, Shahar Peer, Agnes Szavay and Magdalena Rybarikova - were not in attendance.

"They have opted to practice, but they will get their turn next," an official said.

On the instructions of therapist Kellie Baker, the women - more used to sweating it out on court under a baking sun than pampering themselves at a spa - cleansed their eye area and then exfoliated to remove dirt from the skin.

They also learned about the importance of moisturizing and using sunblock, their every move followed by assembled media and tour officials.

Perhaps a newbie to beauty routines, Belgian 20-year-old Wickmayer felt obliged to add more touches of scrub to her face, drawing giggles from the gallery.

Women's tennis is no longer simply about athletic excellence.

In today's image-focused times, players also are used in the women's tours marketing campaigns, and it's important to look good playing the game.

"Because of their busy lifestyle, I would recommend they do the facial treatment once a month to keep it healthy and prevent it from aging," Baker said. "They can have it once a week by themselves."

Rezai has no need to visit spas for her facial treatments. "I do it by myself," said the world's No. 44.

Czink, competing a fourth time in Bali, found the chance to pamper herself to her liking.

"It's great," said the Hungarian, who is seeking to improve on her quarterfinal showing in 2006.

At the very least, she will be able to put her best face forward when she takes to the court on Wednesday.

Copyright © 2008 The Jakarta Post - PT Bina Media Tenggara. All Rights Reserved.