Indonesia Sweeps Men’s and Women’s Team Gold at 2025 SEA Games

Indonesian tennis wrote a new chapter of history on Saturday, securing a “double gold” sweep in the men’s and women’s team events at the 33rd SEA Games. In a dramatic day of action at the National Tennis Development Center, both Indonesian squads overcame 0-1 deficits to defeat host nation Thailand 2-1 in their respective finals.

This victory marks the first time in 24 years that Indonesia has claimed gold in both team categories at the same Games, a feat last achieved at the 2001 SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur.

Women’s Team: Defending the Crown

The Indonesian women’s team successfully defended their gold medal from the 2023 Cambodia Games, but they had to dig deep against a resilient Thai squad playing on home soil.

Indonesia found themselves on the back foot early when Priska Madelyn Nugroho fell to Thailand’s top seed, Mananchaya Sawangkaew, in the opening singles rubber (2-6, 4-6). The loss put immense pressure on Janice Tjen, who needed a win in the second singles match to keep Indonesia’s title defense alive.

Tjen delivered a clutch performance, defeating Lanlana Tararudee in three (4-6, 6-4, 6-3) sets to level the tie at 1-1. The decision came down to the final doubles match, where Tjen paired with Grand Slam specialist and team captain Aldila Sutjiadi. The Indonesian duo faced a stern test against Sawangkaew and Peangtarn Plipuech but displayed superior composure in crucial moments, closing out a tight straight-sets victory, 7-5, 7-5, to seal the gold.

Men’s Team: A Comeback for the Ages

The men’s final mirrored the tension of the women’s event. Indonesia fell behind early after Justin Barki lost a grueling three-set battle against Kasidit Samrej (7-6, 4-6, 3-6) in the first singles match.

With the gold medal slipping away, Muhammad Rifqi Fitriadi stepped onto the court for a must-win match against Maximus Jones. In a contest that tested physical and mental limits, Rifqi fought through a three-set marathon, eventually triumphing 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 to force a deciding doubles rubber.

In the finale, the experienced Christopher Rungkat paired with Justin Barki. The duo dominated the Thai pairing of Prucha Isarow and Kasidit Samrej, utilizing sharp net play and tactical serving to win 6-3, 6-3.

A New Era of Dominance

The victories in Nonthaburi reaffirm Indonesia’s status as a tennis powerhouse in Southeast Asia. While the women’s team has enjoyed recent success, the men’s team victory signals a resurgence, led by the veteran leadership of Rungkat and the rising talent of Rifqi and Barki.

“Winning both team golds on away soil, especially against a strong host like Thailand, shows the incredible mental toughness of our athletes,” said an Indonesian team official.

With the team events concluded, the Indonesian contingent will now turn their focus to the individual categories, hoping to add to their medal tally before the Games conclude.