A timeworn line states "The proof of the pudding is in the eating."  Certainly, the best way to gauge the effectiveness or success of a program is to look at the quality of its output or product.

Barely two years (2007) since Mr. Bong Mojica of SMART Sports enlisted the services of coach "Butch" Bacani to start the SMART Sports Age Group Tennis Camp, already Philippine tennis is starting to feel the program's impact.

Recent results of the 2008 PCA Juniors Tournament eloquently speak for the program: championship and runner up honors for the 16 under, 14 under, 12 under and 10 under were snatched by the SMART Sports Age groupers. (See a related story on these winners).

The subject of the following interview, Enah Baba (16), is currently ranked Number Five (5) in the18/ Under Girls Division and Number Ten (10) in the Women’s Division, where the top rank is currently held by Bambi Zoleta. We thank Enah’s mother, Cecile Baba, who helped us put this interview together.

Ethnicity: Japanese Filipino
Age: 16 (Dec 30 1992)
Tennis Idols: Serbians Ana Ivanovic & Jelena Jankovic
Age started playing: 8 years
From: San Pedro, Laguna

PhilTENNIS (PT): How'd you get started?

Enah Baba (EB) - I was a ballet dancer and deeply inclined to do theatre and arts. I loved to sing, played the piano and thought that the stage would be good for me. But my legs were weak and I incurred a lot of bruises whenever I fell when dancing.

Doc's advice was to do some sports to improve strength in my leg muscles, so my mom enrolled me at the Southwoods Tennis Academy. Well, the muscle therapy caused by an accident turned into a passion for the sport I thought I never had.

PT: So what happened at Southwoods, before SMART?

EB: I was eight when I started so it was strictly playing for leisure tennis at Southwoods. This went on fast in the next two years. Tennis was a recreational and a fitness routine that became a habit by my fourth year of playing.

I started playing at Makati Sports Club four times a week.  Last year I started playing every day after school (two to three hours a day) including weekends until two in the afternoon. Last year, I joined the summer SMART SPORTS Age group tennis camp. I started playing competitive tennis and really joined tournaments.

PT: Tell us what happened when you started competing.

EB:  I guess I did not do very badly and my years of playing really paid off although it was mostly for recreational reasons. I learned the fundamentals early and had enough lead time to groove the basic moves. But I had to learn how to compete and win.

I learned from Coach Butch Bacani that it takes a lot more than just doing the basic movements to win a game, or a tournament. Beyond the physical preparation, I am now learning that the mental preparation counts a lot more as one becomes more competitive.  So now I am ranked number 5 in the women's 18 and below and #6 in 16 and below. In the Women's Division, I am now ranked #10.

PT:  How did you do at the PCA and other Juniors Championship?

EB:  I was champion at the PCA Juniors 18 and under held last November 2007. At the Escudero Cup last year (2007) I won the 16 under and was runner up at the 18 under. In the (2006) Escudero Cup, I was Runner up in the 16 under and Champion in the 18 and under.

PT: How has tennis impacted your life? Did it change you?

EB:  Of course it did and in a big way. Without it I do not know where I would be now but I like where I am right now. My mom has a lot to do with what I have achieved so far in my life. It was she who encouraged me and supported me all the way. I would rather be playing than singing, dancing or acting on the stage.  Tennis is my life now. Well, it is for now.

PT: What about your school work? Did it not suffer? High school is supposed to be the most fun, for students.

EB:  I sure missed a lot of socials in high school. I was busy. When I started playing everyday, my mom made sure I did not fall behind academically by helping me with my schoolwork. We worked as a team. When I have to do research, she acted as my research assistant so I will not miss or sacrifice training. The competitive spirit and mind set I had to develop in this sport spilled over my academic work. I developed a work ethic. So I am also doing very well in my school as a result.

I am now a senior at Colegio de San Agustin high school of Biñan, Laguna with a GPA of 92. Because of tennis, I now have four scholarship offers for college.

PT: Can you describe your study habits? How to you keep on your toes at school?

EB: I think I'm doing pretty well in school too; my general average in school is 90-91. I study hard when there is a test; I pass all my requirements on time and listen to the teacher well. I am usually absent in school so I have to do a lot of make up projects and tests.

PT: Do you think keeping your grades up is important? Why?

EB: Yes, it is very important to keep your grades high. Because tennis could help you have a scholarship at any prestigious school you want BUT you just need to pass the test. If you don't keep your grades high, how could you learn and pass the test.

And when you are already pass your peak in your tennis career and you are not good in school or you are not going to school, then you'll have no fall back. What's the point of having high rankings, winning all the championships if your brain has nothing in it to help you in other aspects of life like your work career or how you handle the people around you?

Basically, we are playing tennis to get a school scholarship 'cause it's pretty much impossible to go pro here in the Philippines then just use tennis to have a great future in your schooling.

PT: OK, but I am sure there were downsides too, weren't there?

EB:  Of course, nothing works 100% all the time. I also complain and sometimes fight with my mom. I am a teenager, so I want to do things that normal teenagers do. But I am lucky to have a mom who is my friend, my date, my tutor and my everything rolled into one.

Training takes up a lot of my time and a lot of hard physical work too. That is a fact of life that I have learned to accept as an athlete. As a matter of fact, I have learned to live with my routine and I do not feel I am missing anything when I spend my time at the tennis court. I meet new friends and I do not really like to go to parties because I do not like to stay up late so I could wake up early and play. I do not miss hanging out in the malls or socializing in school. I am ok hanging out with my mom. Do you think I am weird?

PT: How would you describe your social life? What do you do when you're not studying or playing tennis?

EB: I don't usually go out with friends a lot because after school I need to go to the tennis court right away and train. But I still manage to have a lot of good friends because when I have some free time my mom also allows me to go out with friends but there are limits, like 2 times a month. When I am not playing tennis or studying I usually use the computer a lot, I like to surf the net, learn new things and add write ups in my blog. Sometimes, I just sit in our couch and watch a lot of movies in our DVD because I really love movies.

PT: What would you consider as the highlight of your young tennis career so far?

EB:  I am excited and felt very honored when Babolat sponsored me starting January 2008. Other sponsorships came my way like Accel for whom I also a model. My latest supporter is Smart Sports.

Since I started to play competitively, I gained a lot of confidence and I'm more disciplined compared to my other classmates and associates. I feel very good and strong as a result of my regimen. I guess I am healthier!

PT: Most tennis players have a signature move; they favor their forehand, serve, backhand or speed. What would you say would be your signature move on the tennis court at this point?

EB:  Well, I think my signature move would be my backhand. It is consistent and I can easily add power and spin on it.

PT: What would your ideal diet be? Any health tips?

EB: My diet really is more on the calcium and dairy foods, like milk, cheese, yogurt for me o grow taller. I drink milk like I'm drinking water.  I eat a lot of carbohydrates o store up energy in my body. When there is a tournament coming I usually eat a lot of steaks and potatoes. And of course drink lots of water before the tournament so that you wouldn't be dehydrated during the tournament.

During the tournament I don't burgers and other meaty foods because it takes a long time to burn. Instead, I eat a lot of bread and pasta and also salads. Chocolates, junk food and soda are a big No-No, because it makes you lazy and is very bad for an athlete’s body. I also eat this junk but very rarely. I don't drink sodas at all. Well, my tip is that stay away from all those junk because it won't do you any good but rather eat a lot of carbohydrates, green leafy vegetables and drink your MILK!

PT: Any message to aspiring tennis players?

EB:  To the aspiring tennis players out there: just believe in yourselves and never let other people bring you down. It’s better to be hard working than talented. Just work hard and sooner or later, you will get there.

PT: Any future plans?

EB:  I would like to take a year off from school to get ITF (International Tennis Federation) points. It's at the ITF JR. Circuit where all pros start. I look forward to get an opportunity to get a tennis scholarship in the United States.

PT: Mommy’s Post Interview comments?

Cecile Baba: Developing an athlete like my daughter entails a lot of both emotional and financial support from parents. It also entails a lot of time and sacrifice from us parents. But I don't regret any of our efforts and hard work. Right now we’re enjoying the fruits of our labor.

More than a good tennis player, we have a well rounded young lady, a good person who is our daughter. Parents should encourage their kids to be in sports. It gives them discipline, builds character and confidence.

PT:  Amen and go for it!