INCHEON, South Korea – Katharina Melissa Lehnert may have lost her Asian Games debut, but won the admiration of the crowd.
The pretty Fil-German, whose mother Imelda Lungsod hails from Rosario, La Union, drew loud cheers not only for her pretty looks but also for her gutsy stand against Korea's top player Jang Sujeong before yielding a heartbreaking straight sets loss, 6-3, 7-5, on Sunday at the Yeorumul Tennis Court here.
The 20-year-old Lehnert pushed Jang to the limit in the second set but missed on the chance to force a deciding third set when she committed a double fault, squandering her advantage with the score tied at 5-all.
"I tried my best here. Sometimes you have to take risks especially she was playing good. Maybe I risked too much," Lehnert said. "But I will learn from this."
The big crowd in the show court really got into the game especially during long rallies which Lehnert won where she flashed her signature shriek at her opponent.
"I developed that when I turned pro trying to scare my opponent," Lehnert said.
With her charming looks, fans have been following Katharina Lehnert for photo-ops at the 17th Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea. Alder Almo
There were high hopes for Lehnert after she won bronze in the singles play and silver in the team event in the last Southeast Asian Games.
Despite losing her Asiad debut, a crowd followed her wherever she went asking for photo-ops and her autograph.
"It's good. I enjoy and I like it here," said Lehnert, not minding the extra attention she's getting in the tournament.
But Lehnert, who is fast gaining a reputation to be the Philippines' tennis sweetheart for her looks and promising talents, would like to focus on tennis.
"I'm concentrating on tennis. I play professionally in Germany. But I'm open to do modeling (gigs) if a good offer comes along," Lehnert said.
She still has a chance to bring home medal when she competes in the individual event on Wednesday.
After the Asian Games, Lehnert will fly back to Philippines for two days before going back to Germany.
"I will practice [for the 2015 tournaments] and get more muscle," Lehnert said.
WATCH: Interview with Katharina Lehnert
She might return to the Philippines later this year if she gets invited to the International Tennis Premier League (ITPL) Manila leg at the end of November where Maria Sharapova, Andy Murray and her Phl national teammate Treat Huey banner the Manila Mavericks team.