SINGAPORE, May 22  — The Singapore Tennis Association will be fielding a team of nine SEA Games debutants, but despite their obvious disadvantage in experience, some of the players believe their underdog status could be a blessing in disguise.

“There won’t be as much expectations on us because of our young age. This can work in our favour... We can play freely as we have nothing to lose, whereas the pressure will be on our opponents because they are expected to beat us,” said Shaheed Alam, 17.

“We aren’t scared of taking on higher-ranked players. Ranking is just a number.”

The men’s squad, which comprises four junior under-18 players including Shaheed, took part in the Davis Cup earlier this month and finished unbeaten to ensure promotion to Group Three of the Asia/Oceania zone next year.

The tournament saw Singapore secure victories over the likes of Oman, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates, and the results have given the Republic a morale boost ahead of the SEA Games, said national player Roy Hobbs.

“We are confident in ourselves and although we know it’s going to be tough, we will try to win every game,” said Hobbs, 25.

“Our team is pretty solid and winning a medal at this Games would be a step in the right direction for the sport in Singapore.”

But more importantly, the biennial Games will serve as a valuable development platform, said Angeline Devi Devanthiran, 19, who will team up with Wee Khee Yen, 20, in the women’s doubles.

“We are a very young team and can benefit from playing in such major competitions early on in our careers,” she said.

“They (the Thais and Indonesians) might have more experience, but ... I believe we have what it takes to beat them. It all depends on the luck of the draw as well.”

The last time tennis was included at the Games was in the 2011 Indonesian Games, where the host nation and Thailand won four and two events, respectively.

The two countries are expected to dominate the competition again this year — the Thais have reportedly set a target of completing a clean sweep of the seven gold medals on offer.

Singapore’s best showing at the SEA Games was a solitary bronze medal in the men’s team event at the 1995 edition in Chiang Mai. — TODAY