Birthdate: 6/14/1979
Height: 6'1'' (185 cm)
Weight: 180 lbs (81 kg)
Birthplace: Bangkok, Thailand
Residence: Bangkok, Thailand
Plays: Right-handed
Turned Pro: 1997
Current ATP Race Position: 27
Career Review
Singles Record: 155 - 112
Singles Titles: 5
Double Titles: 0
Prize Money: $2,195,876
Singles Career Titles (5)
2002--Long Island, Stockholm;
2003--Chennai, Long Island;
2004--Nottingham
Finalist (4)
2002--Chennai, Washington;
2003--Indianapolis;
2004--Chennai
2004 Highlights
Singles Winner: Nottingham
Singles Finalist: Chennai
Quarterfinalist: London/Queen's Club, Indianapolis
Personal
Nicknamed "Ball" in his native country...Began playing tennis at age six with his father, Chanachai, who quit his bank job to coach his son...Mother, Ubon, is a school teacher...Finished No. 10 in world junior rankings in 1996...At Southeast Asia Games in Brunei in 1999, came away as a triple gold medalist, winning singles, doubles (w/older brother Naratorn) and team categories...Also has an older brother, Tanakorn...Considers groundstrokes as strength and hard courts as favorite surface...Hobbies include car racing and watching Thai kickboxing...Believes in touching the ground where he plays for good luck and says, "I pick up the grass if I have time before the match. I put it in my pocket."...Got the idea from the Pope...Has made tradition of dining with Thai ambassador in countries where he plays...Says red is his "lucky color and it's like the winning color for Thai people. That's why I'm starting to wearing it."...He first started wearing a red shirt in Washington, where he made the final..."When I put the red shirt on, that means I'm going to finish the match, and I'm going to win the match," he added...In November 2002, became a cultural ambassador for his country and was issued a red diplomatic passport from Thai Prime Minister...Named "Thai of the Year," in 2002, ahead of several pop stars and politicians, by a survey in his country...Earned a spot on cover of Time Asia's magazine in April 2003 and chosen as one of its 29 Asian heroes for 2003... A member of Thailand's Davis Cup team since 1998 and has a 25-7 career record (23-5 in singles) in 15 ties...Named ATP Most Improved Player and recipient of Edberg Sportsmanship Award in 2002...Coached by his father, Chanachai (pronounced CHAN-uh-shy), who is Thailand's Davis Cup captain.
(chinaopen.cn September 10, 2004)
