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Ambassador Srichaphan Leads the Way
Tuesday, June 10, 2003
When Paradorn Srichaphan of Thailand defeated Andre Agassi, in a shock win over the 1992 singles champion during last year’s Championships, he was thrust into the spotlight as a figurehead not just for his country, but also for Asia as a whole (where tennis is a rapidly growing sport).
It has been a hectic year for Srichaphan, who will be 24 on June 14. Two tournament victories and two runner-ups helped pave the way as he became the first Thai to became the first player from Asia to finish in the top 20 since India's Vijay Armitraj in 1980. If that wasn’t enough, in November Srichaphan was made a cultural ambassador and given a diplomatic passport.
Despite the time difference, Wimbledon hugely popular in Asia and his success during last year’s Championships was well received across the continent. "Asians hold Wimbledon in high esteem and it is great for the kids to have someone to look up to."
The 6ft1in and 12st12lb Srichaphan feels his chances of making another impression at the All England Club will be aided by keeping a busy schedule in the build-up. He said: "Everyone is after me a bit on the tour this year after my successes last year but I keep confident by playing lots of matches. That's when I play my best tennis."
But, while Srichaphan can set major goals, he has the advantage of many from his continent because of his height and physicality, says Uthra Shunmugam, executive director of the Asian Tennis Federation.
He said: "We have smaller physical attributes which means we lack power in a power game. There's also the problem of inadequate tournaments, although this is improving, and the travel costs are too high."
He feels it will be difficult for Asia to rival those continents already dominant in tennis, particularly on the men's singles circuit, because of these limitations.
"I do not think we have the numbers to match them and the culture for sport is very different, although it has been seen we have got a couple of players who on their day can match the best in the world.
"Look at last year. Apart from the scalping of Agassi by Paradorn there was nothing too exciting on the world circuit from us.
"I don't think we will achieve much more than we did last year in singles and Mahesh Bhupathi and Leander Paes, from India, have split."
Shunmugam feels Wimbledon might reflect this in the male-only competitions.
He said: "I think Paradorn's effort against Agassi was a flash in the pan. I don't see anybody, in general, coming through this year, although Hyung-Taik Lee, from Korea has no doubt done exceedingly well."
Even the boys' singles, in which Paes, in 1990, followed a host of Asian champions in the event that included father and son Ramanathan and Ramesh Krishnan, is not ripe for success, says Shunmugam. "We haven't a junior who can cause a surprise,” he said.
Shunmugam is more positive about the chances of Asian women at Wimbledon which has a tradition of reasonable achievement in recent years.
In the girls' singles, Thai Tamarine Tanasugarn (1995), Uzbekistan's Iroda Tulyaganova (1999) and Indonesian Angelique Widjaja (2001) have emerged champions.
And Japan's Kimiko Date reached the semi-finals of the senior event in 1996 when compatriot Ai Sugiyama, who has beaten Steffi Graf, Mary Pierce, Jennifer Capriati and Martina Hingis, reached the last 16.
Shunmugam said: "Ai Sugiyama has done well and Tamarine Tanasugarn has consistently reach the fourth round of Wimbledon over the last few years."
He feels Asia's best bet is hinted at in the success of Asian players in mixed doubles. Paes combined with Lisa Raymond to take the Wimbledon title in 1999 and the Australian Open with Martina Navratilova this year. Meanwhile, Bhupathi took the Wimbledon title last year with Elena Likhovtseva.
He said that the advantages for Asians is that their “excellent racket work, good hands and court craft which can be used in doubles which doesn't rely so much on power. Paes, with Navratilova, can make an impact this year."
Shunmugam has a sense of perspective; pragmatic rather than pessimistic. And he believes Asian tennis is moving forward.
He said: "There is no doubt that the quality and quantity has risen quite dramatically over the last five years. National associations are now more professional than they were a couple of years ago and they are doing much to promote tennis at grassroots level.
"Considering the diversity of the Asian region and the standards, we are making progress.
Development is pretty fast in some countries, like Uzbekistan, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Japan, Korea, Chinese Taipai and China.
"Asia has a lot of potential and is a growing sport. I know the tennis world hopes it will come through as it will be good for the sport.
"The fact it has so much scope makes my job very exciting. It gives me a lot of joy."
Shunmugam, based in Singapore, is looking forward to return to Wimbledon.
"I've been going there for 14 years. It is my favourite Grand Slam and I have a lot of personal friends there."
He will enjoy the social side and hopes on court activities will give him a few reasons to maintain Asian tennis is moving forward. And maybe Srichaphan might surprise him and inspire a few more to follow him.
Written by Mike Donovan
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Srichaphan Survives Scare
Monday, June 23, 2003
Paradorn Srichaphan, who defeated Andre Agassi at Wimbledon last year, came close to becoming the victim of a shock loss himself at The Championships today.
The Thai, seeded 12, surrendered a two set lead over Dominik Hrbaty of Slovakia before pulling out a 6-3, 6-4, 4-6, 3-6, 6-3 victory.
Srichaphan became an Asian icon following his success against American veteran Agassi. But his form has stuttered this year - just four weeks ago Hrbaty, unseeded at Wimbledon, defeated the him on clay at the French Open in Paris.
Yet Court 2, so often the graveyard of favourites, seemed to smile on Srichaphan as he raced to a two set advantage. His serve was in fine working order and his powerful groundstrokes showed consistent accuracy.
But he faltered, presenting Hrbaty, who had won only one match at Wimbledon in six previous visits, with the third set on a double fault. The Thai appeared to grow distracted, particularly when Hrbaty asked for and was granted a replayed point after a loud, overruled line call.
The Slovakian sustained the momentum swing in his favour long enough to level the match. Srichaphan then regained his composure and his grip on the encounter through steady play at the baseline.
Written by Mike Donovan
Tuesday, June 10, 2003
When Paradorn Srichaphan of Thailand defeated Andre Agassi, in a shock win over the 1992 singles champion during last year’s Championships, he was thrust into the spotlight as a figurehead not just for his country, but also for Asia as a whole (where tennis is a rapidly growing sport).
It has been a hectic year for Srichaphan, who will be 24 on June 14. Two tournament victories and two runner-ups helped pave the way as he became the first Thai to became the first player from Asia to finish in the top 20 since India's Vijay Armitraj in 1980. If that wasn’t enough, in November Srichaphan was made a cultural ambassador and given a diplomatic passport.
Despite the time difference, Wimbledon hugely popular in Asia and his success during last year’s Championships was well received across the continent. "Asians hold Wimbledon in high esteem and it is great for the kids to have someone to look up to."
The 6ft1in and 12st12lb Srichaphan feels his chances of making another impression at the All England Club will be aided by keeping a busy schedule in the build-up. He said: "Everyone is after me a bit on the tour this year after my successes last year but I keep confident by playing lots of matches. That's when I play my best tennis."
But, while Srichaphan can set major goals, he has the advantage of many from his continent because of his height and physicality, says Uthra Shunmugam, executive director of the Asian Tennis Federation.
He said: "We have smaller physical attributes which means we lack power in a power game. There's also the problem of inadequate tournaments, although this is improving, and the travel costs are too high."
He feels it will be difficult for Asia to rival those continents already dominant in tennis, particularly on the men's singles circuit, because of these limitations.
"I do not think we have the numbers to match them and the culture for sport is very different, although it has been seen we have got a couple of players who on their day can match the best in the world.
"Look at last year. Apart from the scalping of Agassi by Paradorn there was nothing too exciting on the world circuit from us.
"I don't think we will achieve much more than we did last year in singles and Mahesh Bhupathi and Leander Paes, from India, have split."
Shunmugam feels Wimbledon might reflect this in the male-only competitions.
He said: "I think Paradorn's effort against Agassi was a flash in the pan. I don't see anybody, in general, coming through this year, although Hyung-Taik Lee, from Korea has no doubt done exceedingly well."
Even the boys' singles, in which Paes, in 1990, followed a host of Asian champions in the event that included father and son Ramanathan and Ramesh Krishnan, is not ripe for success, says Shunmugam. "We haven't a junior who can cause a surprise,” he said.
Shunmugam is more positive about the chances of Asian women at Wimbledon which has a tradition of reasonable achievement in recent years.
In the girls' singles, Thai Tamarine Tanasugarn (1995), Uzbekistan's Iroda Tulyaganova (1999) and Indonesian Angelique Widjaja (2001) have emerged champions.
And Japan's Kimiko Date reached the semi-finals of the senior event in 1996 when compatriot Ai Sugiyama, who has beaten Steffi Graf, Mary Pierce, Jennifer Capriati and Martina Hingis, reached the last 16.
Shunmugam said: "Ai Sugiyama has done well and Tamarine Tanasugarn has consistently reach the fourth round of Wimbledon over the last few years."
He feels Asia's best bet is hinted at in the success of Asian players in mixed doubles. Paes combined with Lisa Raymond to take the Wimbledon title in 1999 and the Australian Open with Martina Navratilova this year. Meanwhile, Bhupathi took the Wimbledon title last year with Elena Likhovtseva.
He said that the advantages for Asians is that their “excellent racket work, good hands and court craft which can be used in doubles which doesn't rely so much on power. Paes, with Navratilova, can make an impact this year."
Shunmugam has a sense of perspective; pragmatic rather than pessimistic. And he believes Asian tennis is moving forward.
He said: "There is no doubt that the quality and quantity has risen quite dramatically over the last five years. National associations are now more professional than they were a couple of years ago and they are doing much to promote tennis at grassroots level.
"Considering the diversity of the Asian region and the standards, we are making progress.
Development is pretty fast in some countries, like Uzbekistan, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Japan, Korea, Chinese Taipai and China.
"Asia has a lot of potential and is a growing sport. I know the tennis world hopes it will come through as it will be good for the sport.
"The fact it has so much scope makes my job very exciting. It gives me a lot of joy."
Shunmugam, based in Singapore, is looking forward to return to Wimbledon.
"I've been going there for 14 years. It is my favourite Grand Slam and I have a lot of personal friends there."
He will enjoy the social side and hopes on court activities will give him a few reasons to maintain Asian tennis is moving forward. And maybe Srichaphan might surprise him and inspire a few more to follow him.
Written by Mike Donovan
Srichaphan Survives Scare
Monday, June 23, 2003
Paradorn Srichaphan, who defeated Andre Agassi at Wimbledon last year, came close to becoming the victim of a shock loss himself at The Championships today.
The Thai, seeded 12, surrendered a two set lead over Dominik Hrbaty of Slovakia before pulling out a 6-3, 6-4, 4-6, 3-6, 6-3 victory.
Srichaphan became an Asian icon following his success against American veteran Agassi. But his form has stuttered this year - just four weeks ago Hrbaty, unseeded at Wimbledon, defeated the him on clay at the French Open in Paris.
Yet Court 2, so often the graveyard of favourites, seemed to smile on Srichaphan as he raced to a two set advantage. His serve was in fine working order and his powerful groundstrokes showed consistent accuracy.
But he faltered, presenting Hrbaty, who had won only one match at Wimbledon in six previous visits, with the third set on a double fault. The Thai appeared to grow distracted, particularly when Hrbaty asked for and was granted a replayed point after a loud, overruled line call.
The Slovakian sustained the momentum swing in his favour long enough to level the match. Srichaphan then regained his composure and his grip on the encounter through steady play at the baseline.
Written by Mike Donovan
