Dad off team, Paradorn plans a comeback

After a self-confessed ‘‘average’’ year, in which he slumped from a career high of No 11 to 27, Paradorn Srichaphan has ...

After a self-confessed ‘‘average’’ year, in which he slumped from a career high of No 11 to 27, Paradorn Srichaphan has begun to ring the changes. And, to crack the Top 10, his first priority is a change of coach.

That comes as a bit of a shock because one main cause for Paradorn’s success, as publicly known, is his father Chanachai. It was the strictness with which Srichaphan Sr organised his son’s life that Paradorn himself constantly referred to as being the reason for his progress.

However, he’s recognised it’s time to move on and has roped in Atlanta’s TJ Middleton as his coach. The TJ-Paradorn association is now five weeks old and both have come into the first tournament of the year — Chennai Open — straight from Pattaya.

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Paradorn, who enjoyed two good years (2002, 03) on the ATP Tour — the first remembered for being named ATP Most Improved Player, the other for his most winning season — says that the change was to learn ‘‘more techniques.’’ No style change, he adds, ‘‘just working towards mental strength and confidence.’’

On his fourth visit to Chennai, Paradorn accepts that it’s very difficult to maintain one’s position on the tour. ‘‘One has to constantly work on one’s performance’’, he says, ‘‘ and I’ve been working out in the heat more than ever before.’’

Having been Asia’s flagbearer in singles, Paradorn says he’s happy at the progress made by Asians. The first thing that comes to mind is the women’s Olympic gold by the Chinese duo of Ting Li and Tian Tian Sun, and informs that he loves to play in Asia for this reason. ‘‘I would like to see as many Asians play.’’

What about playing in Chennai? ‘‘The red surface is challenging’’, he says.

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There are many challenges he faces this crucial year. For now, he’s hoping to get off to a winning start. ‘‘A win will add confidence, that’s why I keep returning, Chennai has given me a lot.’’

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