Four years removed from his crowning Olympic achievement, that of carrying the Thai flag in the Parade of Nations at the Athens Olympic Games, Paradorn Srichaphan found himself airborne on a flight from Miami to Washington, D.C., preparing to take part in the Fifth Annual Asian Festival in Reston, Virginia Saturday.
The event, sponsored in part by the Thai Tennis Organization in America (TTOA), his official fan club, promotes the sport of tennis as well as Asian culture through a variety of activities, with this year’s theme surrounding the Beijing Olympic Games.
Srichaphan was in Reston, just 20 miles away from the nation’s capital, in part to promote the festival, where he attended a block party and participated in a tennis exhibition, as well as to catch up with fellow players from the professional circuit.
“Actually I came with my wife one week ago to Miami and now we are in D.C. where they will have the Legg Mason [Tennis Classic]. Some of my friends will be playing here so I would love to see them,” he said in an interview.
The 29-year-old, who reached a career high ranking of No. 9 in the world in May 2003, no doubt looks back at Athens with fond memories, but after being sidelined with an injury now for 17 months, he is far removed from the Beijing Games and looks ahead to the long road back to the professional circuit.
Srichaphan’s last competitive match was at Miami last year, where he retired against Luis Horna with a right wrist injury. He underwent surgery in October 2007 in Los Angeles, but the problem has not subsided.
“It’s about 70 percent back,” he said from the festival the Saturday before Washington.
“I haven’t hit for some time because it still hurts a little bit so I am going to see a doctor Monday in Boston.”
The cause of pain could be scar tissue, but is still unknown. Srichaphan, known for his muscular physique, has maintained a fitness regimen despite not being able to practice on the court.
“I haven’t played for a year but I have been doing a lot of working out, five days a week.”
He plans to resume on-court training in November and make a return to the Tour by the beginning of 2009.
“Actually I hope to come back next year, around the Australian Open, hopefully.”
Currently unranked and flying under the radar, Srichaphan, who shot to meteoric fame in Asia in 2002, has found solace in his home life in Bangkok, where he shares his life and a palatial home with his wife, Miss Universe 2005 Natalie Glebova.
“I think it’s great. It’s a new thing for me. We get along well and I love it,” he said of marriage.
The couple, who will celebrate their one year anniversary in November, return home to Bangkok on Wednesday.