'Ball' looks forward to biggest day

By Lerpong Amsa-ngiam

Paradorn Srichaphan might have no matches to play for the rest of the season, but he has loads of off-court errands to keep him fully occupied before his wedding.

Still nursing a nagging wrist injury, the groom-to-be has so many things to do for the biggest day in his life when he will marry Canadian Natalie Glebova, the 2005 Miss Universe.

The guest list still has to be completed and the invitation cards printed, while the wedding venue has yet to be chosen.

Being so busy making arrangements, the former world No 9 has to delay returning to the tennis circuit.

"Everything is going just fine. We will have a normal wedding, nothing huge like everyone expects,'' said Paradorn, who has been taking a break to heal his tendonitis since March.

Rumours had spread through the Internet and tabloids that their romance had turned sour and the wedding might not happen. But the couple have just had a wedding photo-shoot in a studio, underlining their bonds are still strong.

"She is happy. We have lots of fun together,'' said Paradorn.

The day they will say "I do" is set for November 29 in Bangkok. VIP guests will include reigning Miss Universe Riyo Mori from Japan and two former top 10 players, Tommy Haas and Nicholas Kiefer from Germany.

Despite his absence from the upcoming Thailand Open, Paradorn plans to deliver wedding invitations to fellow players. For him, it's agony to skip the home tournament where he dreams of lifting a trophy in front of his fans.

"It's a pity that I have to give a pass it this year. But fans still have big names like Raphael Nadal and Novak Djokovic to root for. I suggest fans go and watch these guys,'' said the two-time semi-finalist of the country's only ATP Tour event.

As tennis is in his blood, "Super Ball" cannot help catching up with "who is hot, who is not" at the ongoing US Open, where he reached the fourth round in 2003.

"I miss the Tour and imagine that I was there. Hopefully, I can get back to the Tour as soon as possible." But the five-time ATP Tour winner is still nursing a wrist injury. "The wrist is coming along slowly. It's getting better, but I'm not going to play until next year. And I'm not going to rush,'' said the currently 110th-ranked player, whose earliest comeback event could be the Australian Open in January next year.

Paradorn believes he still has the game and the ammunition to return to the elite group. "It's a challenge to do well again after the injury. Hopefully I will get back into the top 50 again."

Source: The Nation