Tennis is one of the most popular sports in Thailand and the country is home to some of the best tennis players in the world. Thailand has produced a long line of top-ranked professional tennis players, including Paradorn Srichaphan, Tamarine Tanasugarn, and Luksika Kumkhum.
These players have achieved success on the international circuit, winning numerous singles and doubles titles. They are also some of the most recognizable athletes in the country, inspiring a new generation of young Thai tennis players.
We’ll take a look at the careers of some of the best tennis players in Thailand.
1. Paradorn Srichaphan
Paradorn Srichaphan was a professional tennis player from Thailand who made history when he became the first Asian to break into the top 10 of the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) world rankings.
He achieved a career high ranking of ninth in the world and earned himself the nickname ‘Ball’ in the process. Srichaphan’s achievements are highly impressive.
He was a trailblazer, setting the standard for future Asian tennis players and inspiring countless others to strive for greatness.
His success demonstrated to the world that Asian athletes can compete at the highest level and achieve excellence. Srichaphan retired from professional tennis in 2009, but his legacy and impact on the sport still remain.
His talent and commitment to the sport will never be forgotten, and he will always be remembered as the first Asian player to enter the ATP’s world top 10.
2. Tamarine Tanasugarn
Tamarine Tanasugarn is an accomplished former tennis player from Thailand. Born in Los Angeles, she began her professional career in 1994 and quickly rose to prominence in both singles and doubles. Her impressive career resulted in a WTA ranking of No.
19, the highest ever achieved by a Thai female player, which she achieved on 13 May 2002. Tanasugarn’s success is a remarkable feat, especially in a sport where you need to be in the top 20 in both singles and doubles.
She managed to achieve the highest ranking of any Thai female player in a sport that is highly competitive.
Her dedication and hard work have made her an inspiration to other female tennis players from Thailand and all over the world. Despite her retirement in 2012, Tamarine Tanasugarn’s legacy lives on.
Her impressive career and accomplishments have made her a role model for aspiring female tennis players everywhere. She has shown that when you put in the effort and dedication, anything is possible.
3. Noppawan Lertcheewakarn
Noppawan “Nok” Lertcheewakarn is a former professional Thai tennis player who achieved great success during her career. In 2009, she made history by becoming the first Thai player to win a junior singles title at the Wimbledon Championships.
This victory was a major milestone for Thai tennis, and it propelled her to even greater heights. At the peak of her career, Lertcheewakarn achieved a career-high WTA ranking of 149 in singles and 97 in doubles.
She was a formidable force on the court, and her accomplishments helped to pave the way for a new generation of Thai tennis players. Her success served as an inspiration to many young athletes, and her legacy lives on in the current generation of tennis stars.
Lertcheewakarn’s career is an example of how dedication and hard work can lead to great success. Her achievements set the stage for a new era of tennis in Thailand, and her legacy will continue to be felt in the years to come.
4. Luksika Kumkhum
Luksika Kumkhum, also known as “Luk”, is a talented Thai tennis player. She began her professional career in 2011, and has since experienced a great deal of success. Over the course of her career, she has achieved impressive results and broken records.
On 19 November 2018, she achieved her career-high singles ranking of world No. 66, the highest-ever ranking for a Thai female tennis player. She also peaked at No. 86 of the WTA doubles rankings on 16 July 2018, which is also a remarkable accomplishment.
Kumkhum is not only a successful tennis player but also an inspiration to many aspiring athletes in Thailand. She has proven that with hard work and dedication, anything is possible.
5. Sanchai Ratiwatana
Sanchai Ratiwatana, also known as Tong, is a professional tennis player from Thailand. After becoming a professional in 2004, Sanchai and his twin brother Sonchat achieved success in the doubles game.
Their first ATP doubles title came in 2007 in their home country of Thailand, winning the Bangkok tournament. They then followed this up with a win at the Chennai Open in India in 2008, securing their second doubles title.
This success is impressive for the pair, as it proved they were capable of winning titles on different surfaces, both in their home country and abroad. Sanchai and Sonchat have since gone on to win more titles, including two ATP Challenger Tour titles in 2017.
These victories have helped cement their reputation as one of the most successful doubles players from Thailand. The Ratiwatana brothers have also enjoyed success in singles play, with Sanchai reaching the quarter-finals of the Ho Chi Minh City Open in 2015.
This impressive achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication the twins put into their game. In conclusion, Sanchai and Sonchat Ratiwatana are two of the most successful doubles players in Thailand.
Their achievements in the ATP and Challenger tours are evidence of the hard work and dedication they have put into the game. The brothers continue to strive for success, and are a great source of inspiration for the younger generation of tennis players in Thailand.
6. Danai Udomchoke
Danai Udomchoke is a professional tennis player from Thailand who was born and still resides in Bangkok. He began his professional career in 1997 and was coached by Jan Stoce during his time as a professional.
Udomchoke is sponsored by Dunlop Sport for his racquets and apparel and achieved his career-best ranking of World No. 77 on the 29th of January 2007. His impressive career spanned over a decade and he is an inspiration to many aspiring professional tennis players in Thailand.
He is a successful athlete who has achieved his goals and has served as an example of what hard work and dedication can achieve.
7. Sonchat Ratiwatana
Sonchat Ratiwatana, commonly known as Ton, is a professional tennis player from Thailand. He is the twin brother of Sanchai Ratiwatana and together they have been successful on the tennis court.
In 2007, the brothers won their first ATP doubles title in Bangkok, in their home country. This was a significant moment for the duo, as it was their first major title and it was won in their home country of Thailand.
The Ratiwatana brothers have since gone on to win several other titles, cementing their place as one of the best doubles teams in the world. They continue to represent Thailand and proudly show off their country’s flag when competing in international tournaments.
8. Kittipong Wachiramanowong
Kittipong Wachiramanowong is a former professional tennis player from Thailand. He has not been active in the professional tennis circuit for a while. Born in Bangkok, he began his career in tennis in his teens and trained hard to become a professional player.
He was very successful in his early career, playing in tournaments across the country and winning several titles.
He was also known to be a very competitive player, which made him a fan favorite in Thailand. Unfortunately, he faced a number of injuries that took him out of the game for long periods of time.
After a few years of trying to get back to playing, Kittipong decided to take a break from tennis and focus on other projects. He remains involved with tennis and is often seen in Thailand supporting young players.
He is greatly respected in the Thai tennis community for his achievements and contributions to the game.
9. Nudnida Luangnam
Nudnida “Chun” Luangnam is a former professional tennis player from Thailand. She was born in Bangkok, which is the capital of Thailand.
Luangnam was active on the professional tennis circuit from 2012 to 2018, with a peak singles ranking of 195 and a peak doubles ranking of 342.
Her career-high WTA rankings in singles were set on 13 May 2013, while her career-high doubles rankings were achieved on 13 November 2017.
She has been praised for her skill and athleticism on the court, and she has become a role model for aspiring female tennis players in Thailand. Luangnam retired from professional tennis in 2018 in order to pursue other interests.
During her time on the circuit, she was a consistent presence in international tournaments, and her success on the court has made her a respected figure in the tennis world.
10. Suchanun Viratprasert
Suchanun Viratprasert was a professional tennis player from Thailand. She had a successful career, reaching a career-high singles ranking of 172 in August 2004. This was an impressive achievement as it put her in the top 200 players in the world.
She also achieved a career-high WTA doubles ranking of 357 on 9 February 2004. This indicates that she was also a strong doubles player. Overall, Suchanun Viratprasert was a very successful tennis player and her achievements will be remembered for a long time.
11. Nungnadda Wannasuk
Nungnadda “Jib” Wannasuk is a former professional tennis player from Thailand. He began playing tennis at a young age, and his dedication to the sport helped him become one of the top players in Thailand.
He won numerous tournaments, including the Thailand Open, the Thailand Open Doubles, and the Thailand Open Mixed Doubles.
He was also a member of the Thailand Davis Cup team. Wannasuk was also a consistent performer on the international stage, competing in tournaments in India, China, Japan, and the United States.
He was well known for his aggressive playing style, which often resulted in exciting matches. He was also known for his sportsmanship, always displaying a great deal of respect for his opponents. Unfortunately, Wannasuk’s career was cut short due to an injury.
He retired from professional tennis in 1991, but his legacy lives on in the sport. He is remembered as one of the greatest players to come out of Thailand, and for his contributions to the sport.
12. Nicha Lertpitaksinchai
Nicha “Eve” Lertpitaksinchai is a former professional tennis player from Thailand who had a successful career in the sport. She achieved her highest WTA rankings in both singles and doubles. On October 24, 2016, she was ranked No.
280 in singles, and on April 21, 2014, she was ranked No. 144 in doubles. These rankings are considered highly impressive and demonstrate her talent and dedication to the sport. Throughout her career, Lertpitaksinchai has had numerous achievements.
She has won several tournaments in Thailand and was the runner-up in the 2014 Thailand Open. She has also competed in the US Open, French Open, Australian Open, and Wimbledon.
She was a finalist in the US Open juniors in 2013 and reached the second round of the French Open qualifiers in 2016. Lertpitaksinchai’s career has been highly successful, and she is considered one of the top players in Thailand.
Her highest rankings show that she is capable of competing at the highest levels of the sport. Her achievements and dedication to the sport have earned her the respect of her peers and fans.
13. Yuttana Charoenphon
Yuttana Charoenphon is a Thai tennis player who has achieved a great level of success in the sport. His career-high singles ranking of 939 was reached on August 8, 2022, and his career high doubles ranking is 1106, which was also achieved on that date.
Charoenphon also represents Thailand in the Davis Cup, the prestigious annual international team tennis tournament. His record in the Davis Cup is quite impressive, with a win-loss record of 1-1.
This demonstrates that he is a talented and competitive tennis player, and that he has the potential to go even further in the sport.
14. Narathorn Srichaphan
Narathorn Srichaphan is a name that will forever be immortalized in the history of professional tennis. He was born in Thailand and was one of the first players from the nation to make a name for himself in the international tennis scene.
His career in professional tennis spanned from 1998 to 2009, during which he managed to reach a career-high singles ranking of 42 in the world.
He also managed to win several singles titles and doubles titles throughout his career, with his most notable accomplishments being reaching the third round of the French Open in 2004 and winning the doubles title at the Thailand Open in 2004. Throughout his career, Narathorn Srichaphan was known for his athleticism and powerful serve.
He was known to be a fierce competitor and often rose to the challenge, often pushing his opponents to their limits.
His hard work and dedication to the sport of tennis helped to put Thailand on the map and he is widely considered to be one of the nation’s greatest tennis players of all time.
He is still remembered fondly by fans of the sport for his great achievements and for inspiring a generation of players from his home country.
15. Wishaya Trongcharoenchaikul
Wishaya Trongcharoenchaikul is a talented Thai professional tennis player. He is a rising star in the sport, and is quickly becoming a household name in tennis circles.
Trongcharoenchaikul has achieved a career high ATP singles ranking of 426 on 14 May 2018, and a career high doubles ranking of 450 on 14 August 2017. These rankings demonstrate his impressive skill level and the potential he has to reach even greater heights.
Trongcharoenchaikul’s success has been driven by his hard work and dedication, and he is sure to continue to be a major player in the world of tennis.
16. Jirat Navasirisomboon
Jirat Navasirisomboon is a professional tennis player from Thailand. He has achieved impressive rankings in both singles and doubles during his career. His highest singles ranking is 816, which he achieved on October 31, 2016.
His highest doubles ranking is 1250, which he achieved on July 3, 2017. Navasirisomboon also proudly represents Thailand in the Davis Cup, a prestigious international tennis tournament.
He is a dedicated and talented player, and his success in both singles and doubles has been admirable. His skill and determination have certainly made an impact on the sport, and he will continue to represent Thailand with pride.
17. Pruchya Isaro
Pruchya Isaro is a talented professional male tennis player from Thailand who is currently competing on the ATP Challenger Tour.
He first achieved a high ranking of 664 in the singles category on 28 May 2018 and then went on to reach an even higher ranking of 312 in the doubles category on 2 February 2015.
Isaro has also represented the Thailand Davis Cup team from 2013 to 2016 and boasts an impressive win-loss record of 12-6 in that time period.
His consistent commitment to competing at the highest level, both nationally and internationally, is a testament to his dedication and passion for tennis.
Isaro is certainly one of the most promising tennis players from Thailand, and has proven his capacity to excel in the sport.
18. Lanlana Tararudee
Lanlana Tararudee is a professional tennis player from Thailand. She achieved her highest WTA singles ranking of 305 on July 24th, 2023 and 546 on the WTA doubles ranking on July 31st, 2023.
With her hard work and dedication, she has been able to win four singles titles on the ITF Women’s Circuit. Tararudee’s success has been hard-earned. She has had to overcome many obstacles to reach her goals.
She has put in countless hours of hard work and dedication to her craft. She trains with a passion, pushing her body to its limits.
Tararudee’s determination and commitment to excellence have made her one of the top tennis players in her country. Tararudee has been a role model for other aspiring tennis players, showing them that with hard work and dedication, anything is possible.
She has set an example for many young athletes who look up to her. Her success has inspired them to pursue their dreams and strive for greatness. Tararudee is an inspiration to all who seek to follow in her footsteps.
Her accomplishments have demonstrated that anything is possible with the right attitude and dedication. Her impressive career has earned her the respect of her peers and the admiration of her fans. She is a true champion in the world of tennis.
19. Varunya Wongteanchai
Varunya “Yuyee” Wongteanchai is a professional tennis player from Thailand. She is the younger sister of Varatchaya Wongteanchai, who also plays on the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Women’s Circuit.
On 3 October 2016, Varunya achieved her highest Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) singles ranking of 616. This was her best performance to date. Additionally, on 9 February 2015, she peaked at No. 216 in the WTA doubles rankings.
This was her highest ranking in the doubles category. Varunya has been playing competitively since she was very young and has consistently improved her game over the years.
Her performances on the ITF circuit have been impressive and her ranking in the WTA singles and doubles categories have been steadily increasing. She is an inspiration to many young aspiring tennis players in Thailand and beyond.
With her dedication and hard work, she is sure to reach the top level of tennis in the near future.
20. Watsachol Sawatdee
Watsachol Sawatdee is a Thai tennis player who has achieved great success in the sport. She currently holds her highest singles ranking on the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) of 692, which was achieved on October 21, 2019.
Her highest doubles ranking on the WTA is 680, which she achieved on December 9, 2019. Sawatdee has also won one doubles title on the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Circuit.
She is an inspiration to tennis players everywhere, as she has worked hard to become one of the top players in her country. Sawatdee is an example of how dedication and hard work can lead to achieving goals in any field of endeavor.
21. Monthika Anuchan
Monthika Anuchan is a former professional tennis player from Thailand. She was a very successful player in her time, having won three medals from the Southeast Asian Games.
She was a part of the Thailand Fed Cup team between 1999 and 2001, representing her country in the tennis world. During this time, she gained a lot of recognition and respect from her peers.
Anuchan was an important role model for Thai tennis players, inspiring many to pursue their dreams and take up the sport. She was an important figure in the Thai tennis community, and her legacy remains today.
22. Marissa Niroj
Marissa Niroj is a former professional tennis player from Thailand who is currently known by her married name, Marissa Kroon. She was a well-known junior tennis player who was ranked in the world top-100.
Her only appearance in the WTA Tour was at the 1997 Pattaya Open, where she achieved her career high singles ranking of 506. Throughout her professional career, she was able to reach a high level of success and make a name for herself in the tennis world.
Her legacy continues to live on, and she is remembered for her impressive tennis skills.
23. Napaporn Tongsalee
Napaporn Tongsalee is a former professional tennis player from Thailand. During her career, she achieved great success in doubles tournaments held on the ITF Women’s Circuit. She was able to win a total of six titles throughout her career.
One of her most impressive wins was at the 2006 Incheon Women’s Challenger, where she and her partner were able to take the title. Additionally, she was able to win the 2006 Ho Chi Minh City and the 2005 Phuket tournaments doubles titles.
Her successes on the court are a testament to her hard work and determination. Tongsalee’s success in doubles demonstrates her skill and talent for the game. Playing with a partner requires communication and trust, which she obviously had in spades.
Her wins are an indication of her ability to form strong partnerships and strategies that allowed her to succeed. Retired from the game, Tongsalee’s accomplishments will remain an inspiration to future generations of tennis players.
Her dedication to the sport, combined with her ability to find success in doubles tournaments, have set a high standard for others to follow. Her legacy will surely be remembered and appreciated for many years to come.
24. Pichittra Thongdach
Pichittra Thongdach is a former professional tennis player from Thailand. She is best known for her performance at the 2003 Pattaya Women’s Open.
Thongdach was able to make the main draw of the tournament as a lucky loser, which is a type of wildcard for players who were not able to qualify for the tournament but are given a spot in the main draw.
Unfortunately, her time in the tournament was short-lived as she was defeated in the first round by Anastasia Rodionova. The match went to three sets, with Rodionova emerging as the victor.
Despite not making it past the first round, Thongdach’s ability to make the main draw of the tournament as a lucky loser was an impressive feat.
25. Thassha Vitayaviroj
Thassha Vitayaviroj is a former professional Thai tennis player. She was one of the top Thai tennis players and achieved great success during her career. Vitayaviroj achieved her highest WTA rankings of 439 in singles on 2 May 2005 and 320 in doubles on 24 April 2006.
These rankings placed her among the elite group of professional tennis players. Vitayaviroj also won five doubles titles on the ITF Women’s Circuit. These titles demonstrate her skill and expertise in the sport of tennis.
She was a role model for many aspiring female tennis players in Thailand and her legacy lives on in the minds of many fans and players alike.
26. Varatchaya Wongteanchai
Varatchaya “Pias” Wongteanchai is a former professional tennis player from Thailand who enjoyed a successful career. She won two doubles titles on the WTA Tour, as well as four singles titles and 31 doubles titles on the ITF Women’s Circuit.
Her hard work and dedication to the sport paid off, as she achieved her highest ranking of world No. 200 on 20 July 2015.
This ranking is an impressive accomplishment and shows her dedication to the sport. Overall, Varatchaya “Pias” Wongteanchai is an excellent example of a professional tennis player from Thailand who achieved great success in her career.
Her impressive win-loss record and ranking of world No. 200 are a testament to her dedication and skill. With her hard work and determination, she was able to become one of the best tennis players in Thailand.
Conclusion
The best tennis players in Thailand are a mix of well-known international players and homegrown talent.
Players like Paradorn Srichaphan, Tamarine Tanasugarn, and Luksika Kumkhum have achieved success on the international stage while rising stars like Wishaya Trongcharoenchaikul, Sonchat Ratiwatana, and Noppawan Lertcheewakarn are making a name for themselves in the local and global tennis circuit.
Thailand has proven itself to be a great source of tennis talent, and the future looks bright for the country’s best players.
