Former Tennis Ace Paradorn Begins New Career

Paradorn, who officially retired this year after a chronic wrist injury kept him off the tour for three years, plans to remain involved in tennis but also wanted to indulge a lifelong passion for racing.

He recently entered in the 1000cc superbike category as an amateur in the Pro Series Thailand Championship. "I have loved motorcycle racing since I was young. I have been racing for three years but I’ve just made it official because I have a sponsor," said the 31-year-old Paradorn, who represents the Elf Smart Sports Racing Team.

Paradorn, who is married to a former Miss Universe, has tried his hand at several pursuits since being sidelined from tennis, including starring in a movie, opening a restaurant, selling dietary supplements and racing.

The former Asia no. 1 made a brief comeback last September at the ATP Thailand Open but lost a doubles match. He planned a serious comeback at Wimbledon this year but suffered a motorcycle racing accident in April, injuring both arms and his left leg.

"It was the most serious arm injury of my life. I can still hit the ball but not at the level I would want. I have been away too long from the circuit and I'm not young anymore," he said.

"At the same time I have some businesses and I want to enter motor racing. So I decided to call it a day for tennis."

Paradorn plans to make his official farewell to tennis at this year's Thailand Open in September which he may enter as an amateur. He also will coach promising youngsters and skipper Thailand's Davis Cup team. " I will never feel sorry that I quit tennis because I achieved more than I expected. I'd rather move on and do what I love," he said.

His goals for racing are less ambitious. "I don't aim to be a race champion, top three will do. But my real goal is to become a racing team manager one day."