Paradorn waiting for 'red shirt special'
Monday, 13 January, 2003
by Kevin Diggerson
Paradorn Srichaphan hopes to be wearing his red shirt during the Australian
Open. The brilliant Srichaphan, who rose to No.18 in the 2002 ATP Champions
race after winning in Sydney last week, dons his one and only red shirt on
finals day and believes that the colour brings him luck when he needs it most.
"It means winning, the colour (red)," Srichaphan explained after his first up
7-5, 6-4, 1-6, 6-0 win over Jurgen Melzer in the opening match on Rod Laver
Arena.
"The story started in Washington. I was playing the final and the Thai people
were wearing the red colour on Sundays and that day I was playing the final.
That day, about 250 Thai people were all wearing red, sitting together. I won
at Long Island a week after that, wearing the red shirt.
"I have just one (red) shirt to play in a match and I am always winning in
that shirt so I just try to finish it off with that red shirt. I have many
wins with that red shirt."
Srichaphan's first up victory suggests that the No. 11 seed could be on track
to record his best performance in the event that he considers his home Grand
Slam. Australian Open 2003 is known as the Grand Slam of Asia/Pacific, a move
that Srichaphan feels is an accurate reflection of the tournament's standing
in the region.
"Australia and Asia are really close to each other. It's really close to Asia
and close to Thailand and a lot of Asian people are here," he said.
"When I am on court I feel like a lot of people want to see me playing and
see how this guy plays."
Srichaphan's success has seen numerous changes for him in his native Thailand.
He has been excused from military service and gone are the days of walking
unnoticed through the mall or enjoying a quiet dinner.
"It's a big change when I go back home. A lot of people recognize me they
always asking for the autograph. Everybody is coming to me and asking for
autograph even asking to talk on the phone to their family," he said.
While some may rail against the perceived invasion of privacy, Srichaphan is
more than happy to accept that it goes with the territory, even blocking out
pressure of having to carry a nation's hopes on his racquet.
"I feel great. They are proud for me that I am doing well and they really
respect me a lot. It's been great. A lot people are talking, that Paradorn is
going to be under pressure because he's been doing well for the past six
months. I try to enjoy myself, having fun on court, because win or loss it's
just a game."
Srichaphan overcame a troublesome blister to beat Melzer, and will face
either local star Mark Philippoussis or Dutchman Martin Verkerk in the
second-round.
Either way, he's looking forward to the challenge of advancing past the
second-round at Melbourne Park for the first time.
"It's tough second-round, with Philippoussis or Martin Verkerk. If
Philippoussis wins tonight I got to play him on Wednesday. I am looking
forward to a good match and just try to enjoy the match."
Win or lose at the Australian Open, Srichaphan understands that he has
blazed a trail for other aspiring players from the Asian region, a fact
that obviously gives him great satisfaction.
"It's a lot more young kids starting to play. The tennis equipment sales are
much better.
"I am sure in a few years I will say there will be upcoming (players), but I
can't say when," he said.
"This would give them some idea (that they can do it). If (I) can do this,
they can also do this. When I was young I was always looking up to Michael
Chang, thinking if he can do it, I can do it."
And there is no doubt that when those players rise through the ranks and
regularly claiming tournament victories, they will be doing so in the same
red shirts that Srichaphan hopes to be wearing on Sunday week.
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雖然老張沒能參加澳網，但有個亞洲同種後輩也以他為激勵繼續向前…
不過Srichaphan的大賽經驗還不夠，上回在美網與Rusedski也是在第五盤中狂洩…才又回
神。
今天的第三盤真是小誇張…但願他能穩住腳步，不求他能摘下冠軍，只求他能打得愈後面
愈好…
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