Thai veteran Tamarine Tanasugarn has set her sights on winning a place at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
Tamarine Tanasugarn.
The 37-year-old, who was last month named by the Sports Authority of Thailand as the country's best female athlete for 2014, said she was happy with her performance last year, when he won the gold medal in the women's doubles at the 17th Asian Games.
Ranked No.252 in the world, Tamarine hopes to improve throughout the year and reach the top 50 in the world by the begining of 2016.
That would earn her an automatic place at the Olympic Games. If successful it will be her fifth appearance at the Olympics, following the 1996, 2000, 2004 and 2012 tournaments. It would make her the first Thai athlete to appear at five Olympics.
Two other Thais have appeared at four Olympics: Somluck Kamsing (1992, 1996, 2000 and 2004) and Nantana Komwong (2000, 2004, 2008 and 2012).
Tamarine, though, admitted her goal would prove challenging.
"This year, I will do my best to reach the top 100 and then the next target is the top 50," she said.
"At my age, it is not easy. But I will give all I can. I am really in good shape this year and I do not have any plan to retire in the near future."
Aside from professional competition, Tamarine will also represent Thailand, starting with the Fed Cup tie in Guangdong, China from Feb 4-7. After that, she will play at the Pattaya Open from Feb 9-15.