Thailand hope to regain their dominance in Southeast Asian tennis when the sport returns to the SEA Games to be held in Singapore next month.
Tennis was axed from the previous tournament in 2013 in Myanmar because the hosts did not have adequate facilities.
At the 2011 SEA Games in Indonesia, the hosts claimed four golds while Thailand got only two in the women’s doubles and team events.
Seven gold medals will be up for grabs at the 28th SEA Games and Suwat Liptapanlop, president of the Lawn Tennis Association of Thailand (LTAT), believes his players are good enough to get a lion’s share.
“We are aiming to be the most successful team at the SEA Games like we were at the 2009 tournament in Laos,” he said.
The team will be led by veterans Danai Udomchoke and Tamarine Tanasugarn.
The other men’s players are twins Sonchat and Sanchai Ratiwatana, Kittipong Wachiramanowong and Warit Sornbutnark.
Tamarine’s teammates include Luksika Kumkhum and Varatchaya Wongteanchai.
Luksika won silver in the singles and partnered Tamarine to win gold in the doubles at last year’s Asian Games.
Luksika is the top seed and Varatchaya the second seed at the Singapore tournament.
Team manager Vichate Teepakakorn said: “We aim to take home at least four gold medals. Indeed, we could sweep all seven gold medals. We will first try to win the men’s and women’s team events as this will boost our players’ confidence in the remaining events.”
Coach Paradorn Srichaphan said all players looked confident and fit for the SEA Games.
“They look fit physically and mentally. Danai is our best bet in the men’s singles while Sonchat and Sanchai should win the men’s doubles title,’’ said the former world No.9 player.
Kittipong said: “I am looking forward to the SEA Games and will try to win in every event I take part in.”
Luksika said: “I don’t have any pressure although I am the top seed in this tournament.”
But she is cautious about her chance of winning every event. “I am the top seed but this will be my first SEA Games and I can’t say that I will win every event,’’ she said.