Hua Hin: For the quartet of celebrated stars led by world No.5 Agnieszka Radwanska, it is time to cook and savour some phad thai and tom yam goong before the rigours of the World Tennis Thailand Championship commence this afternoon.
From left, Agnieszka Radwanska, Venus Williams, Angelique Kerber and Sara Errani at yesterday's press conference.
Joining Radwanska of Poland at True Arena (Hua Hin Centennial Club) will be world No.7 Venus Williams of the US, No.10 Angelique Kerber of Germany and No.20 Sara Errani of Italy.
Radwanska will face Kerber and Williams take on Errani today with the winners meeting in the final tomorrow.
The four players will take part in an early morning ritual to give alms to monks today before participating in a class to learn to make famous Thai dishes phad thai and tom yam goong.
Paradorn Srichaphan, Thailand's former world No.9, yesterday served as the anchor at a press conference at the Inter Continental Hua Hin Resort, which was presided over by Suwat Liptapanlop, president of the Lawn Tennis Association of Thailand (LTAT).
Radwanska told the news conference: "This is my second visit to Thailand in the past eight years. I feel the same as I did when I played in the Pattaya Open [which she won].
"For my visit to Hua Hin this time, I can say that the view is very beautiful. I am happy to be back to Thailand."
Seven-time Grand Slam winner Williams said: "This is my fourth time in Thailand. Every time I feel like I am back to my home town because of the beauty of this country.
"Before this, I came here with my family and everyone liked the country very much. I am very happy to meet Paradorn again after his retirement."
Kerber said: "I just arrived in Thailand this morning and this is my second trip to the country.
"I hope that the competition will be an exciting event for the fans here. I might also travel a bit through Thailand like my previous visit."
Errani said: "The court is good and I do hope to produce a good result in my first match against Venus."
Suwat said: "It is a rare event for Thailand as it pits some of the top women's players against each other. It also shows that Thailand is a great place to visit.
"I hope that the players will enjoy their stay in Hua Hin. This event should also serve as a good preparatory ground for these players before they participate in the first Grand Slam of the year, the Australian Open.
"The players also expect this tournament to be a good warm-up for them ahead of the Australian Open.
"They are all impressed with the warm welcome extended to them by the Thai people and it is a good promotion of our country."
The tournament offers His Majesty the King's Trophy to the winner.
Meanwhile, world No.9 Richard Gasquet has withdrawn from the Australian Open because of a back injury.
Tournament organisers tweeted news of Gasquet's withdrawal late Tuesday, adding "we wish him a speedy recovery.''
Britain's Kyle Edmund will take his place in the main draw.
France's Gasquet is the third withdrawal from the Grand Slam tournament which starts on Jan 18 at Melbourne Park, after Juan Monaco and Thanasi Kokkinakis.