Luksika Kumkhum will once again carry the burden of Thai hopes at the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia from Aug 18-Sept 2.
The Thai men and women's teams are currently in training for the quadrennial sports fest but their medal hopes largely rest on Luksika.
The top-ranked female player in the Kingdom was instrumental in delivering a gold and a silver at the 2014 Incheon Asian Games, where she led Thailand to victory in the women's doubles event and finished runner-up in the singles competition.
She has also had a fine run on the world professional circuit this year, reaching the third round of the Australian Open for the first time by beating Swiss star Belinda Bencic in straight sets and making it to the second round of Wimbledon earlier this month.
It marked the first time for Luksika to enter the second round at Wimbledon where she beat Bernarda Pera of the United States 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 before losing to another American, Madison Keys.
Luksika has joined the Asian Games training camp at the National Tennis Centre in Muang Thong Thani with other women's team players Nicha Lertpitaksinchai, Mananchaya Sawangkaew and Punnin Kovapitakted. Two others, Peangtarn Plipluech and Tasaporn Naklo, are abroad playing in international tournaments.
Thai men's doubles exponents, twins Sonchat and Sanchai Ratiwatana, singles players Wishaya Trongcharoenchaikul, Nuttanon Kadchapanan are also taking part in overseas competitions.
Palaphoom Kovapitakted and Kasidit Samrej have meanwhile joined the national team camp.
Luksika, who is No.89 on the WTA Tour rankings, admits that she will be under a lot pressure when the Asian Games gets under way next month.
"I'll be under a lot stress in Indonesia," said Luksika.
"I am expected to defend the doubles title but my partner is not playing tennis anymore," she said referring to Thai legend Tamarine Tanasugarn who has retired.
"I will have a different partner in the Games, but I have a job to do. I will try to do my best and that also holds for the women's singles event. My goal is to win at least one gold medal.
"We don't know who will take part in the singles and doubles events but every country will send its best players.
"I have to be ready and fit. I am doing fine at the moment having got some tournaments to play in regularly.
"We have some new players in the team and this is a good opportunity for them to gain experience. You never know they might as well win a medal or two."
Luksika added: "The tennis competition at the Asian Games clashes with the US Open [which starts on Aug 27], but I have chosen to play for my country.
"We will have to see the results at the Asian Games first and if there is time I might fly out to take part in the US Open."
Akkasit Thepkasitkul, the women's team coach, said: "Every player is now 90% ready for the competition. We will be taking part in five events and hope to reach at least the top four in every event.
"Luksika is our biggest hope for the women's singles title. We will also name her to play in either women's doubles or mixed doubles, but we will decide later."
Men's team coach Weerapat Doakmaiklee said: "Wishaya will be the key player in the men's singles event and the Ratiwatana twins, Sonchat and Sanchai, can help us mount a serious challenge for a men's doubles medal at the Asian Games."
Assistant team manager Worapol Thongkumchu said: "For this year's Asian Games, we have one new player in the men's team and three in the women's team.
"It is a good chance for them to learn. They are all likely to form the backbone of our future national teams.
"We did not select all new players but opted to use a mixture of old and new because we want to build up new players for the future in a gradual manner.
"Our main expectations are in the women's singles event with Luksika being our best hope.
"I can't say what medal we will win in Indonesia because we have to take a look at the other teams first."