Tammy-led Thais target three golds
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Tammy-led Thais target three golds

Tamarine Tanasugarn, third right, poses with her teammates.
Tamarine Tanasugarn, third right, poses with her teammates.

Thailand are aiming to win three gold medals in the tennis competition of the 30th SEA Games, which get underway at the end of this month in the Philippines.

The Thai players are preparing for the tournament at the National Tennis Development Centre, Muang Thong Thani.

The five men's players are twins Sonchat and Sanchai Ratiwatana, Wichaya Trongcharoenchaikul, Jirat Navasirisomboon and Kasidit Sumrej.

The women's team also have five members. They are led by veteran Tamarine Tanasugarn and comprise Luksika Kumkhum, Peantarn Plipluech, Patcharin Cheepcharndech and Anchisa Chanta.

Thailand tennis team manager Nitinart Buland said on Monday the players are "nearly ready" for the biennial event with "Tamarine leading our charge.

"We need to get some practice on the courts in the Philippines before the actual competition begins," he said.

"We are aiming for three gold medals from the women's singles, men's doubles and mixed doubles events.

"We do have high hopes for success in the women's doubles event as well with Tammy, the 2014 Asian Games gold medallist, providing us the much-needed confidence and experience."

Tamarine, 43, has come out of retirement to take part in the SEA Games.

"It is a great honour for me to be back in the national team," she said.

"I want to create a good result in the Philippines because it is the dream of every player to win the SEA Games gold medal. I will try my best.

"Our main opponents in the women's doubles event will be Indonesia, who won the 2018 Asian Games gold.

"We cannot overlook the Philippines who, as the hosts, are also likely to put up a strong challenge for the medals."

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