His best run at the All England Club was in 2003 when he reached the fourth round. He has let his fans down, and himself.

Although he was the 29th seed and claims to be a fast court specialist, the Thai was outplayed by clay court expert Augustin Calleri of Argentina, who won their rain-delayed first round match 6-7 (3-7) 7-5 6-3 3-6 6-3. That loss ended Paradorn's almost three-month tour in Europe.

"It's been a long trip and I'm disappointed to lose," said Paradorn, who ended his itinerary in Europe with a 3-10 record. "At Wimbledon, I had a good draw and should have made it to round three, but I've lost in the first round for three years now." To both his fans and critics, the world No 38 looks to be down. But Paradorn, who is known locally as "Ball", does not think he is doing badly.

"I was playing well compared to last year, especially on clay. But there were matches that I played well in, but could not win."

That, he claimed, was the case in his match against the 30-year-old Calleri. "I had some chances and tried to hang in there, but he put me under pressure. His strokes were flat and tough to chase. It was his day," Paradorn explained.

After a breakthrough in 2002-2003 when he rocketed to a career best ranking at No 9, Paradorn has slipped down the rankings and at one time dropped outside the top 70. He has managed to return to the top 40 this season, but has been far from his best, which rises the question - is his motivation still there?

"I admit that I'm not as highly motivated as I was in 2002," he said. "At one point after you reach your peak, there will come the time when you cannot play at that level any more," added the 27-year-old. "You cannot compare me with Roger [Federer] or [Rafael] Nadal because I'm not as good as they are. I cannot play consistently all the time."

But the Thai has not given up hope. He says he still has five more years to prove himself.

"I'll still be playing when I'm 30 and I believe one day I will regain that level," he said. "Deep inside I want to be in the top 20 again, but my goal until the end of the year is to remain inside the top 50."

Paradorn has also ruled himself out of playing in the Asian Games in Doha this December.

He won the gold medal at the last Asian Games in South Korea in 2002, but said it was time for younger Thai players to represent their country in Qatar in December.

"I'm not playing the Asian Games," said Paradorn.

"It's what I said four years ago, as I won the gold medal for my country, and I now want the younger players to have an opportunity - it's not my time to do it again."

Paradorn will fly home and take a break for a couple of weeks before he launches his campaign on the American hard court season - the time that his game normally comes together.

"I feel more confident on hard courts. I can move well and have a good feeling on them. I'm looking ahead for good results," he said.

Paradorn's first step in his hard court campaign will be at Indianapolis, which starts on July 17.

Lerpong Amsa-ngiam

The Nation

Wimbledon