Former Miss Universe Natalie Glebova kisses fiancee Paradorn Srichaphan at their engagement at Bangkok’s Sukhothai Hotel yesterday.

Who wants a Grand Slam win when you have a Miss Universe as a future wife?

Thailand's No 1 tennis player Paradorn Srichaphan might not have been having the best of times on court lately, but the love result was definitely in his favour when he announced his engagement to Natalie Glebova at a packed "private ceremony" at Bangkok's Sukhothai Hotel yesterday.

Initially, there were no signs at all that Paradorn had a serious interest in Natalie, a Canadian of Russian descent who won Miss Universe in 2005.

Dribs and drabs of rumour, gossip and speculation did the usual rounds of newspaper columns and web boards. But it was so low-key that it appeared even Natalie's parents, Vlad Slezin and Anna Glebova, were not aware of the impending engagement.

Super Ball, as the high-profile star with a trail of broken hearts behind him is known, had quietly eased away from any efforts to get married despite the string of beautiful women he dated. He simply let it be known that he would not have a family until he was over 30.

In the meantime, Asia's number one tennis player was wooing dozens of beautiful models and stars around the world, including pop singer Tata Young and supermodel Odette Henriette Jacqmin.

Paradorn met Natalie during the Thailand Open last year. At first, people thought there might be a brief romance between the two. But tongues ran wild when Natalie gave Paradorn a peck on his cheek as a reward for his quarter-final win over Tim Henman.

Paradorn is now 28. Love has bloomed. It's time for marriage.

"It is once in a lifetime that a man has to decide to settle down and have a family and I have only one chance to make this. Natalie is definitely going to be a daughter-in-law for the Thai people," Paradorn told the press.

Planned as a private ceremony, the couple's engagement announcement turned out to be anything but, with around 200 media present and Channel 3 broadcasting the event live.

Although the guest numbers were small - perhaps less than 20 including Natalie's parents Vlad Slezin and Anna Glebova - the function room was jam-packed as everyone pushed for the best vantage point.

The engagement news broke late last week and since then the two have been followed closely by the media. However, Paradorn had said he would not give any information before yesterday's announcement.

Paradorn's father Chanachai told the press that the two were already engaged privately on April 13 in Bali, Indonesia. The family organised the press conference to officially inform the public of their commitment to each other.

"We wish that everyone is happy for them," said Chanachai, also Paradorn's former coach.

Everyone at the function could sense the man's nervousness. He looked as if he was playing in a Grand Slam final as he tried to place a necklace around Natalie's neck before the public.

They then exchanged their love vows as Paradorn said in Russian: "Ya tebya lublu" and Natalie immediately responded: "Fah ruk phi Ball mak mak kha."

Chanachai's gifts to his future daughter-in-law surprised everyone: a diamond necklace and a pair of earrings - 13 karats altogether - worth around Bt13 million in total.

 The Srichaphans' welcome of Natalie into the family is no secret to the public. The beauty queen has been named "Piangfah" and nicknamed "Fah" by the family.

Natalie made it a point to show her gratitude at the event. "Thank you (pointing at Paradorn's mother Ubol) for giving the name Piangfah."

Paradorn's eldest brother Thanakorn's added: "We are glad that an angel has chosen to become part of our family. I'm confident my brother will take good care of the angel."

The media then urged the tennis celebrity to show them how he proposed to Natalie - but he refused. "I just followed my heart then. It would be uncomfortable if I had to repeat it right now. We would like to keep that moment only between us."

However, Paradorn did recall the moment and said it was after a meal while they were strolling along the beach. They talked for around 30 minutes until Natalie sensed he was uneasy and asked him what was wrong.

"Then I knelt down and asked her to marry me and she said 'yes' four times. I put the ring (three-karat diamond ring on white gold) on her finger4. I had it engraved 'Natalie'."

Natalie then told the media: "The feeling straight from my heart is that, yes, I will spend the rest of my life and build my family with this person. He's very compassionate to other people and open to them. That's why I love him."

Paradorn's brother Thanakorn said his brother would wed Natalie on November 28 at the Royal Thai Navy Convention Hall in Thon Buri.

"Natalie was impressed with the place when she attended the celebration of the 60th anniversary of His Majesty the King's accession to the throne," he said.

After the marriage, Natalie will stay in Thailand and continue working for Boonrawd Co. She will also start a beauty business.

Thanakorn said Paradorn planned to play tennis for three or four more years. He will then retire and run his own business by opening a 50-rai sports complex in Pattaya, where the couple will build their home.

Natalie plans to keep her last name and will be called Natalie Glebova Srichaphan.

Natalie's parents are happy for the future couple.

"I would like to thank the Srichaphan family for accepting Natalie as a daughter. I also want to thank the Thai people for accepting Natalie in their country," said the bride's father Vlad Slezin.

Somporn Supop,

Teerapot Taweewanabul

The Nation