Paradorn insists he will keep father as coach

Paradorn, currently 11th in the ATP rankings, said he was not disappointed with the Wimbledon result. It was the first time he has reached the last 16 at a Grand Slam event.

Paradorn, currently 11th in the ATP rankings, said he was not disappointed with the Wimbledon result. It was the first time he has reached the last 16 at a Grand Slam event.

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Last year, he was ranked 67 when he beat Andre Agassi in the second round at Wimbledon before losing to Richard Krajicek in the third round. He became the first Asian to reach the Top 10 in the ATP entry ranking earlier this year.

Paradorn told reporters that he is looking forward to playing on the hard courts at the U.S. Open, which starts Aug. 25. "I think I will do better on the hard court," he told reporters.

Asked if he had changed his mind about not hiring a new coach, Paradorn said: "I prefer to carry on with the father-son team. I cannot separate myself from my dad who has brought me up to the top 10."

Paradorn has steadfastly ignored suggestions from Thai tennis experts that he switch to a world-class professional coach. Paradorn has been coached by Chanachai Srichaphan since the age of six and says he has no intention of meddling with what has developed into a winning formula.

The Thai government has rewarded Paradorn and his father for their success with special diplomatic passports.

According to an opinion poll released Tuesday, Paradorn is the most popular sportsman in Thailand with an overwhelming 89.4 percent of 1,485 respondents voting in his favor.