February is turning out to be the unofficial Tennis Hunks and Babes Month at GTT!
The ATP website recently reported (thanks Judy!) that former top 10 player Paradorn Srichaphan is starring in a Thai action film, Bang Rajan II, coming out on March 25.
In the film Paradorn plays a strong but silent type named Nai Mun, who is called to lead his people to war when an invading Burmese army threatens his pregnant wife and village.
“When the director called and told me which movie that he was interested in me acting in, I was shocked,” Paradorn told ATPWorldTour.com. “The first one (Bang Rajan) was a huge hit in Thailand and one of my favourite movies. He told me that I would have to be in great shape, but I had already been working in the gym a lot before he called, so it was no problem.”
No problem is right. The Thai superstar is renowned for his ripped physique. Here’s Novak Djokovic (who is rumored to have his own acting ambitions, not to mention some killer abs) on the subject of the tour’s best bodies:
“Oh. Whooh. I would say, for sure, Paradorn Srichaphan. He has not been playing and I haven’t seen him for a while. But he still has the best body in men’s tennis.” Better than Rafa? “Rafa? No, no… I don’t like bodies like Rafa’s.” (via tennisservedfresh)
Nole is an expert on the male physique – he’s seen more buff naked men in his short life than I ever will – but your considered opinions are welcome. Here are some shots via firstshowing.net:
Apparently action hero shape is a step or two below ATP Tour level shape. Paradorn sounded none-too-motivated to return to pro tennis, when asked about a possible comeback during January’s Hong Kong Tennis Classic exhibition:
The former Asian No. 1 said he is concerned about his fitness level and non-tennis commitments.
During his break from the game, Paradorn married former Miss Universe Natalie Glebova, launched a men’s herbal supplement line and is currently shooting a Thai historical movie.
“A lot of things happened. I got married. I have family now. A lot of stuff to take care of,” Paradorn said.
He said if he can get fit in time he may enter hard court tournaments in Miami and Indian Wells in March.
But he said he will set reasonable expectations for his comeback.
“I’m not going to pressure myself,” Paradorn said. “If I’m healthy and I feel great to be back on court, that’s what my goal is.” (via Sports Illustrated)
He says that the wrist injury that drove him into semi-retirement is “totally OK now.”
So who will follow, now that Paradorn’s blazed the path, machete in hand? Marat Safin? Fabrice Santoro? (How about both in an international, tennis themed Lethal Weapon spin-off? Bjorn Borg can play a villainous Swede mastermind named Silver Fox.) Some guys are better suited for the small screen – click here to see Feliciano Lopez’s soap opera debut.
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