Bangkok, Nov 13: Asia's number-one tennis star Paradorn Srichaphan has ended a highly publicised affair with another Thai celebrity, singer Tata Young, reportedly on the orders of his disapproving father and coach.
The six-week relationship between Thailand's two most famous personalities, which was lived out on the front pages of the local press, ended in another storm of publicity as they were photographed leaving a "break-up" meeting.
"I was sorry that my father felt so stressed after the news (of the relationship) broke. And to end all this, I decided not to see her again," Paradorn told The Nation newspaper.
His father Chanachai denied the romance had hurt Paradorn's tennis game, despite a recent dip in form, but acknowledged concerns that the controversial liaison had been unpopular with his fans.
"There have been lots of faxes and phone calls from Paradorn's fans expressing their disapproval of the relationship," he said in a television interview.



Paradorn's family reputedly has a strong influence over the star player and his mother Ubol had openly predicted the relationship would not last.



Newspapers gave blanket coverage to the break-up with Tata, a half-American singer who was accused of publicising the relationship to promote sales of her new album.


Bureau Report