Thai Tennis Star Samrej Faces Medvedev in Australian Open Debut

MELBOURNE, Australia — Kasidit Samrej, the first Thai male tennis player to compete in a Grand Slam main draw in 13 years, is set to face former world No. 1 Daniil Medvedev in the first round of the Australian Open on Tuesday. The 23-year-old earned his spot after winning the Asia-Pacific Wild Card Playoff in Chengdu, China, last November.

Samrej, ranked No. 418 in the world, recently trained with Novak Djokovic in Phuket, Thailand, a rare opportunity that he described as a pivotal moment in his career. “It was so cool, I practiced with the GOAT,” Samrej told ATPTour.com. “I felt nervous at first, but he gave me advice and made me feel more confident.”

The young Thai player’s journey to Melbourne has been marked by perseverance. After quitting tennis at age eight following a series of losses, Samrej returned to the sport at 12 and began taking it seriously at 15. His father, Vittaya Samrej, a former Davis Cup player, inspired his passion for tennis.

Samrej’s debut at a Grand Slam is a significant milestone for Thai tennis, which has not seen a male player in a major main draw since Danai Udomchoke in 2012. Paradorn Srichiphan, Thailand’s most successful male tennis player and a former world No. 9, expressed pride in Samrej’s achievement. “We are very happy to see a Thai player back in the main draw after 13 years,” Srichiphan said. “He earned his spot, and this will be a great experience for him.”

Despite the daunting challenge of facing Medvedev, a three-time Australian Open finalist and 2021 US Open champion, Samrej remains optimistic. “I’m excited to have a chance to play against him,” Samrej said. “It’s going to be a fun match, and I will do my best.”

Samrej’s preparation included reading James Clear’s “Atomic Habits” to strengthen his mindset. He hopes to inspire a resurgence of tennis in Thailand, where the sport has waned in popularity. “I want to be the person who brings tennis back to Thailand,” he said. “I want everyone to play tennis again because it’s a good sport.”

While Srichiphan acknowledged the difficulty of the matchup, he emphasized the importance of the experience for Samrej. “We’re not expecting a win, but I’m sure he will give his 110 percent and show his tennis,” Srichiphan said. “He’s still young and has a long way to go, but he’s a hope for Thai tennis.”

Samrej’s first trip to Australia has been filled with awe. “I will play against a Top 10 player, and I am over 400 in the world,” he said. “I’m not sure if I will get another chance, but I will try to be here again someday.”