Suffering from tendinitis to his right wrist, the 52nd-ranked player earlier pulled out of the Davis Cup away tie with Taiwan starting next week. He will have to scrap his trip to Marseilles, Rotterdam and Dubai to concentrate on the ultrasound treatment at home.

"My condition is getting better but a hard contact brings out the pain. I am running and going to the gym to maintain my fitness level,'' said Paradorn, whose next tour appearance is likely to be in Las Vegas on February 26.

Three weeks off from the circuit means the Thai ace, who was at his peak of No 9 in 2003, will drop down the ranking. But Paradorn said he was more concerned about his condition than the ranking.

"I want to be completely cured and it doesn't matter if it takes longer time. The rankings might fall but the good thing is that I will be under no pressure when I return to play,'' said Paradorn, who plans to stick around the circuit for five more years.

Although he won't be playing in the Davis Cup Zone Asia/Oceania Group I tie from February 9-11, Paradorn has full faith in the squad spearheaded by Danai Udomchoke. "They are strong enough to win the tie. I would not be there physically but I am always there for advice and comfort,'' said Paradorn, who hopes that he will be fit for the next Davis Cup tie in April.

Meanwhile, six local contenders are in action today when qualifying for the US$170,000 (Bt6 million) Pattaya Women's Open starts at the Dusit Resort Hotel in Pattaya.

Former national player Napaporn Tongsalee faces the most daunting mission when she takes on top seed and last year's quarterfinalist Melinda Czink of Hungary in the first round. Noppawan Lertcheewakarn also has an uphill task as she will meet American-born Shika Uberoi of India.

Elsewhere, Jutarat Rungthien faces Shun Shengnan of China, Thassha Vittayaviroj meets big-serving Akgul Amanmuradova of Uzbekistan, national Fed Cup player Nudnida Luangnam faces Shen Yan of China and Varatchaya Wongthianchai is up against Israeli veteran Tzipora Obziler.