Tendonitis in the right wrist has kept the former world No 9 on the sidelines for about a month and will slow down his comeback for at least a few more months.

But the five-time ATP Tour winner learnt a valuable lesson from his defeats in the first round of the Sydney International and in the Australian Open last month.

"I need to be assured of being completely cured before I play again,'' said the 53rd-ranked Paradorn. "I was hasty in the past, going to tournaments carrying injuries. I just couldn't play."

The Thai sustained the injury last year but stubbornly made the trip to Doha, Chennai, Sydney and Melburne.

"My condition is getting better but a complete recovery is a long way off. I don't know how long it will take but I won't rush it,'' said Paradorn, whose next tournament will be the Masters Series in Indian Wells, due on March 5, where he surprisingly reached the semi-finals last year.

"I might go to Indian Wells but only if my wrist is better. If not, I will have to stay in Bangkok and change my programme," he said.

Tamarine tumbles

Seventh-seeded Tamarine Tanasugarn was sent packing by Russian teenager Yaroslava Shvedova 6-4 3-6 6-4 in the second round of the US$175,000 WTA Sony Ericsson International Open in Bangalore, India, on Wednesday's night.

Her next stop is Dubai, where she is entering the qualifying competition of the WTA tier 2 event which starts on Saturday.

Lerpong Amsa-ngiam

The Nation