Asia’s biggest tennis icon takes to monkhood

Thai tennis star Paradorn Srichaphan is not on the courts these days, but at a Buddhist temple, having traded in his racket for an alms bowl.

Hundred of well-wishers including relatives, friends and fans gathered at Thung Sethi temple in Bangkok early morning on Saturday (November 26) as Srichaphan took part in a lavish, traditional ordination ceremony to become a Buddhist monk.

Asia's top tennis player rode on the back of an elephant as well-wishers danced to Thai music in the ordination procession before entering the temple hall to take his monastic vows.

Many men in Thailand spend a period of their life as a monk as it is believed the act will bring merit to them as well as their parents.

But Srichaphan, or Mahaviro, as he is known as a monk, will be back on the court after seven days of collecting alms, meditating and praying and abstaining from alcohol and physical contact with women.