BANGKOK: Thai tennis star Paradorn Srichaphan got down on his knees when he asked for the hand of Miss Universe 2005 Natalie Glebova earlier this month, the sports idol said yesterday at the official announcement of his engagement and planned nuptial.
"It was like in the movies," Paradorn, 28, told a gaggle of journalists at Bangkok's posh Sukhothai Hotel.
"I got down on my knees and asked her to marry me and she said yes, yes, yes."
Paradorn, Thailand's top tennis champ who formerly ranked ninth worldwide, and Glebova, 25, a Canadian of Russian descent who won the 2005 Miss Universe contest that was held in Bangkok, got engaged on April 13 during a vacation in Bali and plan to tie the knot in November or December, this year, the couple told a packed news conference. Paradorn said that he would continue to play tennis after getting married and Glebova said she had plans to open a business in beauty products. The celebrity couple have acknowledged that they were "special friends" since February. Local newspapers have been speculating about a love match between the twosome since last year when the former beauty queen publicly rewarded Paradorn with a kiss for beating Tim Henman in the quarter-finals of the Thailand Open.
"Ever since we met I knew that he was a down-to-earth, humble person," said Glebova who added in Thai, "Chan rak phi Bon," or "I love brother Ball."
Bon, the Thai rendition of the English word ball, is Paradorn's nickname.
Paradorn told Glebova "I love you" in Russian. Both couples' parents attended the official nuptial announcement at which Paradorn's father gave Glebova a 16-carat diamond necklace and earrings set. (DPA) |
