Former Toledo men's tennis great Pawit Sornlaksup began playing on the professional tour after his graduation from the University of Toledo in 2024. A three-time MAC Player fo the Year, Sornlaksup owns an ATP ranking in the top 600 in the world and will represent Thailand in the 2025 Davis Cup beginning on July 14.

What has been your most significant accomplishment so far since leaving Toledo?
Sornlaksup: My most significant accomplishment so far is winning a title in the Future M15. That allowed me to join the Thailand national team.

Are you out on your own, do you have a support team, a home base, travel partners, etc. while you're on tour? Can you describe that setup?
Sornlaksup: I have a team that always supports me both in practice and in tournaments. I have a personal trainer that always travels to tournaments with me. My tennis coach does not attend every tournament, but when he doesn't travel we still talk a lot. Most of the time when I am on tour, I will have one of my friends, my trainer and my tennis coach travel with me. If I play in Thailand, my family will travel as well to support me.

What is the hardest part of being out on the tour, or some things that have surprised you?
Sornlaksup: For me, the hardest part of being out on the tour is to get used to the conditions wherever I play. Some places are at a very high attitude and some are what I am used to. Not every tournament uses the same balls and that is a challenge for tennis players. I am always learning about how fast I can adapt to these situations.

How did your experience in college tennis help you prepare for your career?
Sornlaksup: I experienced a lot of things in college tennis. It taught me how to be tough in a match, how to have a good mindset, that you can win the match no matter what, how to not give up when the match isn't done. Now, I am not playing for my school, but I am playing for myself and these lessons have helped me a lot. Especially when I don't have a coach with me on the court and don't have my teammates standing next to me, cheering me on.

What is your favorite memory from your time at Toledo?
Sornlaksup: My favorite time at Toledo is being with the team. That's a special memory for me because you don't find that type of life anywhere else. When we lose, we lose together. When we win, we win together. When we were down, we were down together. The best memory is when we came back stronger than ever and were able to win the MAC two years in a row (2023 and 2024).

How has the traveling been, and what are some enjoyable experiences or unusual places you've encountered?
Sornlaksup: It's always fun to travel around – to see new things and stay in new places. It's always like an adventure because some places don't speak a second language which makes it a little difficult for me. Especially when I get to the airport and try to communicate with the driver about where I am going. I have to make sure that they won't leave me at the wrong place. 

It seems like you are living every college player's dream, to be out on the Tour, just traveling and playing tennis. Is it all that?
Sornlaksup: Tennis is a special sport. I don't think players are just traveling and playing tennis with no responsibilities. Everyone wants to win a match and the title, no one wants to lose even a friendly match. I think everyone that is on tour wants to get something back in their pocket - either a trophy, points or money. That's why tennis is a special sport. You spend a lot of money just to go play a tournament for a week and there is only one person who will win that tournament, so everyone will have the desire to be that one person.

With the Davis Cup coming up, you are representing Thailand on a big stage, a goal I'm sure you've had for many years. What are you most looking forward to there?
Sornlaksup: I will be very excited when that time comes. I have dreamed about being on the national team for many years and now my dream has come true. I will do everything I can that helps my country compete at the highest level.