Noppawan Lertcheewakarn
A Thai tennis prodigy who conquered the Wimbledon junior championships, bringing a surge of national pride to a country not known for the sport.
Born 1991 (age 35)·Thai tennis player·Birthday: November 18·Millennials
Biography
Noppawan 'Nok' Lertcheewakarn emerged from Thailand as a tennis sensation, capturing global attention in 2009 when she triumphed in the girls' singles at Wimbledon. That victory, a rare feat for an athlete from Southeast Asia, announced her as a serious talent on the international stage. She transitioned to the professional circuit, where her powerful groundstrokes and competitive spirit saw her climb into the top 150 in singles and break into the top 100 in doubles. Her career, though impacted by injuries, paved the way for future Thai players and demonstrated that champions could come from anywhere. Lertcheewakarn's legacy is that of a trailblazer who carried her nation's flag onto tennis's most hallowed lawns and inspired a generation to pick up a racket.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Noppawan was born in 1991, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Noppawan Was Born
The biggest hits of 1991
#1 Movie
Terminator 2: Judgment Day
Best Picture
The Silence of the Lambs
#1 TV Show
Cheers
Noppawan's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1991Born
Soviet Union dissolves; World Wide Web goes public
Gas: $1.14/galHome: $82,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" — Bryan AdamsBest Picture: The Silence of the Lambs
1996Started school
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
2004Became a teenager
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2007Could drive
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2009Could vote
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2012Turned 21
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2021Turned 30
January 6 Capitol breach; COVID vaccines roll out globally
Gas: $3.01/galHome: $298,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Levitating" — Dua LipaBest Picture: CODA
2026Age 35 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the girls' singles title at the 2009 Wimbledon Championships.
- Achieved a career-high WTA singles ranking of world No. 149.
- Reached a career-high WTA doubles ranking of world No. 97.
- Became one of the most successful Thai female tennis players in the Open Era.
Did You Know?
Her nickname 'Nok' means 'bird' in Thai.
She was the first Thai player to win a junior Grand Slam singles title at Wimbledon.
She won two gold medals at the 2007 Southeast Asian Games in Thailand.
She received a full scholarship to the prestigious Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy.
“I fought for every point, for myself and for Thailand.”
