Mananchaya “Mai” Sawangkaew is Thailand’s rising tennis star, making waves on the WTA Tour with her relentless grit and rapid ascent. As of 2025, she holds a career-high singles ranking of World No. 112 and has become a symbol of perseverance in Thai sports.
From her humble beginnings in Sing Buri province to battling top-tier players like Aryna Sabalenka, Sawangkaew’s journey is a blend of talent, hard work, and quiet determination. This article breaks down her net worth, career milestones, and the story behind her rise.
Mananchaya Sawangkaew’s Biography
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Mananchaya Sawangkaew |
| Date of Birth | 10 July 2002 |
| Age | 22 years old |
| Education | Oklahoma State University |
| Nationality | Thai |
| Height | 1.63 m (5 ft 4 in) |
| Weight | 52 kg (115 lbs) |
| Turned Pro | 2015 |
| Net Worth | Estimated $300,000–$400,000 |
| Career Earnings | $202,052 |
| Husband/Boyfriend | N/A |
| @sawangkaewmananchaya | |
| Twitter/X | N/A |
Early Career
Mananchaya Sawangkaew’s tennis journey began at the tender age of four in her hometown of Sing Buri, Thailand. Inspired by watching her father and sister play, she quickly developed a passion for the sport. By age 12, her talent was evident, prompting a move to Bangkok to train at a professional academy.
This early sacrifice paid dividends as Sawangkaew claimed her first ITF singles title in Hua Hin at just 15 years old in 2018. Her junior career saw steady progress, culminating in a career-high ITF junior ranking of No. 14 in 2019. That same year, she reached the quarterfinals of the Australian Open Juniors and made her debut for Thailand’s Fed Cup team.
Despite battling childhood hay fever that affected her physical development, Sawangkaew’s determination never wavered. Her early career also included a stint at Oklahoma State University in 2021-2022, where she honed her skills in the competitive college tennis environment before fully committing to the professional circuit.
Professional Career
Mananchaya Sawangkaew’s professional career gained significant momentum in 2024. After years of competing on the ITF Circuit, she made her WTA main draw debut at the Thailand Open in Hua Hin. Although she lost her first match, Sawangkaew quickly rebounded, securing her maiden WTA Tour victory against Zarina Diyas at the China Open.
This breakthrough was followed by impressive quarterfinal runs at both the Guangzhou Open and Jiangxi Open, where she showcased her resilience by saving match points against Zheng Saisai. These performances catapulted her into the top 150 rankings and established her as Thailand’s No. 1 player. By February 2025, Sawangkaew had reached a career-high singles ranking of No. 112, bolstered by a runner-up finish at the Mumbai Open WTA Challenger.
Her Grand Slam appearances, while limited to qualifying rounds, have shown steady improvement, with her best result being a third-round qualifying finish at the 2024 US Open. Throughout her professional journey, Sawangkaew has demonstrated a knack for marathon matches and comebacks, earning three ITF singles titles and one doubles title along the way.
Mananchaya Sawangkaew’s Net Worth Details
Mananchaya Sawangkaew’s net worth is estimated to be between $400,000 and $500,000 as of 2025.
Career Earnings
| Year | Career Earnings |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $60,111 |
| 2024 | $158,242 |
| 2023 | $24,990 |
| 2022 | $7,667 |
| 2021 | $1,218 |
| 2020 | $2,356 |
| 2019 | $7,480 |
| Total | $267,539 |
Career Stats
| Category | Stats |
|---|---|
| Singles Win-Loss | 179-89 |
| Doubles Win-Loss | 41-38 |
| Highest Singles Ranking | No. 111 (March 17, 2025) |
| Highest Doubles Ranking | No. 546 (July 31, 2023) |
| Career Prize Money | $267,539 |
| WTA Singles Titles | 0 |
| WTA Doubles Titles | 0 |
| ITF Singles Titles | 3 |
| ITF Doubles Titles | 1 |
| Grand Slam Best Result | Australian Open Q2 (2025) |
| Fed Cup Record | 2-2 |
FAQs
1. Who is Mananchaya Sawangkaew and what is her background in tennis?
Mananchaya Sawangkaew is a professional tennis player from Thailand, born on July 10, 2002, in Sing Buri province. She began playing tennis at age four, inspired by watching her father and sister play. At 12, she moved to Bangkok to train at a tennis academy. Sawangkaew has achieved success in junior tennis, reaching a career-high ITF junior ranking of No. 14 in 2019. She turned professional in 2015 and has won three singles titles and one doubles title on the ITF Women’s Circuit. Sawangkaew is currently Thailand’s highest-ranked WTA singles player.
2. What is Mananchaya Sawangkaew’s current WTA ranking and career-high ranking?
As of February 24, 2025, Mananchaya Sawangkaew holds a career-high singles ranking of World No. 112 in the WTA rankings. This ranking was achieved on February 24, 2025, and represents her current position in women’s professional tennis. Her rapid rise in the rankings is a testament to her improving performance on the WTA Tour. In doubles, her career-high ranking was No. 546, achieved on July 31, 2023. Sawangkaew’s consistent progress in the rankings showcases her potential as an emerging talent in women’s tennis.
3. What are some of Mananchaya Sawangkaew’s notable achievements in professional tennis?
Mananchaya Sawangkaew has achieved several notable milestones in her professional tennis career. She made her WTA main draw debut at the 2024 Thailand Open in Hua Hin. Her first WTA Tour win came at the 2024 China Open, where she defeated Zarina Diyas. Sawangkaew reached her first WTA Tour quarterfinals at the 2024 Guangzhou Open and Jiangxi Open. In 2025, she reached her first WTA Challenger final at the Mumbai Open. On the ITF Circuit, she has won three singles titles and one doubles title. These achievements have solidified her position as Thailand’s No. 1 player.
4. Has Mananchaya Sawangkaew played in Grand Slam tournaments?
Yes, Mananchaya Sawangkaew has participated in Grand Slam tournaments, although her appearances have been limited to the qualifying rounds. In 2025, she reached the second round of qualifying (Q2) at the Australian Open. In 2024, she made it to the first round of qualifying (Q1) at Wimbledon and the third round of qualifying (Q3) at the US Open. While she has yet to make a main draw appearance in a Grand Slam tournament, her progress in the qualifying rounds indicates her growing competitiveness at the highest level of tennis.
5. What is Mananchaya Sawangkaew’s playing style and strengths on the tennis court?
Mananchaya Sawangkaew is known for her all-round game and good sense of shot selection, despite her relatively small stature at 1.63m (5 ft 4 in) and 52 kg (115 lbs). She plays right-handed with a two-handed backhand. Sawangkaew’s tenacity shines in marathon matches, demonstrating her mental strength and physical endurance. Her ability to save match points and stage comebacks, as seen in her performances against players like Zheng Saisai, highlights her resilience. Sawangkaew’s game is characterized by tactical awareness and continuous improvement in both physical and technical aspects.
6. Did Mananchaya Sawangkaew play college tennis, and if so, where?
Yes, Mananchaya Sawangkaew played college tennis at Oklahoma State University during the 2021-2022 academic year. Her decision to attend Oklahoma State was influenced by former Thai player Bunyawi Thamchaiwat, who had success there. Sawangkaew’s time at Oklahoma State helped her develop her game and adjust to life in the United States. During her college tenure, she balanced academics with her tennis career, gaining valuable experience in team play and adapting to different playing styles. This experience contributed to her overall growth as a player before fully committing to the professional circuit.
7. What is Mananchaya Sawangkaew’s career prize money to date?
Mananchaya Sawangkaew’s career prize money totals $202,052. This figure reflects her earnings from professional tennis tournaments, including WTA Tour events, WTA Challengers, and ITF Circuit competitions. Her prize money has seen significant growth, particularly in 2024 and early 2025, due to her improved performances and deeper runs in tournaments. While this amount is notable for an emerging player, it’s expected to increase as Sawangkaew continues to climb the rankings and compete in higher-level events.
8. Has Mananchaya Sawangkaew represented Thailand in international team competitions?
Yes, Mananchaya Sawangkaew has represented Thailand in international team competitions. She made her debut for the Thailand Fed Cup team (now known as the Billie Jean King Cup) in 2019. As of February 2025, her record in Fed Cup competition stands at 2 wins and 2 losses. Representing her country has been an important aspect of Sawangkaew’s career, allowing her to gain experience in high-pressure situations and contribute to Thailand’s tennis efforts on the global stage. Her participation in these team events has also helped solidify her status as one of Thailand’s top tennis players.
9. What challenges has Mananchaya Sawangkaew faced in her tennis career?
Mananchaya Sawangkaew has faced several challenges in her tennis career. One significant challenge was moving away from her family at age 12 to train in Bangkok, which caused emotional difficulties but helped her become more independent. She also struggled with health issues, including childhood hay fever that affected her physical development. Sawangkaew has had to work on overcoming her physical limitations due to her small stature. Additionally, adapting to life in the United States during her college years and improving her English skills presented challenges. Despite these obstacles, Sawangkaew has shown resilience and determination in pursuing her tennis career.
10. What are Mananchaya Sawangkaew’s goals for her tennis career?
Mananchaya Sawangkaew has set ambitious goals for her tennis career. Her primary aim is to break into the top 50 in the WTA rankings. She aspires to make deeper runs in Grand Slam tournaments, having already competed in qualifying rounds. Sawangkaew is focused on continuous improvement, working on her physical strength and tactical skills to compete at the highest level. During her college years, she expressed a desire to become an All-American player. Long-term, Sawangkaew aims to establish herself as a successful professional player on the WTA Tour, representing Thailand on the global tennis stage and inspiring the next generation of Thai tennis players.
