Pitchamon Opatniputh is world No.57, but her profile rivals that of the top stars. ‘Pink’, as she is popularly known, has been one of the most visible faces on social media in recent times — and she’s only 16.
While aware of her stardom, Opatniputh has chosen to restrict her engagement with social media.
“I keep track of what’s happening, and I know I have many followers,” she said, after winning her match at the BWF World Junior Mixed Team Championships 2023 that began in Spokane on Monday. “I don’t read the comments. I don’t post much. My social media is handled by an agency.”
Pink has nearly 100,000 followers on Instagram
Opatniputh says she tries to separate her badminton life from her social media life, and has decided to focus on badminton. She appears uncomfortable with the attention that her celebritydom entails: “I want to keep my life private. There’s a lot of attention on me, and because of social media it adds to the pressure. I want to improve my badminton and become one of the top players.”
Pink’s channels feature brand endorsements
The Thai’s skills mark her out as a talent to watch. She is currently world No.57, the sixth highest women’s singles player from Thailand behind Ratchanok Intanon, Pornpawee Chochuwong, Busanan Ongbamrungphan, Supanida Katethong and Lalinrat Chaiwan. In June she shot into the semifinals of the YONEX Taipei Open, her best performance at a Super 300 event.
“I’ve now started playing the World Tour events and entering the semifinals in Taipei gave me a lot of confidence.
“I’m feeling comfortable now, physically and mentally.”
BWF Newsletter
