BANGKOK, April 21 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's tennis ace Paradorn Srichaphan is to announce his engagement with Miss Universe 2005 Natalie Glebova, local media reported Saturday.

A top-line report by local English newspaper The Nation said that the star couple are set to announce their engagement at a Bangkok Hotel on Tuesday.

A good friend of Natalie told the newspaper that Natalie, a Canadian of Russian descent, was not only wearing an engagement ring but also confirming to friends that it was an engagement ring.

The report said the two first met at the court of Thailand Open last year, when she gave him a peck on the cheek and since then developed a special relationship as they met and seen together frequently both as brand ambassador for a Thai brewery.

They admitted they were "special" friends this February. The Srichaphan family have given Natalie the Thai name Piangfah and the nickname Fah.

Paradorn remained tight-lipped about the engagement, telling The Nation in a telephone interview that he won't give an interview to any media until Tuesday.

It is expected that the couple will tie the knot by the end of the year.

The 28-year-old Paradorn, whose nickname is "Ball", is the highest ranked player from Thailand in history and one of Asia's top tennis stars, reaching a career high World No. 9. He is currently 57th in the ATP rankings.

Natalie, two years younger, has gained high profile exposure in Thailand since she won the Miss Universe laurel in the 2005 pageant held in Bangkok. She now resides in Thailand.