By Scoop Malinowski
Status: Winner of seven ATP doubles titles. Has reached three ATP doubles finals this year with partner Michal Mertinak. Turned pro in 1996. Reached career high rank in singles of #55 and #17 in doubles (2009).
Ht: 6-1 Wt: 165
DOB: May 6, 1977 In: Belo Horizonte, Brazil
First Tennis Memory: “Oooh, very early I was 11 years old and I travel to play junior tournament away from home. I travel without my mom and dad for the first time. And I remember first day I was crying so much. And it was a good experience and a tough experience at the same time. I did okay. I lost in quarterfinal. For me was very good. Just to win a match I was very happy, to call home and tell my parents.”
Childhood Hero: “I think was my father (Jose). He was always so professional and serious about everything. And I guess I got that from him and the way I do things now.”
Hobbies/Interests: “I got into playing guitar a few years ago. I’m not so good [smiles] but I like to think I know how to play. I really enjoy all kinds of music so I listen to music all the time. And I pick up my guitar whenever I can.”
Favorite Movies: “Shawshank Redemption number one, and Scarface.”
Musical Tastes: “It always depends where you are and what you feel like listening but, I really enjoy Ben Harper, a guy from Southern California.”
Last Book Read: “The Alchemist from Brazilian author Paulo Coelho.”
Pre-Match Feeling: “You always discussing with your coach what you need to do to win that match, strategy and everything. Think about that till about five minutes before the match. Then try to relax and tell myself to have fun out there.”
Greatest Sports Moment: “I think in 2002 I played quarterfinal of Wimbledon singles and I played on the Centre Court and the royal family was watching. I was playing against Tim Henman. It was the greatest memory I have in my career so far. (How did you play?) I lost in four sets, 6-4 in the fourth.”
Most Painful Moment: “Wow, that I can remember, Wimbledon three or four years ago, we played semifinal in doubles (w/Melo). And after we lost that match (to Llodra/Clement) it was really tough. I thought I had a chance to play my first Grand Slam in the finals. That got away and it was a rough moment there.”
Favorite Tournament: “For sure, Wimbledon.”
Funny Memory: “Actually one time I was playing in Long Island, we were playing a late match and it was like 3-all first set and I hit a serve and the lights went off completely. Half hour we had to wait and stall till the lights came back on. That was funny.”
Embarrassing Memory: “There’s so many. I think one time a long time ago, I think in 1998. And I was playing in Kitzbuhel and I got mad at some line call and I went to the umpire, How can you not see that ball?! The mark is out! You can clearly see it. I was so upset I grabbed all my racquets and I broke them on the net post. I had no more racquets to play [smiles]. I had to borrow my coach’s racquets to finish the match. (Against who?) Alex Calatrava. (Did you win?) No. I’m gonna blame my coach’s racquets [smiles].”
Closest Friends From Tennis: “Pretty much all the Brazilians. I’d say the closest to me are Flavio Sarretta and Guga. I played with Guga for ten years now on the Tour. And outside of Brazil, Ramon Delgado of Paraguay. He’s a very good friend of mine.”
Funniest Player Encountered: “I don’t know if anybody is gonna remember — Mark Keil, American. I had the opportunity to play doubles with him one time and this guy was just a character. The funniest guy I’ve ever seen on a tennis court. (That’s right, you played with him, it was in the movie The Journeyman.) Yes, the movie. We played in Chennai. We lost a few match points to Bhupathi and Paes.”
Toughest Competitors: “That I played…I would say Agassi. And the latest…Nadal. The way he plays and fights for every point…it’s a joke, really [smiles].”
Favorite Players To Watch: “Federer, right now, Federer. I mean, he can literally put the ball wherever he wants to.”
People Qualities Most Admired: “Just they are in a good mood always. Very happy just to be where they are and just to be happy with life in general.”
"I broke all my racquets - had to borrow from my coach"
Tom Michael · March 22, 2012 at 1:10 pm
He seems like a nice person. I saw him for the first time years back at a US Open first round on TV. I did not get a lot of on-court intensity from him. But there is talent, especially soft hands around the net, which helps his doubles game. I wish he has a good season this year.
Scoop Malinowski · March 23, 2012 at 4:10 pm
Tom, Sa has made three doubles finals this year and is playing well with Mertinak. He’s a very smart playeer who has had a long successful career, I remember him in singles too he was kind of flat but he plays with much more fire and intensity now in doubles. Sa gave a nice Biofile he is a very good interview, he also gave me some nice memories of playing Rios in juniors. He said Rios showed up to one tournament in all black from head to toe, nobody had ever seen a player go Darth Vader like that before. )