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So happy I did this Biofile with Maria, RIP Tennis Legend
5 Comments · Posted by Scoop Malinowski in Scoop
By Scoop Malinowski
(I used to see Maria Bueno around the US Open media center every year, dressed like royalty with an air of grace and dignity. I didn’t know who she was but I could sense this was a great former champion just by her quiet aura. After a couple of years I finally approached her and we had a nice conversation which resulted in this Biofile …)
Status: Three time Wimbledon singles champion (’59, ’60, ’64). Four time US singles champ (’59, ’63, ’64, ’66). Also won eleven major doubles titles. Eighteen major titles in total.
DOB: October ll, l939 In: Sao Paulo, Brazil
First Tennis Memory: “I think I started to play when I was two. I grew up with tennis. My entire family played tennis, my parents, my brothers. Great memories. Never thinking of winning nineteen Grand Slams or anything like that. I played because I enjoyed the sport. So everything just happened.”
Tennis Inspirations: “I started traveling when I was fourteen. And I just wanted to play. It was awfully difficult in those times to go away, especially from Brazil. It’s still very far away. My inspiration was to do what I loved the most and I knew I could do well. Actually now (at 20l3 US Open where we did this interview) I was just told today – I forgot all about it – it’s 50 years since one of my wins here at the Open. Just things fell into place. I traveled a lot most of my entire life. And I still play and I love what I do.”
Greatest Sports Moment: “Probably winning Wimbledon. I was in five finals and I won three. I had a very short career because I had an arm and shoulder injury so I had to stop when I was really at the top. But winning Wimbledon I think was the highest point of my career.”
Most Painful Moment: “When I had to stop and I couldn’t move my arm or my hand for seven years. Went through twelve surgeries. And I’m pretty lucky to have 50% back so I’m still playing. I played people like Martina Hingis, Sharapova, I’m very lucky to have hit with people like Federer last year. But it’s only about 50% of what I had before so I can’t possibly play competitive anymore. But I’m doing what I can and I’m still enjoying it.”
First Famous Player You Met Or Encountered: “I remember very well Fred Perry and Jack Kramer. Jack Kramer was in California at Los Angeles Tennis Club. And he came over and we talked and he was unbelievably nice. And Fred Perry was just a huge thing for me to meet him. The first time I came over he actually gave me some tennis clothes and we had a hit. And one of the things that stuck in my mind he said: When you let the ball go to start the rally, he said, You do that just like a pro. And I must’ve been fourteen or fifteen. I was just out of the Orange Bowl and playing in Florida. Those are the two that really stuck in my mind.”
Funny Tennis Memory: “Last laugh…I wouldn’t know. I had some strange things. When I went to England and I was supposed to meet Prince Phillip and unfortunately I was late for the dinner and I got there and I didn’t know what to do. I got there and they said Just go in. And I was suspended for a few years. It was something strange that happened. But I enjoyed the occasion, he was wonderful, his guests were wonderful, so that, now I can laugh at it. But at the time I was a bit concerned about the circumstances.”
Closest Tennis Friends: “Lots and lots of friends. Lots of places I went to visit that had wonderful people and I think, those days, we had a better chance to get around real people. Because it was just me and me. It was not like the players today – they are so protected. And you never get to talk with them. Like now you would need to get through ten people to get to me, wouldn’t it? So…and it’s nice to be able to do things and I still keep in touch with most of the people that I first met and some of the homes that I stayed with – I still go back and see them. That’s really a very good sign.”
Funniest Players Encountered: “I like very much Roy Emerson, one of the greatest players of all time. He was a very nice guy, very funny, he always had an answer for everything. He made us laugh when we practiced, he was very easy going. I think Roy was one of the best characters that I went across.”
Why Do You Love Playing Tennis: “I don’t know. I was born with a gift. And I made use of it. And I think I brought everything I have and everything I have been in to tennis. I still enjoy the sport, I enjoy the exercise, it’s easy for me to play. But I think most of all it’s to see that it can give some people some enjoyment for what I do. And it’s nice to have people come up to me and say We enjoyed so much when you played, you make things look so easy. So that’s a great reward.”
Favorite Sport Outside Tennis: “No, tennis [smiles].”
Favorite Players To Watch: “I liked to watch Martina when she was at the top. Sampras. Laver. I think today everything is a bit boring. I like to watch Federer because the manner in which he plays and conducts himself and he’s a great person. And I like to watch Nadal because of his heart. It’s so difficult to see people do what he does, match after match after match. And the first point and the last point, never excuses.”
You Hit With Federer: “Yes, yes, in Brazil. To me it was a fantastic hit. And we had lots of laughs. I think Roger has a special thing about him that Bill Clinton has, he makes you feel like he’s just there for you. Whether it’s a party or he’s playing, he concentrates on you and it makes you feel good. Like Bill Clinton has that touch. If you come into a room with him, he comes to talk to you. You say, Oh gosh, this guy came here just for me. I think that’s a great asset, especially now.”
Last Book Read: “Not a tennis book. I loved to read history books. I just did a huge thing on the Tudors. I was in England, I spent a lot of time visiting castles and I read a lot about history. And every time I have a chance that’s where I go.”
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: “Chocolate.”
Favorite Tournaments: “Wimbledon. Rome. US Open.”
Fiercest Competitors Encountered: “I think Margaret Court, the Australian. She never gave you anything. She was really fighting for everything. And again, for our time, she was very big, a huge girl, now nothing compared to all the size. But she was very fit and played really well. It was difficult to play her.”
People Qualities Most Admired: “Being honest. Respectful. And being a legitimate person, that you don’t have to worry about anything. They’re not after you for any other reason but you.”
catherine · June 9, 2018 at 7:54 am
Really good you got to do that interview Scoop and interesting to hear how friendly and sociable Maria was away from tennis. She had this reputation for being distant and unapproachable but I think she was just probably quite shy when she first appeared on the tennis circuit and took time to get to know people. She had many friends in Britain.
Great shame her career was cut short.
You have to agree with her comments on the modern game and the media circus.
Hartt · June 10, 2018 at 8:35 am
Scoop, thanks so much for this. Maria played before I started following tennis, so I didn’t know about her. She had such an amazing career, and your piece gave a good sense of her personality.
Scoop Malinowski · June 10, 2018 at 8:47 am
Hartt, thank you, I never met a queen but Maria Bueno had the grace and presence of a queen, more so than the one we see from England. No offense of course, but Maria Bueno was that impressive.
catherine · June 10, 2018 at 9:39 am
You’ve often been in the presence of Her Majesty Scoop ? I think I’ve spotted you at those Garden Parties 🙂
One thing Maria was apparently a little bitter about, according to some, was that the big money only came into tennis after her time. You can understand her feelings, since she was around Margaret Court’s age and might have played a while as a pro if fate hadn’t intervened in the form of injuries etc.
Her rivalry with Margaret was big news – great contrast. We could do with something like that now.
Scoop Malinowski · June 10, 2018 at 11:11 am
Catherine, you are mistaken, that was Duke at those royal garden parties hobnobbing with Maria Bueno, I did not get the invites 🙂