Felipe Priante
Sao Paulo-SP) – The main name in Brazilian tennis today, Beatriz Haddad Maia from São Paulo knows that with great power comes great responsibilities and that is why with each step forward she takes in her career, the demands end up increasing. Already with considerable experience on the circuit, the 27-year-old athlete says she has learned to deal with the criticism she receives on social media and tries not to pay too much attention to it.
“I feel valued in Brazil, but I have suffered a lot due to criticism and comments. The people talking don’t know your day to day life, they have no idea what you’re going through. Constructive criticism is a fundamental thing, every public person has to know how to deal with it, but there are those that are not necessary”, said the left-handed woman from São Paulo at a press conference held last Tuesday.
+ Bia wants to establish herself in the top 10 and dreams of a Grand Slam
+ Click here and follow the TenisBrasil Channel on WhatsApp
“I’ve read a lot and realized that the problem with certain comments lies with the person, it’s not my problem. I don’t feed on that. I know that we Brazilians are very results-oriented, but athletes are human beings”, added Bia, who after winning the WTA Elite Trophy will end the season defending Brazil in the Billie Jean King Cup.
The São Paulo native finds herself increasingly respected on the circuit and hopes to use this to help national tennis. “My status has changed, little by little I have gained space with my personality and not just with my tennis. I think that nowadays I am respected by the girls in the top 20, where I have consolidated myself in the last year and a half. I hope I can use this in a positive way to open doors for Brazilian women.”
+ Podcast: Women’s tennis continues to make history
+ Bia puts Brazil back on the tennis world map
After accumulating US$2,061,321 in prizes this year (US$4,545,577), Bia commented on the exhibition of values and assured that titles are and achievements are more important than the financial side. “What moves me is not money. We talk a lot about how much the athlete earns, the prize money is exposed and not everyone would like it to be like that”, observed the São Paulo native.
“We have to understand that, on these amounts, we pay tax. As I am Brazilian, I have to pay 27% of what I earn. Furthermore, I have to pay for the flight, hotel, my team and food for all of them (at tournaments). My bills are very high and my biggest investment today is in my team and my career. Everything I receive I invest in myself”, concluded Bia.
