Sao Paulo-SP) – A big fan and tennis player, football player Alexandre Pato was at Ibirapuera Park this Wednesday to watch the opening event of the Roland Garros Junior Series, a qualifying tournament for the youth group of the French Grand Slam that takes place from 3 to April 7th on the Harmonia clay courts, in São Paulo.
In conversation with TenisBrasil, the striker with stints at Milan and the Brazilian national team spoke about his relationship with the sport and revealed who his idols are on the court. He also told a story that he lived with Roger Federer when he played in Italy.
“I always liked [de tênis]. When I was at Milan, I was already sponsored by Nike and I met Federer, and then I exchanged a national team shirt for a signed racket. But I really wanted to play, I was very anxious and I didn’t have another racket, so I immediately went to play with the one he had signed. And in one of those games I ended up losing the autograph and to this day I try to find it again so he can do the autograph again”, said the 34-year-old athlete with good humor.
According to Pato, the Swiss owner of 20 Grand Slam titles is his biggest reference in tennis, although he also has great admiration for other players, including Argentine Juan Martín del Potro, who is an ambassador for the tournament held in the capital of São Paulo and also was present at the event. The two shared the court and even hit the ball together.
“It’s not because he’s here by my side, but I didn’t even know him and I went to Beijing to see one of his games. I really like Federer, Djoko, I talk to Djoko, I talk to Thiem, I like Alcaraz. But what really stood out is Federer, and for me he is number 1”, he revealed.
+ Click here and follow the TenisBrasil Channel on WhatsApp
The striker also spoke about the current situation in Brazilian tennis and highlighted his support for João Fonseca and Beatriz Haddad Maia, also recalling the influence of Gustavo Kuerten in his life. “I was from Guga’s generation, a guy who always set a great example for sports fans and also for those who are involved in the sport. And now I’m even happier because we have Bia and João carrying our flag high,” he said.
Still talking about the new generation, Pato highlighted a special name: Pedro Faria, just 10 years old and who is his nephew (son of his sister-in-law Patrícia Abravanel and businessman Fábio Faria). For him, he is a young talent who can give a lot to talk about in the future. “One day you will be surprised by him. I’m speaking today and not because I’m his uncle, but he has a great future”, he assured.
