Henrique Rocha’s Journey
When Henrique Rocha was just 15 years old, he made a bold move from his home in Porto, Portugal, to train at the Portuguese Tennis Federation in Lisbon, a distance of around 300 kilometers. This significant transition was not just geographical; it forced the young athlete to mature quickly and embrace the challenges of professional tennis.
Now, Rocha’s hard work is paying off as he currently ranks eighth in the PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah and is setting his sights on a historic debut at the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF. After a whirlwind 2023 season on the ITF World Tennis Tour, which included a grueling 85 singles matches last year, Rocha has adeptly transitioned to the ATP Challenger Tour.
“Four years ago, I would say I was still like a baby compared to now. Right now, I feel way more mature, maybe more than others. I would say that’s why I’m improving a bit faster,” Rocha shared with ATPTour.com. “This maturity has helped me be more consistent in matches and more focused during practice, putting in the necessary effort.”
Coach Pedro Sousa’s Insights
Supporting Rocha in his inaugural full Challenger season is his coach, Pedro Sousa, who hung up his racquet last October. Sousa quickly stepped into a coaching role within the Federation, sharing his time between working with Rocha and another promising player, 21-year-old Jaime Faria.
Sousa recalls his first impressions of Rocha during practice. What stood out to this eight-time ATP Challenger Tour champion?
“His power is not normal. His forehand and explosion were incredibly impressive for a 15-year-old,” Sousa remarked. “The way he moved and struck the ball was just unbelievable. It’s rare to see such power, even in the global tennis scene.”
That explosive firepower was instrumental in Rocha claiming his first ATP Challenger Tour title in Murcia this past March. For Rocha, consistency has been a critical area of growth as he competes at this level.
“In tennis, the more you play, the better you become. Every ball counts,” Rocha explained. “I’ve learned that practice, while sometimes grueling, is where it really matters. From the start of this year, my level has been strong, and I’ve been more consistent week after week. We aimed to improve my return and serve, and I’ve made significant progress in some areas.”
Goals for the Future
Despite being in their first full season together, Rocha and Sousa have built a solid bond over the years. One cherished memory they share occurred not on the court, but at Sousa’s wedding.
“My wedding was a blast because Henrique was around 16 or 17, and he was there with all the kids from the Federation. I had to invite everyone,” Sousa recalled. “It was a lot of fun to celebrate with him.”
Currently sitting at a career-high No. 164 in the PIF ATP Rankings, Rocha believes that their close-knit relationship enhances their experiences on the tour.
“If we’re spending 24 hours with someone, it should be someone like Pedro, who is also a friend. It’s just nice to be around someone like that,” Rocha noted.
With three months left in the ATP Challenger Tour season, Rocha aims to make history by potentially becoming the first Portuguese player to qualify for the 20-and-under Next Gen ATP Finals, scheduled for December 18-22 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
“This is an incredible opportunity. It’s been my goal since the start of the season, and I’ll focus on it for the coming months. I’ll do everything I can to get there,” Rocha stated. “I think it would be an amazing experience for me.”
If you want, you can check out the news where I found it.
Yours truly, Mia
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