Champions Of Change: Bruno Soares
Introducing Brazilian tennis legend and HIA #62 Bruno Soares.
Bruno’s Doubles career spanned just over two thriving decades. Finishing 2020 as the #1 ranked doubles team in the world, he took out the US Open three times and the Australian Open twice, alongside 33 other ATP titles over the course of his time on court. You can now find Bruno as an established entrepreneur. Partner to many projects, including a financial advisory project that helps fund solutions to issues found within health, sports and education.
We sat down to unpack the mind behind the mastery.
Hi Bruno.
Hey Marcus.
Can you share a pivotal moment in your career that defined your path as an athlete?
The first time I really understood what it meant to be a professional tennis player. I was 11 years old and was listening to Thomaz Koch (a former Brazilian tennis player) talk about what it was like.
Bruno and his son Noah at the US Open.
Who has been your biggest inspiration in sports or life, and why?
My parents, for setting such a great example for us of what hard work and respect looked like. For showing all of us that the dream was possible.
What’s the best piece of advice you've ever received?
If you wanna go fast go alone but if you wanna go far go with a team.
What does a typical training day look like for you?
It’s simple:
3 hours of tennis
1.5 hours of fitness
1.5 hours of physio/recovery
Eat well
Rest
What’s the strangest yet most effective training that's worked for you?
Doing sprints with a parachute holding me.
Do you have a pre-game ritual, song, or meal?
No, just staying focused on my corner with my team. Relaxing the mind and preparing for the game.
How do you stay motivated?
Remembering how hard I worked to be there and thinking about how good it feels to win.
What techniques do you use to stay focused and composed?
Thinking about the process. Talking to my team and family and making sure I’m always trying to improve.
What has been the biggest challenge you've faced in your career and how did you overcome it?
An injury I had in 2005 that lasted 2 years. It was a really difficult moment which I overcame by staying close with my loved ones, finding strength in the fact that my childhood dream hadn’t come true just yet.
What is it about your mindset that's enabled you to succeed in your sport?
Always thinking it’s day 1. Nothing beats hard work.
Thanks for your sharing your valuable insight Bruno, food for thought.
To follow Bruno @brunosoares82