Since 2001, when Gustavo Kuerten immortalised his name after winning his third Roland Garros title on a clay court that a Brazilian Tennis player does not play a Grand Slam tournament final. In September 2006, Carlos Bernardes partially broke this spell. He did not enter the court in search of a trophy, but he made history when he became the first South American umpire to be chosen to work during one of the world’s greatest Tennis tournaments’ decision match.

Currently one of the most respected and revered professional umpires, Bernardes has reached his career’s apex. After more than 20 years as an international umpire and five Grand slam finals, only the cherry on the cake is missing for his CV to be complete: an Olympic Games final. And there is nothing quite like a dream come true in your home country. In an interview to the rio2016.com website, the 48 year-old umpire tells us a little about his background in sport and describes some of his career’s most memorable moments.

Rio 2016™: When and where did you start to play Tennis and how did your career as an umpire start?
Carlos Bernardes: I started to play Tennis in São Caetano do Sul. My friends and I would climb the wall of the old Lauro Gomes (the multisport complex) and we used to play at the weekend. The Tennis school owners would put the nets away but we would place a Track and Field barrier in the middle of the court and then we would play. One day, the lady in charge waited for us to climb the wall and, to our astonishment, invited us to play with the other people who came in through the main entrance (laughs). I started training at this place and when my father died, I was then 16 years old, I started to teach in order to help at home. I enjoyed teaching but I also worked as an umpire and then the moment arrived when I needed to choose just one option. My first professional tournament as umpire was an edition of the Federations Cup that was held at Pinheiros Club in the end of the 1980s. Tennis changed my life.

Rio 2016™: Please summarise your career. Which was your first great final?
CB: I have over 20 years of experience, if you take into consideration that I worked as line umpire as well. My first great final was in 2002, in Shanghai, China, when Lleyton Hewitt and Juan Carlos Ferrero faced each other for the Masters Cup. Since then, I took part in another three finals for the same Masters and five Grand Slam finals: three in singles (Wimbledon 2011, US Open 2006 and 2008) and two in doubles: US Open 2010 and Australia 2013.

Rio 2016™: And what about the Olympic Games? Which is your fondest memory? How about the most exciting match in which you worked?
CB: I worked in Athens 2004, Beijing 2008 and London 2012. I worked in a 2008 semi-finals match between James Blake and Fernando Gonzalez that was a good one. But the most exciting moments were two opening ceremonies: in London and Beijing. Those were unforgettable events and I hope Brazil will do its duty very well too.

In 2011, Bernardes wore the traditional Wimbledon suit in final game between Djokovic and Nadal (Photo: Personal archive)

Rio 2016™: Can you tell us a little bit more about this experience?
CB: Umpires do not parade, we only watch. But we have excellent seats next to various world-renowned sportspeople. The International Tennis Federation (ITF) offers us a ticket for the opening ceremony and another one for a sporting event. In 2004, I did not watch the parade but I was able to watch Swimming, Synchronised Swimming, Artistic Gymnastics, Volleyball and Athletics competitions. In Beijing, the opening ceremony included traditional Chinese elements and fantastic choreography. I also watched Volleyball, one of Brazil’s great matches. In London, the opening ceremony was very beautiful and well organised. The Tennis competitions were held in Wimbledon and it was great to be part of it as I believe we will never see such a colourful atmosphere in Wimbledon again.

Rio 2016™: Tennis players have become idols beyond sport. What is it like to share moments with living legends such as Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic?
CB: Well, besides being idols, we must not forget they are normal people, just like any other people we know. They are special because of the career they chose for themselves. It’s a normal coexistence.

Rio 2016™: Were you able to work in matches that Guga played? Was it different to work in one of his matches?
CB: Yes, I have worked in some of the matches he played. Even in finals. He is very charismatic on the court. He was so dear to the public that you could feel a different reaction from the audience, a different kind of energy. It is hard to explain it but I believe you can feel it when interviewing different people, don´t you think? You feel a different vibe with some of the people.

Rio 2016™: And how does one start in the sport? Just like in any other profession you must have faced many difficulties.
CB: It’s difficult like any other career but maybe even more so. You must travel the world in order to be seen and become known. This is the most difficult part because it takes a strong will as you are going to spend a lot of time away from family and friends.

Rio 2016™: You broke an important barrier when you became the first South American to work in a Grand Slam final. How was this moment?
CB: That was a very special moment. One day before the quarter-finals programme was unveiled the chief umpire called me to his office and said: there are players from the US, Spain, France and the UK so you will work in the final. Just like that. I could not believe it, I was speechless.

 Devoted fan, Bernardes takes a picture with Escadinha, owner of three Olympic medals: one gold and two silver (Photo: Personal archive)

Rio 2016™: Did you not believe you could take part in the final? You even bet this would not happen. What did you bet? An did you pay it?
CB: (laughs) How did you find out about this bet? (laughs) Indeed I did not believe it possible and I bet with Croatian umpire Marja Cicak that I would be her servant for three days if this happened. She said I would be the umpire in the final and I said she was mad. Fortunately, I lost this bet. (laughs) But I still haven’t paid it. I still owe her that.

Rio 2016™: Are there world refereeing categories? Since when are you in first level? How many people belong to first level and how many levels are there?
CB: Yes, world refereeing is divided in five categories: Gold Badge, with about 25 people worldwide; Silver, with about 50; then Bronze, White and Green. International umpires belong to the Bronze category or higher. I have been in the Gold Badge category for over 20 years.

Rio 2016™: What are your thoughts on the first South American edition of the Olympic Games? What benefits will the Games bring to Brazilian sport?
CB: It’s an honour and great responsibility to Brazil as we will represent all South America. The 2016 Games will be a unique moment. I believe it to be a win-win situation as we will present our beautiful country to the rest of the world. Organising the Olympic Games and the World Cup properly will be very important to us all.

Rio 2016™: What do you have to say to all those who will compete here and also to those who will watch this great event?
CB: To those who will compete, may they enjoy this magic moment because we Brazilians are excellent sports fans and I believe this will make all the difference in some disciplines. To those who will be watching this event, what I can say is that it’s a fantastic event, a magic moment. The country united through sport. I believe these will be unforgettable days.