Tennis is one of the most ungrateful sports regarding longevity. Rarely does one see athletes over 30 years of age reaching glory on the Tennis courts all around the world. But there are exceptions to every rule. Two such great examples are André Agassi, from the USA, gold medallist in the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games, who ended his career at 36 years old and Leander Paes, from India, bronze in the same edition of the Games, who, among Tennis players, became the record-holder for most appearances in Olympic Games editions.

Like wine, whose taste improves over time, Swiss Roger Federer and US citizen Serena Williams, both 31 years old, keep enviably fit and still improve in sport. Last year, Federer won his seventh Wimbledon title as well as the silver medal in the London Games. Serena is once again world number 1 and left the English capital with two gold medals (singles and doubles).

Federer will turn 35 years old during Rio 2016™. Recently, he reached the 900 victories mark in his career and won his 77th title, 17 of those in Grand Slam tournaments, an absolute record. The Swiss made his Olympic debut in Sydney 2000, when he lost the third place playoff but met the love of his life in the Olympic Village: former Tennis player Mirka Vavrinec, the mother of his twin daughters, Charlene Riva and Myla Rose.

In Beijing 2008, Federer won the gold medal in doubles and, in London 2012, he experienced some unforgettable moments, especially during the tournament’s semi-final when he defeated Argentinean Juan Martín del Potro, who initially held the upper hand, two sets to one, with 3-6, 7-6 (7-5) and 19-17 partial scores. The match lasted 4h26, the longest best-of-three-sets match in history. Rio 2016™ will be the fifth Games edition in which the Tennis star will be able to participate.

“The Olympic Games are special. They take place once every four years. There is a lot of pressure and enthusiasm from every one to have a great performance. It’s an incredible atmosphere and indescribable feeling”, Federer said, just before making his debut in London.

In turn, Serena Williams defeats every adversary she faces. Last Tuesday, the 25th, she made her Wimbledon debut with a victory over Mandy Minella, from Luxembourg. It was her 32nd consecutive victory in the international circuit, the longest sequence in sport for 13 years. Earlier this month, Serena was once again victorious in Roland Garros, 11 years after her first victory.

Champion in 2002 on the French clay courts, Serena defeated Russian Maria Sharapova, the world number 2 and won her 16th Grand Slam title in singles, only two less than retired stars Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert. Sharapova faced her as well in the London Olympic final. The US citizen played a perfect match, winning the first nine games as well as the gold medal with a 6-0 and 6-1 score.

After her triumph in the London grass courts, Serena held a press conference. “I plan to be in Rio in 2016. Only something exceptional could stop me from going. I love my sport and gold is my favourite colour”, said the winner of four Olympic gold medals, three in doubles together with sister Venus.

Bia Haddad smiles after winning the second runner-up in junior doubles at Roland Garros (Photo: Personnal archive)

Brazilian women have not competed in a Grand Slam for 20 years

Brazilian Tennis experiences a lean period. 29-year-old Rogério Dutra Silva, from the State of São Paulo, is the only Brazilian to have competed in the last two men’s Grand Slams. World number 100, Rogerinho, as he is called, was eliminated in Roland Garros and Wimbledon in the first round. Since Maria Esther Bueno, there has not been a Brazilian athlete fighting for important titles in women’s Tennis. Andrea Vieira, known as Dadá, was the last Brazilian to play a women’s Grand Slam tournament, the 1993 US Open.

Currently, young Beatriz Maia Haddad, or simply Bibi, is Brazilian Tennis greatest discovery. She is the country’s greatest hope for a fine performance in the Rio 2016™ Olympic Games. The youngster, who has just turned 17, comes from a family of sportspeople and has just started to follow a successful path. She is coached by Larri Passos, Guga’s former coach, and started to play, when she was five years old, with her mother and aunt who run a Tennis school and work with beginners in Tennis.

“I dream of being among the world’s top Tennis players and of winning a Grand Slam”, said the athlete whose highlights in Tennis are the service and forehand. She also expects to have a good performance in the first South American edition of the Games. “Competing in the Olympic Games at home will be a unique opportunity for Brazilians to give it their all in front of their fans. It certainly will encourage everyone to follow closely such a competitive sport”.