Roger Federer<\/a>, but I don’t try to be like him. I think we have really different ways to play. I mean, it’s almost impossible to try to play like Roger. He’s unique, and I feel like I play a bit with my physique. I have good physique, which I can use a lot. And then I started as a kid having good forehand and playing hard, so I started doing that more, and now I’m also serving a bit better. I’m happy with my style.<\/p>\n\u2014 So, about your tennis style \u2014 which tennis star does it resemble the most?<\/p>\n
\u2014 I would say maybe to Casper Ruud!<\/p>\n
\u2014 How far do you feel in terms of level to the top guys of your same generation? Don’t you think Alcaraz and Sinner play a totally different sport?<\/p>\n
\u2014 Of course, Alcaraz and Sinner are on a whole different level, in a completely different step. I think the level, from a certain point of a ranking, is similar. This is about consistency. The most consistent guys are the ones who are above, but I feel like the level between 50 and 100 is very similar. It just depends on the consistency throughout the year and if you can perform well in all the surfaces.<\/p>\n
\u2014 What do you like besides tennis?<\/p>\n
\u2014 I like to go to the beach. I like to hang out with friends, playing cards. I like to go out sometimes with friends also during the night. That’s my favourite thing. And watching sunsets!<\/p>\n
\u2014 Portugal is perfect to watch sunsets… and to surf. Do you surf?<\/p>\n
\u2014 No. It’s something that I would like to learn and I’m still thinking about it. I mean, nowadays I don’t have much time, but when I’m on vacation or something, I already took one or two lessons at home. In Portugal, we have a lot of surf. It’s a very nice place to surf, so I wish I could do it better because I feel like it’s a mental escape, a way to go away from your life and your thoughts. The ocean and the beach… just being there feels so nice.<\/p>\n
\u2014 There’s a debate about matching outfits in tennis. Two players with the same sponsor face each other\u2026 looking exactly the same, same clothes. Has it happened to you?<\/p>\n
\u2014 It has happened to me, yes. Against Alex Michelsen last year we were using exactly the same kits. For me it doesn’t make a lot of difference. I like to wear what I’m using. I’m very happy to be part of the Adidas family. But, I mean, in the end, it’s just outfits. It doesn’t really matter if we are playing with the same outfits or not. I don’t have to feel that special.<\/p>\n
\u2014 There is a very funny and cute TikTok video around. Do know what I’m talking about?<\/p>\n
\u2014 Yes (smile).<\/p>\n
\u2014 A girl, a fan of yours, saying she doesn\u2019t need a dating app\u2026 she can find you somewhere else.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Yes (laughter). It was in Lima, Peru.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Tell me the story.<\/p>\n
\u2014 I was playing quarterfinals in Lima, in a Challenger. And I had these fans watching. And they took a picture, they posted it. And in the end, they sent it to me, they posted the story. I saw it and I replied saying thank you for the support, something like this. And then they asked me, if I had any tickets for the next round, they wanted to come. And I said, yeah, for sure. I’m in Lima. It’s not like I have many people here to give away tickets. So, of course, \u201cI’ll try to get some tickets for you\u201d. And then she posted what she posted: some photos of me playing and everything, how we connected online. So, it went viral.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Didn\u2019t she invite you to a Pisco Sour after?<\/p>\n
\u2014 No. I had to leave the day after. We didn’t go for a drink, no.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Being a young, successful, and good-looking tennis player like you\u2026 that must attract many girls to your DM\u2019s. How is it like?<\/p>\n
\u2014 I mean, yeah. I feel like if I would be studying a career in a university, it would be similar. I mean, it’s a bit different, of course, because I get to travel and know much more people than just the people at home. But in the end, I’m just a normal guy living my life at full. And I don’t pay much attention to that. Of course, I like when I go out with friends and maybe speak to one girl or another. But I think that’s not the most important thing. And just spending time with my friends and being together, it’s the best feeling.<\/p>\n
\u2014 And when you’re flirting with a girl during a night out, do you tell her: \u201cI\u2019m a tennis player\u201d?<\/p>\n
\u2014 No! (laughter). If they don’t know, normally, I never say that. Because I don’t like (to show it off). Otherwise, girls will like me for that and I\u2019m not looking for that precisely.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Tattoos are getting popular among tennis player. Do you have any?<\/p>\n
\u2014 No, no tattoos. No, I like to see them in other people, but on me? It wouldn’t be so nice. So I won’t do it. My parents are also no tattoos people, so they wouldn’t allow me (laughter). It’s a choice.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Portuguese tennis doesn\u2019t have a rich history. Why?<\/p>\n
\u2014 The Federation has been doing a better job now. Now we have Nuno (Borges), that’s the second-best player of all time. And now me and Jaime (Faria) showing up. We are young. Maybe we’re still going to get to the top hundred. The Federation has supported us and other players much more. I feel like the future can be much more promising than even now.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Would you like to try to be the greatest Portuguese player of all time?<\/p>\n
\u2014Yes, of course, but it’s not something that I think every day.<\/p>\n