Jaime Faria needs football to be happy. Going to the stadium with his friends to cheer on Sporting Clube de Portugal is what helps him recharge between the demands of life on tour.
“With my friends we have that culture: pre-match, match, post-match. Very nice. Imagine when it is the derby against Benfica. We walk to the stadium together. That gives me so much life when I come back home — to disconnect a little from tennis and be with friends. It is a beautiful way to recharge,” the Portuguese player, ranked 79th in the ATP rankings, tells CLAY.
He has a season ticket at the Estádio José Alvalade, the club where his compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo developed as a player. Yet the 23-year-old idolises Lionel Messi: “I am a huge Messi fan, so I would have liked him to win another Cup — but if Portugal had won I would have gone crazy.”
Interview with Jaime Faria
— Tennis in Portugal is developing. You are part of a generation giving hope to a country without major successes in the sport.
— The truth is that, unfortunately, we do not have the quality or the history of other European or South American countries — we are a country without a strong tennis tradition. But we have a very exciting generation now, with Nuno Borges inside the top 50, Henrique Rocha is young and very solid too, he had good results at some Challengers this year. And I have broken into the top 100, and well, the others coming through as well — we believe we can do something very special. In Davis Cup it is not easy, but we try to go further. I know I have an important role, perhaps for the few who follow tennis in Portugal, to be a prominent figure. We have a Portuguese tennis legend who recently retired, João Sousa — the biggest figure for us — and he helps me a lot, he is often at the tournaments. My coach is former player Pedro Sousa. Rui Machado, who also played, is with me too. I think having those people in my team makes all the difference when it comes to achieving things at the bigger tournaments. I am working on becoming more consistent — I have played a lot of Challengers and now I am getting more into the ATP events.
— How do you see the level of the tour today? Players say it is getting harder and harder, that anyone can beat anyone, and that the top 50 is very tight. Have you played against players in the top 20? How does your level compare to theirs?
— I feel a much better player than I was when I broke in last year. Then I injured my wrist, had to stop for two months, and when I came back I was no longer in the top 100. But now I feel a much better player, with a lot more experience. And one thing is certain: the Challenger and ATP levels are very close, and you have to make the most of it when you get into ATP events and pick up points, because I do not see that much of a difference. The top 20, the top 10 is another step up, but you have to be there to compete with them and raise your level. Sometimes it is not so much about tennis — it is a little more mental, staying there throughout the whole match, making the most of small chances. Everything is being decided by details.
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— Do you think the mental side is what makes the difference?
— I think so, yes. Body language, how you look from the outside — that matters enormously. There are some who are on another level, but I feel like a better player every day, making the most of this moment working with my team. I need to establish myself in the top 100 and keep growing from there.
— What are your dreams in tennis?
— I was never someone with many big dreams. I always said I wanted to play Slams — I did that. When I started getting more serious about tennis, I said I wanted to be in the top 100 — I did that too. Now I would say being very happy in Davis Cup, because it is something I achieved by winning matches. Representing Portugal is an incredible feeling. Those three things, and no more. Right now just enjoy it — it has been a very beautiful journey, but you have to keep going. For bigger things maybe the dreams change, but the dreams I had as a kid, thankfully I am already seeing them come true.
— What did you make of the boycott the top players staged at Roland Garros and Wimbledon? Did anyone consult you?
— No, I am not at that media level yet to be part of something like that. I will only say that if they ask me, I am with them, because you have to fight for better conditions for everyone. I do not have much of an opinion because they did not come to me — I do not know much about it.
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— What do you enjoy outside of tennis?
— I am a huge football fan. Massive. With my friends, whenever I am in Portugal, we go to watch matches. I have a season ticket at Sporting Lisboa, I have my seat at the stadium all year. I am obsessed. During the World Cup I was going to bed late because I was watching all the matches. I enjoy football enormously.
— You watch matches with your family, with your friends.
— Yes, we have that culture: pre-match, match, post-match. Very nice. Imagine when it is the derby against Benfica. We walk to the stadium together. That gives me so much life when I come back home — to disconnect a little from tennis and be with friends. It is a beautiful way to recharge.
— Do you get excited with the Portuguese national team?
— A lot, yes. I am a huge Messi fan, so I would have liked him to win another Cup — but if Portugal won I would have gone crazy.
— Did you fantasise about a Portugal vs Argentina final?
— No, no! Portugal! Always Portugal. Although if Messi won, that was fine too (laughs).
— Have you ever met Cristiano Ronaldo?
— No, Cristiano is on another level. I have a good relationship with Francisco Trincão, who plays for Sporting. We sometimes exchange a few messages. He is a great guy and has phenomenal talent.
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