Thomaz Bellucci
While to many people the sports stars of Brazil tend to be footballers, racers and fighters, tennis is a huge sport in Brazil. For many Brazilian tennis fans, one of the names who has been most impressive in recent years is Tiete-born Thomaz Bellucci. An impressive tennis player who has been professional since 2005, his left-handed style and his significant size (6’2’) makes him stand out on the court. Imposing, accurate and swift with his finishes, the excellent big Brazilian has long been seen as one of the country’s most impressive recent tennis exports.
With a career-high ranking of 21st, he’s won an impressive 4 titles in his career. He believes, as others do, that his accurate and forceful serve mixed with his excellent forehand strength is one of the reasons why he has gotten so far in the game. Decisive on the court with such ferocity in his swings, he’s regularly been a player to be feared due to his incredible physique and strength.
He plays his best tennis on clay, without doubt. Outside of his home country, where the Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro events are his favourite, he loves Roland Garros. It’s this decisive and demanding nature on the court that makes sure he stands out as one of the best tennis players in South America.
When he isn’t on the pitch trying to win more titles, he’s either playing video games or he gets to enjoy his beloved Palmeiras of Sao Paulo play football. A talented player himself, Bellucci is a football fanatic – like many of his countrymen.
His best Grand Slam performances have arrived when he reached the Fourth Round at the 2010 Roland Garros, while he has reached the third round of Wimbledon and the US Open in 2010 and 2015, respectively. He reached the Quarters and Semi Finals of the ATP Masters, defeating Murray and Berdych before losing to Djokovic in three sets. He’s also lost to Djokovic in Rome three times – in 2010, 2015 and 2016.
His title wins are the 2009 Gstadd, 2012 Gstaad, 2015 geneva and also a Doubles title in Stuttgart in 2013, playing alongside Bagnis. With 9 Challenger singles titles, too, he’s won a lot of impressive titles in what has been a very respectable career.
