Nitto ATP Finals
8,000 matches later, Carlos Bernardes says goodbye to tennis
Brazilian ends 30-plus 12 months profession in Turin
November 17, 2024
Corinne Dubreuil/ATP Tour
By Sam Jacot
For greater than three a long time, chair umpire Carlos Bernardes loved the perfect seat in the home. One of many sport’s most revered officers, the Brazilian has presided over a few of the recreation’s most memorable showdowns in tennis’s grandest arenas.
From Sampras and Agassi to the unforgettable Federer-Nadal rivalries, Bernardes has been proper there, courtside, protecting order. His storied journey got here to a becoming shut on the ATP Tour this week on the Nitto ATP Finals, the place he officiated his last ATP Tour match within the title showdown.
Bernardes reminisced on his profession to ATPTour.com in Turin.
“My first contact with tennis was as a child in Brazil. We used to leap the fence to play on the native membership till we lastly registered there. Since then, I’ve been a part of the sport, and I really feel so lucky to have had these experiences,” Bernardes stated.
In 1984, Bernardes started teaching and shortly discovered his means into officiating as a line choose at a regional Billie Jean King Cup tie in Sao Paulo. Balancing teaching and officiating throughout South America, his breakthrough got here in 1992 when he joined the ATP Tour as a chair umpire.
“I began with tournaments in South America, then bought assigned to america. I keep in mind an early occasion in San Jose in 1996,” he stated with a smile. “That event featured Sampras, Agassi, and Chang. Sampras was No. 1. It was unimaginable — to go from enjoying tennis on Brazilian streets to umpiring Sampras and Agassi.”
Carlos Bernardes with ATP Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi in Turin. Photograph Credit score: Corinne Dubreuil/ATP TourOut of the 29 gamers to succeed in No. 1 within the PIF ATP Rankings, Bernardes had the privilege of officiating 24 of them. From Mats Wilander to Jannik Sinner, he’s witnessed historic moments and constructed lasting relationships with the sport’s largest stars.
“I’ve finished matches with Sampras, Agassi, Chang, Edberg, Wilander, Becker. It was nice to see Boris Becker right here in Turin this week. He got here as much as speak to me, which was good. Becker had such charisma on courtroom. And the Sampras-Agassi matches have been unforgettable.”
Bernardes remembers the ‘particular’ period of Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, and Novak Djokovic, and the fun of umpiring Andy Murray, Juan Martin del Potro, and Stan Wawrinka.
“I believe a few of my longest matches have been with Murray — 4 hours on courtroom, and he’d nonetheless push by means of. I’d see him later and ask, ‘How did you do it?’ and he’d say, ‘I can’t stroll now,’ however he’d be again on courtroom the following day successful. That respect from gamers means so much.”
One in all Bernardes’ fondest reminiscences is umpiring Rafael Nadal’s first ATP Tour match in Mallorca in 2002, adopted by Nadal’s first encounter with Federer in Miami (2004). He additionally officiated the 2011 Wimbledon last, the place Novak Djokovic defeated Nadal to assert the title and ascend to No. 1.
“Wimbledon is magic,” Bernardes stated. “I began enjoying tennis due to Wimbledon. Attending to umpire on Centre Court docket — it’s incomparable. That 2011 last was really particular.”
Bernardes has seen first-hand how the game has grown, advanced and altered, making him a fountain of information in regard to the historical past of the sport. The 60-year-old grew to become a key a part of the travelling roadshow that’s the ATP Tour, journeying numerous miles and spending years of his life in resorts.
“I like Melbourne — I can stroll again to the resort at 2 a.m! Tokyo was at all times forward of the sport,” Bernardes stated when talking about his favorite cities. “Monte-Carlo is gorgeous, particularly when it’s not raining. And New York, the place I umpired at my first Grand Slam, is at all times unforgettable.
“Barcelona too. It’s a correct tennis occasion. If you wish to see a tennis occasion, that’s the one to go together with. There could also be two guys who’re decrease ranked, however will probably be packed within the stands.”
At present, Bernardes leaves a sport remodeled by know-how. Digital line calling is already widespread and shall be obligatory on the Tour by 2025, with restricted trials of video overview underway. Although Bernardes embraced the high-stakes strain of creating line calls, he understands the shift.
“It’s completely different now with digital calls — you don’t speak to gamers as a lot. There’s no have to overrule or clarify calls. Now, I simply hearken to the music within the stadium. It’s changing into extra mechanical, and we should be cautious. I loved the strain of creating the best name. Now, even when I believe a ball is out, I sit again and let know-how resolve.”
Seated within the officiating room at Turin’s Inalpi Enviornment, Bernardes displays warmly on his reminiscences. His eyes mild up most, although, when he speaks of the folks he’s met.
“I’ve so many tales, and I’m fortunate. I’ve finished over 8,000 matches — simply 1 p.c of that leaves loads of reminiscences,” Bernardes stated. “But it surely’s the folks I’ve met that stand out. We’re away from residence for half our lives, so that you embrace the folks and the locations. This 12 months, followers and folks got here as much as me — that’s been great. It’s an excellent atmosphere to be a part of.”
Bernardes will end his profession subsequent week on the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga however obtained heat phrases from Jannik Sinner following the title match on the Nitto ATP Finals, which the Brazilian umpired.
“Carlos, it has been an incredible profession,” Sinner stated. “I really feel privileged to be a part of your final ATP journey.”
Jannik Sinner shakes palms with Carlos Bernardes. Photograph Credit score: Corinne Dubreuil/ATP Tour
