Nitto ATP Finals
8,000 matches later, Carlos Bernardes says goodbye to tennis
Brazilian ends 30-plus yr 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 most effective seat in the home. One of many sport’s most revered officers, the Brazilian has presided over among 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, conserving 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 remaining 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 approach 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 obtained assigned to america. I bear in mind an early occasion in San Jose in 1996,” he stated with a smile. “That match featured Sampras, Agassi, and Chang. Sampras was No. 1. It was unbelievable — to go from taking part in tennis on Brazilian streets to umpiring Sampras and Agassi.”
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Carlos Bernardes with ATP Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi in Turin. Picture Credit score: Corinne Dubreuil/ATP Tour
Out 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 greatest stars.
“I’ve executed 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 feel a few of my longest matches have been with Murray — 4 hours on courtroom, and he’d nonetheless push by way 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 profitable. That respect from gamers means so much.”
Considered one of Bernardes’ fondest recollections 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 remaining, the place Novak Djokovic defeated Nadal to say the title and ascend to No. 1.
“Wimbledon is magic,” Bernardes stated. “I began taking part in tennis due to Wimbledon. Attending to umpire on Centre Courtroom — it’s incomparable. That 2011 remaining was really particular.”
Bernardes has seen first-hand how the game has grown, advanced and adjusted, making him a fountain of data 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 inns.
“I like Melbourne — I can stroll again to the resort at 2 a.m! Tokyo was all the time 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 all the time 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 this time, Bernardes leaves a sport remodeled by expertise. Digital line calling is already widespread and can be obligatory on the Tour by 2025, with restricted trials of video evaluation underway. Although Bernardes embraced the high-stakes stress of creating line calls, he understands the shift.
“It’s totally 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 take heed to the music within the stadium. It’s changing into extra mechanical, and we must be cautious. I loved the stress of creating the appropriate name. Now, even when I feel a ball is out, I sit again and let expertise determine.”
Seated within the officiating room at Turin’s Inalpi Area, Bernardes displays warmly on his recollections. His eyes gentle up most, although, when he speaks of the folks he’s met.
“I’ve so many tales, and I’m fortunate. I’ve executed over 8,000 matches — simply 1 % of that leaves loads of recollections,” Bernardes stated. “Nevertheless it’s the folks I’ve met that stand out. We’re away from dwelling for half our lives, so that you embrace the folks and the locations. This yr, followers and other people got here as much as me — that’s been fantastic. It’s a terrific 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.”
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Jannik Sinner shakes arms with Carlos Bernardes. Picture Credit score: Corinne Dubreuil/ATP Tour
