Two days before his 19th birthday, Henrique Rocha (590th in the world ranking) made history by qualifying for the main frame of the Estoril Open. The young tennis player defeated the Hungarian Mate Valkusz (238th ATP) this Sunday 6-4 and 6-2 and thus secured a place in the elite of the largest Portuguese tournament.
He is the youngest Portuguese player to participate in the main frame of the Millennium Estoril Open, where he is joined by Nuno Borges and João Sousa.
The young tennis player from Maia, current under-18 national champion, is entering an ATP tournament for the first time, even before starting on the track challenger – is expected to compete in Jamor’s Challenger 125. “If someone said I would debut on an ATP board for a challenger he said he was crazy! Yesterday at the end of the day I remembered that. This is my birthday week and I remember getting my first stitch in my birthday week, on Easter Sunday. If someone told me that after two hours I would play for one on the Estoril Open board challenger I wouldn’t believe it,” confessed the maiato.
Henrique Rocha had a sensational 2023 – in February he won his first ITF title in Vila Real de Santo António and moved up about 260 places in the world hierarchy – and will make his debut at a heavyweight. Fabio Fognini or Dominic Thiem are possibilities. “Whatever happens, I’m ready for the fight (…) Thiem would say it would be harder to face him mentally. Despite not being in the best shape, his name carries a lot of weight. I have also a lot of admiration for Fognini , especially for his talent. He’s a great player and has a great career. It’s always a very dangerous game. Thiem in these conditions, where the ball bounces a lot, it’s good to get back in shape. I don’t know Zapata very well, I remember him in the Maia and I know he evolved, Van Assche I already know better, he’s my age He grew up a little faster than me no doubt That would be the one I know best and would be more comfortable to play,” the tennis player analyzed.
This Sunday Frederico Silva lost to Sebastian Ofner, in three sets (7-6, 6-7 and 3-6) and did not enter the tournament. Later, Pedro Sousa faces Timofey Skatov and can strengthen the Portuguese contingent in the main frame.
(updated)
Source: DN
