Sanchez charged with reviving Brazilian tennis
Originally published on: 26/02/10 15:24
The man that brought the Davis Cup trophy back to his native Spain last November has taken on the role of transforming Brazilian tennis.
Emilio Sanchez Vicario has been appointed by the Brazilian Tennis Confederation as the new coordinator of the national game.
The 43-year-old Spaniard, who led his nation to Davis Cup glory in 2008, aims to raise the national standard of the game from juniors through to professionals.
Brazilian tennis has struggled to make an impact on the international circuit since the retirement of three-time French Open champion and former world No.1 Gustavo Kuerten.
The highest ranked player is currently world No.84 Thomaz Bellucci, with Marcos Daniel Brazils only other player in the top 100 at No.91.
Vivian Segnini is the highest ranked player on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour singles list at No.348.
In team tennis, the Brazilian women are stuck in the Americas Group 1, while the Davis Cup team is competing in the equivalent regional zone of the 2009 competition.
The mens squad reached the semi-finals of the Davis Cup back in 1992 and 2000.
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