American Yacht Club’s new director of tennis, Tiago Espirito Santo, hails from Brazil with an impressive tennis career and Latin charm. For the past six summers, he’s taught at Beach Point Club in Mamaroneck and during the winter season, he’s a pro at Rye Racquet Club.
By Georgetta L. Morque
American Yacht Club’s new director of tennis, Tiago Espirito Santo, hails from Brazil with an impressive tennis career and Latin charm. For the past six summers, he’s taught at Beach Point Club in Mamaroneck and during the winter season, he’s a pro at Rye Racquet Club.
A son of tennis-playing parents, Santo grew up in the Brazilian capital of Brasilia, where he took court at an early age. “As soon as I was walking, I was swinging,” he said. Known for a long time as “Caesar’s son” — his father was a well-known and accomplished player — Santo soon made a name for himself in tennis circles. His father would drop him off at their club at 7:30 a.m. and not return until evening. During that time, he played with whoever needed a game or a fourth. “I never discriminated. I played with everybody.” And when he didn’t have a game, he hit against the wall.
As a teenager, he moved to Rio to join a tennis program led by the Davis Cup coach. For two and a half years, he competed in pro tournaments, such as Futures and Challengers, and the European circuit. At 16, he earned his first ATP point in doubles and at 17, his first singles point.
After his stint in Rio, Santo came to the U.S. and played No.1 for Wichita State University and in 2008 as captain, led the team to its best season since 1994. He was ranked in the top 100 in the NCAA and was awarded All Conference Player three times before graduating with a degree in marketing. Santo looks back at his pro and college years as great experiences.
Thrilled to be at AYC, Santo has already jump-started the men’s program by coordinating a new men’s league, the Shoreline Tennis League, with five other area clubs. The league involves both singles and doubles competition, home and away, on Saturdays. He also hopes to reach out to his friends on the pro circuit to bring an exciting exhibition match to the club prior to the U.S. Open.
