Opening credits on Globo News
Making the national news
A couple of weeks ago, Maria Esther Bueno gave a lengthy interview to Roberto d’Ávila, a renowned Brazilian journalist famous for his television interviews for TV Globo’s News programme The Roberto D’avila Connection.
The thirty minute documentary, which contained footage of several of her wins, was aired nationally on 11 March in prime time to a massive audience and has since been repeated several times prompting high praise for Maria Esther’s articulate presentation and relaxed style in front of the camera.
A native of Sao Paulo, Maria Esther was dubbed the ‘Ballerina of Tennis’ after she won her first title at Wimbledon, aged just 18, the first of her many internationals titles in singles, doubles and mixed.
She went on to win three singles titles at Wimbledon and four singles US Championships, the first doubles Grand Slam in history and garnered 19 major titles among her 589 career tournament wins.
A relaxed and eloquent Maria Esther Bueno talks to Roberto D’avila about her life, success and the Olympics on Globo News.
“The interview went very well, I think,” Maria Esther told her website. “We were able to film in the garden at Harmonia [Sociedade Harmonia de Tênis] so it was nice and informal.
“Roberto has a way of making you feel very relaxed so it is like having a conversation with an old friend.”
A six-minute clip of the interview, which was conducted in Portuguese, can be viewed via this link > Click HERE
On the controversy at Indian Wells
Maria Esther has been following the action at Indian Wells where the play on the court was overshadowed by indiscreet remarks off it.
“I was a bit shocked to hear of Ray Moore’s remarks about women’s tennis,” she said. “In this day and age, he should have known better.
She was commenting on the story that broke overnight on Sunday when Moore was reported by the media as saying the WTA should get on their knees and thank Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal for lifting them up.
Raymond Moore, Chief Executive of Indian Wells, got himself into the news with his derogatory comments on women’s tennis
“In my next life when I come back I want to be someone in the WTA, because they ride on the coat-tails of the men,” said Moore, who is the Chief Executive of the Indian Wells tournament, after his traditional finals day breakfast with the media.
“They don’t make any decisions and they are lucky. They are very, very lucky. If I was a lady player, I’d go down every night on my knees and thank God that Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal were born, because they have carried this sport. They really have.
“And now the mantle is being handed over to Djokovic and Murray and some others. You know, that’s good.
“We have no complaints. You know, we pay equal prize money. Do all those things. We don’t have any complaints.”
Bradesco Ambassador Maria Esther Bueno champions equality
Maria Esther feels those unfortunate remarks have set the game back into the age old debate over equal prize money, an argument Novak Djokovic added fuel to after winning the tournament.
“I think that our men’s tennis world, ATP world, should fight for more because the stats are showing that we have much more spectators on the men’s tennis matches,” Djokovic said.
“I think that’s one of the reasons why maybe we should get awarded more. But, again, we can’t complain because we also have great prize money in men’s tennis is at the right moment in the right time.”
A slight chill between Indian Wells runner-up, Serena Williams, and Ray Moore at the presentation.
“Serena [Williams] was very quick to hit back,” noted Maria Esther. “She pointed out that last year the women’s final at the US Open sold out well before the men and I think that at the top of both games, they deserve to be paid equally.
“The issue is at the lower levels, perhaps, but I am not going to get into the debate when equality is now such an important one in many countries, including my own.
“I commentate on a lot of tournaments from the studios over here [in Brazil] and you see that there are very few people watching in the stands for both men’s and women’s matches, especially in the early rounds.
“The top players are very well paid now, in prize money and endorsements, so I don’t think they come out very well when they raise this sort of thing.
“I know that Ray [Moore] apologised later for his remarks. Perhaps he was joking, I don’t know, but I’d rather give him the benefit of the doubt and hope the whole thing settles down!”
As for the tennis?
Victoria Azarenka’s determination saw her through to an impressive win over the world number one.
“Well, it was a surprise, I suppose, that [Victoria] Azarenka beat Serena in straight sets but she has been so close before that perhaps it wasn’t?
“Serena has had a few tough losses lately and players start to believe that they can beat her so it is just going to get harder for her now.
“That doesn’t mean that she can’t win more Grand Slams – I think she can – but it puts a little doubt now into her head.
“Tennis is such a mental game that you have to have total belief in your abilities or you won’t win. That was something I touched on in my interview with Roberto [d’Ávila].
“I think it is what makes this game so special!”
Azarenka handed a stunning defeat to the world number one, triumphing 6-4 6-4 in an hour and 29 minutes and winning her second title at Indian Wells, the first one coming in 2012.
The 26-year-old Azarenka took home a little over $1 million and added 1,000 points to her women’s singles ranking, moving up to No 8, whereas Williams pocketed about $500,000 and 650 ranking points.
The victory enabled the Belarussian to return to the top 10 in the rankings for the first time since August 2014.
She is the only player to have defeated the 34-year-old Williams in four title matches.
Novak Djokovic taught a masterclass to Milos Roanic.
As for the men’s final?
“That was a masterclass by [Novak] Djokovic over [Milos] Roanic,” she continued.
“Roanic’s big weapon is his serve and Djokovic took care of that from the start. I think he was also nervous and fell behind so quickly that it was hard for him to recover.”
Djokovic crushed the Canadian 6-2 6-0 to win his fifth Indian Wells title.
He has won three in a row from 2014-16 and notched up his 62nd tour title, and third of the year after Doha and the Australian Open.
Djokovic secures an easy sixth win in Indian Wells
“Djokovic is so dominant right now,” concluded Maria Esther. “A bit how Serena was, very hard to beat.
“He is so strong both physically and mentally and doesn’t seem to miss anything but he did face some real challenges earlier in the week, dropping a set to a qualifier in the first round and being pushed very hard by both Kohlschreiber and Tsonga.
“Perhaps players are beginning to believe here too.”