👧 Maria Brito de Sousa | Tennis Papers interview, October 2025

“I’d love to play a Roland-Garros final with my family — and Rafael Nadal — watching!”

Meet Maria Brito de Sousa, Portuguese girl junior tennis player who lives in Porto, Portugal and competing in U12 tennis category.
Maria is champion of Portugal in the U12 category.

(Information gathered via an exclusive interview by Tennis Papers).

📘 Maria Brito de Sousa | Biography, October 2025

🏠 Residence | Porto, Portugal

🌍 Porto is a beautiful coastal city in northern Portugal, famous for its charm and history.
🏰 The city’s old town, Ribeira, is full of colorful houses and narrow streets by the Douro River.
🍷 Porto is world-famous for its port wine and delicious local food.
🌅 With stunning bridges, friendly people, and ocean views, Porto is a city full of warmth and soul.

🎙️Maria Brito de Sousa | Interview, October 2025

Hello, introduce yourself please.
Hi! My name is Maria Brito de Sousa, I’m 12 years old, I was born on March 7, 2013, I’m Portuguese, and I live in Porto.

What languages ​​do you speak?
I speak Portuguese, English, and I’ve also started learning Spanish.

At what age did you start playing tennis?
I started playing tennis when I was 8 years old. I went to try a class and immediately fell in love with the sport!

Are there other tennis players in your family?
No, no one plays seriously. My parents play just for fun, especially on weekends, but now they’re my biggest fans!

In which club do you train tennis?
I train at the Sport Club do Porto, where I feel really good. It’s a club with great facilities and amazing people.

Who is your tennis coach?
My tennis coach is Carlos Vale, and my fitness coach is Tiago Albano. They help me a lot to improve and always push me to give my best. They’re very important to me.

What is your weekly training routine?
I do 5 tennis training sessions per week and 4 fitness training sessions. It’s intense, but I love it and feel like I’m always improving.

What is your best shot and things you need to improve?
My best shot is the cross-court forehand — I like to play aggressively. I still need to improve my serve, especially in important moments during matches.

What is your junior tennis category and your national tennis ranking?
I play in the Under-12 category, and I’m currently ranked 15th nationally.

What are your best tennis results?
I’ve won several tournaments and reached the final stages of national competitions.
I’ve also had some great matches in international tournaments. I’m proud of my journey so far!

In which countries have you already participated in tennis tournaments?
I’ve played in Portugal, Spain, Germany, and Italy. I love traveling, competing, meeting new players, and experiencing different environments.

What is the first country you dream of playing in?
I really want to play in France, especially at Roland-Garros, which is one of my favorite tournaments.

Do you have any sponsors?
Not yet, but I’d love to have one in the future. For now, I count on the full support of my family, who are always there for me!

What is your tennis dream?
My dream is to become a professional tennis player, compete in the Grand Slams, and represent Portugal at the highest level.
I’d love to play a Roland-Garros final with my family — and Rafael Nadal — watching!

Who are your favorite tennis players?
I really admire Rafael Nadal for his strength, humility, and attitude on and off the court. I also love Aryna Sabalenka because she plays with power and confidence.

What do you like to do outside of tennis?
I enjoy listening to music, watching Netflix, hanging out with my friends, playing football with my dog Loki 🐶⚽, and spending time with my family, who are super important to me.

Thanks a lot Maria!
Tennis Papers wishes you the best in your tennis life 💜🩷

🎾 Maria Brito de Sousa | Tennis playing, October 2025

💪 Maria Brito de Sousa | Physical training, October 2025