This Is Tennis. This Is Nuno Borges.
Nuno Borges triumphed over Thanasi Kokkinakis in straight sets on Thursday, marking his first advancement to the third round of the US Open. The Portuguese player, who reached the fourth round at this year’s Australian Open, is now set to face Czech #NextGenATP player Jakub Mensik for a chance to move into the second week of the tournament.
“I’m feeling pretty good. Things have been going smoothly,” Borges commented. “While the results might suggest it’s been easy, there’s a lot happening in your mind during the matches, and it hasn’t been as simple as it appears. But I’m really pleased.”
“My last two Grand Slams weren’t great, so this new opportunity feels incredible. I’m thrilled to be in the third round—it’s a significant achievement. This is my best performance in the U.S., and this tournament holds a lot of meaning for me.”
In a chat with ATPTour.com, Borges shared his love for New York and discussed his hobbies and personality off the court.
If you could have dinner with three people, who would they be and why?
“I’d choose Roger [Federer] because he’s my tennis idol, LeBron [James] for being an amazing athlete, and Elon Musk because he’s the richest person. It would be an interesting experience!”
If you could swap places with someone for a day, who would it be and why?
“I wouldn’t really want to. However, I’d be curious to experience a culture I’m unfamiliar with, perhaps someone from Mozambique, since they speak Portuguese. It would be fascinating to see a different part of the world.”
What’s something people might not know about you that you find interesting?
“I enjoy building Legos, baking cakes, and doing creative activities like making pretend tents with my cousins. They might seem silly, but they show a more playful side of me, which contrasts with my competitive nature on the court.”
How often do you build Legos?
“Not very often. When I’m home for a week, I try to complete a big set.”
What are your main hobbies outside of Legos?
“I love doing puzzles and watching shows, which is convenient since I’m often traveling. I’ve also been reading manga to reduce screen time—it helps my eyes relax and distracts me from tennis. I enjoy playing card games too, but they’re not always available. Games like Connect Four or Tic Tac Toe are fun, although chess can be too demanding for me.”
What’s the coolest perk of being a tennis player?
“Attending Cirque du Soleil in Montreal was amazing. I had heard about them before, and I was thrilled to finally see a performance when I came to Canada. The talent of those performers is incredible.”
What are your favorite memories in New York?
“I loved playing on the grass at Forest Hills and hitting with kids at Cary Leeds. Those experiences were so much fun. I remember the heat and the hustle of New York, spending hours on the bus just to see Times Square. It’s such a vibrant place with the buzzing taxis and sirens. Staying in hotels like the Intercontinental made me feel like I was in the sky. I’ve enjoyed climbing the Empire State Building and taking in the view, especially seeing the Statue of Liberty from afar—it looks tiny until you’re up close.”
If you could visit any place, where would it be?
“I’d love to go to Thailand. My girlfriend has shared wonderful stories about it, and since she encourages me to explore, it must be special.”
What was your ‘pinch-me’ moment on tour?
“Beating Grigor Dimitrov in Australia and facing Nadal in Bastad were both surreal moments. Just warming up with Nadal was incredible—I used to watch him on TV, and now he was right across from me.”
What was it like shaking hands with Nadal?
“He was very welcoming and classy, which made it easy to embrace the moment, especially after winning. It allowed me to enjoy the experience fully.”
As a tennis fan, if you could have been part of any match in history, which would it be?
“I’d choose the epic final in Australia between Nadal and Djokovic. That match lasted over six hours, and I can only imagine the emotions and physical toll it took on them.”
If you could achieve one thing on or off the court, what would it be?
“I’ve surpassed many of my expectations already, and I’m happy with where I am. Winning an ATP title has been beyond what I imagined. While winning a Grand Slam would be amazing, I feel it’s a long way off. For now, I’m focused on taking it step by step, maybe aiming for an ATP 500 title next.”