Support from Bulldog family has propelled Nuno Borges to sensational start.
Know Your Bulldog: Nuno Borges
October 21, 2016 | Men's Tennis
In his first season with the Mississippi State men's tennis team, Nuno Borges turned in a remarkable freshman season for the Maroon and White as the Porto, Portugal native and the Bulldogs earned the program's 12th NCAA Round of 16 appearance. What made 2016's squad different from those in year's past? One word: family.
"Family is the reason we are good and why we push even harder," Borges said when describing what drives the Bulldogs. "We are not just playing by ourselves, we have every single player behind one another and supporting each other like a family."
Borges certainly used the confidence gained from his teammates' support in his first year as he garnered Second Team All-SEC, SEC All-Freshman Team and SEC All-Tournament Team honors after his 21-6 season in singles play and 9-3 mark in conference play, but for Borges he still wasn't satisfied; he wanted to push harder.
"I'm proud of what I did last year, but what I really wanted was the SEC Freshman of the Year award," Borges said. "I can't say I was disappointed with what I accomplished last season, because it was a great experience for me but as a player you always strive to be great."
Last season, Borges and the rest of his Bulldog family won 18 matches on its way to a second-round upset of host and 15th-ranked Illinois in Champaign. During that match the freshman was tasked with defeating the Illini's Aaron Hiltzik, who was the 60th best singles player in the nation. The Portugal didn't flinch as he downed his opponent in straight sets, 6-2, 6-4, earning his 21st singles win of the season.
"In that match all I could hear were my teammates' voices," Borges said when recalling the May 14th match. "Even though we were on the road and their crowd was loud, all I could hear were my teammates supporting me. With my family's support I can do anything."Â
The sophomore has picked up where he left off last season, after winning the singles title at the ITA Southern Regional on Oct. 17. Borges earned six consecutive wins at the tournament to capture the singles crown and punch his ticket to the USTA/ITA National Indoor Championships at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, N.Y., on Sunday, Nov. 3.Â
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"Family is the reason we are good and why we push even harder," Borges said when describing what drives the Bulldogs. "We are not just playing by ourselves, we have every single player behind one another and supporting each other like a family."
Borges certainly used the confidence gained from his teammates' support in his first year as he garnered Second Team All-SEC, SEC All-Freshman Team and SEC All-Tournament Team honors after his 21-6 season in singles play and 9-3 mark in conference play, but for Borges he still wasn't satisfied; he wanted to push harder.
"I'm proud of what I did last year, but what I really wanted was the SEC Freshman of the Year award," Borges said. "I can't say I was disappointed with what I accomplished last season, because it was a great experience for me but as a player you always strive to be great."
Last season, Borges and the rest of his Bulldog family won 18 matches on its way to a second-round upset of host and 15th-ranked Illinois in Champaign. During that match the freshman was tasked with defeating the Illini's Aaron Hiltzik, who was the 60th best singles player in the nation. The Portugal didn't flinch as he downed his opponent in straight sets, 6-2, 6-4, earning his 21st singles win of the season.
"In that match all I could hear were my teammates' voices," Borges said when recalling the May 14th match. "Even though we were on the road and their crowd was loud, all I could hear were my teammates supporting me. With my family's support I can do anything."Â
The sophomore has picked up where he left off last season, after winning the singles title at the ITA Southern Regional on Oct. 17. Borges earned six consecutive wins at the tournament to capture the singles crown and punch his ticket to the USTA/ITA National Indoor Championships at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, N.Y., on Sunday, Nov. 3.Â
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