Ferrer Guimaraes Finds An Immediate Fit
March 01, 2024 | Men's Tennis
STARKVILLE – Although Roberto Ferrer Guimaraes is nearing the end of his first season at Mississippi State, the freshman from Lakeland, Tennessee feels like he has been a Bulldog for much longer.
Ferrer Guimaraes has been closely following MSU men's tennis for the past few years while his high school teammate, Seth Richey, was on the team. So whenever Ferrer Guimaraes finally arrived on campus this past fall to begin his own collegiate career, he fit right in immediately.
"It was a huge advantage," Ferrer Guimaraes said of his familiarity with the team. "I knew I was the new guy when I came here, but I felt comfortable. I'd already established those relationships through Seth with the coaches. I came to a couple of matches last year and saw what it was like to compete. So, it was a really smooth transition for me."
The former Memphis University School standout was a top 35 recruit nationally and one of the best prospects in the Southeast. The five-star talent was tabbed the 2023 USTA Most Outstanding Boy Player of the Year in Tennessee and was recruited by programs from across the country.
"I was pretty good and during the recruiting process, I got some calls from colleges looking at me," Ferrer Guimaraes said. "Mississippi State was the highest level looking at me. I have to thank Seth Richey for that. He played at my high school and also here (at MSU), so he gave me the connection to Jake Jacoby and Matt Roberts. I have a lot of gratitude to Jake and Matt because Memphis is not really a tennis city, but they saw my potential and were willing to take me under their wing and help me be the player I am right now."
The 5-foot-11 Ferrer Guimaraes found success with the Bulldogs right from the jump by reeling off five consecutive singles wins and finished the fall with an impressive 5-2 singles record. His development carried into the spring and has since earned a starting role in State's singles and doubles lineups.
"He showed a ton of growth in the fall and started to embrace the system and what we're all about," Jacoby said. "That has a lot to do with his upbringing, his childhood and going to school at MUS. They develop great people that are hungry to improve in their lives and whatever sport they do.
"Rob hit the ground running in the fall with our culture and was super spongy. He was learning new things and applying those new things. He's been a huge addition and improved so much in the last few months in both singles and doubles to where he's contributing and competing against the best teams in the spring."
Transitioning from high school into major college tennis wasn't an easy task. Ferrer Guimaraes admitted he had to make some adjustments to his game that have served him well as he started to learn what competing at this level was all about. Â
"As a junior, I was a grinder and made a lot of balls and was able to get away with it because most juniors don't have the patience to be that consistent," Ferrer Guimaraes said. "Now in college, people are more aggressive and are willing to take chances. Making balls is not exactly the plan now. Now, I have to go out there and take the match for myself now and take it from my opponent."
Overall, Ferrer Guimaraes is 8-4 in singles and 6-3 in doubles during his freshman year, including a solid 4-1 showing as a doubles competitor during dual match play despite having four different partners.
"It's been a really good season for me," Ferrer Guimaraes said. "I've had some wins here and losses there, but I'm learning every day with the team. I've had a really strong bond with these guys and am excited to wake up every day and continue grinding with them."
Some of the closest friendships Ferrer Guimaraes has gained since he arrived in Starkville have come with his fellow freshmen, Marshall Landry and Radomir Tomic. Ferrer Guimaraes and Landry made an instant connection coming from similar backgrounds on the junior circuit in the United States and both welcomed Tomic into their circle straight away.
"It's super cool and super important," Ferrer Guimaraes said. "I see 'Memo' (Nemanja Malesevic) and Carles Hernandez who are in the same class and I kind of envision me, 'Rade' and 'Marsh' to be those same leaders our senior year and paving the way for Mississippi State tennis. It's super important because we're going to be with each other for three more years so it's better to have a good relationship than a bad one. I love those guys and it's been great to be with them."
And while he gets plenty of motivation from his coaches and teammates during the week, it's the match days with his family in the stands that he looks forward to the most. His parents, Roberto and Renata, along with siblings Vitor and Arianne try to make the three-hour trek to see him play as often as possible.
"It's unbelievable and they always inspire me while they're there," Ferrer Guimaraes said. "They've given so much to me and when I see them there, I want to show them that I'm giving it everything I've got. I think I play better when they're there. I have so much gratitude for my parents because they've been there for me since Day 1. I just want to show them that I'm griding, putting the work in and everything is paying off."
