Oct. 31, 2005

Growing up in Portugal with a tennis pro mother and tennis coach father, junior Joana Macedo was destined to be an international athlete. Her father coached her Portuguese National Champion mother through numerous international competitions, including Wimbledon. Macedo felt she was born like a fish in the water in regards to the tennis world and picked up a racket at a young age, but even when her parents stepped off the court, she continued to play.

"I began playing tennis when I was really little because my parents were involved in the world of tennis. But I began to practice more constantly when I was nine and my parents were already out of the tennis world, so it was my decision," Macedo said.

For five years, Macedo was the No. 1 ranked tennis player in Portugal and traveled throughout Europe and the Caribbean for international competitions. At one point she spent an entire month and a half touring the Caribbean Islands playing in tournaments.

When it came time for college, Macedo chose USF after visits to Florida, Virginia and the Carolinas.

"I chose USF because I just loved it. I loved California, San Francisco, the beach setting, the nature, the involvement of the city and the cultural diversity that we find here. USF was just a great school and I was pleased with all the people I met on my visit and I appreciate the Jesuit nature of the school," Macedo added.

As successful as she has been as a member of the Women's tennis team, the Philosophy major and Communications minor, seems to be more interested in pursuing a career off the court when she graduates.

"At this moment I am feeling more likely to pursue my intellectual capabilities as I have been dedicating my whole like to tennis and not as much to my intellectual potential. I hope to someday be involved with a surfing company because I really like the ocean and surfing," Macedo said.

USFdons.com had a chat with the tennis star and here is some interesting facts we found out.

What do you miss the most about your hometown? "Where I live in Portugal is a very magical place. I live in this forest called the Moon Forest and it has tons of palaces. My coach, when she went to Portugal said it looked like Disney World, but it was for real. As you can see it's very magical. When I'm asleep I can hear the ocean. I miss the people of Portugal, the food, the smells, the music, the personality and identity of my country."

What is the one place you would like to visit and why? "At this moment I want to visit India. It is a very historical place. Portugal went on navy discoveries to explore India for its culture and its spices so I'd like to go there. also because my grandparents live there in Goa, which is a Portuguese city and I'd like to go back there and visit."

What was the first thing you wanted to be when you were a kid? "I wanted to be a dolphin trainer. I had this fixation for the ocean and it's animals and I really enjoyed seeing how intelligent they are."

What is your favorite holiday and why? "The 25th of April in Portugal. It's the celebration of the end of a dictatorship that lasted 40 or 50 years. People were really oppressed, there was no self-expression, and there was a lot of political persecution. The end was in 1975 so my parents and grandparents lived through it. I am the first generation to never have lived in that time of dictatorship. It was nice because it was a peaceful military revolution. When the military came out at dawn, they had roses in their guns, so now every year people go out with red roses and it is a very nice holiday."

What is your favorite animal and why? "My favorite animal is from the ocean and it is an Orca, the killer whale."

What is the best event you have ever attended? "It was a concert in the mountains in Portugal and it was Ben Harper playing and it was just fantastic."

If you could have dinner with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be and why? "I would have dinner with grandfather, father of my dad who I never met, but I always hear from everybody how he was this funny person and always in a good disposition and always available to laugh and to be enjoying people and moments and places so I would very much like to have dinner with him."

What scared you the most as a child? "Earthquakes. When I learned about them at school, I remember being scared every night before I went to sleep that a big earthquake would hit my house and everything would fall and people would die."

What is your favorite comfort food or drink? "I always like some nice freshly made orange juice."

What is your favorite day of the week? "Friday because I don't have school, I just have practice. It is very pleasing to know you have the weekend ahead and it seems like the smoothest day of the week."