The path Rogerio Dutra da Silva (or it's spelled in a simplified way Dutra Silva) crossed is typical for more Brazilian tennis players. Some talent, no money, endless home futures and challengers, finally a bit of bless at mature days that comes with experience and finding peace of training.

Rogerio was born on 3rd February 1984 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. He is 178 cm tall and he weighs 73 kg. He plays with the right hand. Dutra Silva's current residence is Balneario Camboriu, SC, Brazil, at Larri Passos' academy, where he works with Passos, Marcos Barbosa and Marcos Daniel, who retired in 2011. This way in August of current season he climbed at his career high, 111 ATP.

"Peace and the proper team structure is what I lacked for all these years," recalls Dutra Silva when he mentions his top 200 breakthrough in 2006 and the collapse afterwards. Brazilians who like giving nicknames to their players baptized him as "Mendigo" - peasant. It was mainly taken from his constant struggle with no sponsor or money for travel.

Tennis has always been present in his life, because his father, Eulicio, is a former pro. Rogerio learnt to play at the ago of 7 and nine years later decided this would be his job. Just as his 1988 born brother, Daniel. They also have three sisters.

His game style is natural for him. He is slim but sly. He's athletic, but not in the way that can generate power. He reaches a lot of balls and passes to the other side always with consistency.

Potential for entering top 150 and love for the hard work used to be distracted by anxiety problems and easy melancholy when results were different from expected. "After moving to Balneario Camboriu I became a better person in general. I'm a different Rogerio now," he claims. In several interviews the player underlines necessity of having a guide with authority who thinks and plans for him, and is able to calm him down. "When I played challengers in Europe I was good on court, but I didn't achieve what I expected. I got frustrated. Then Larri came to me and told me to calm down because my time was about to arrive," he explained to Globo Esporte reporter. In the academy he can work now with a psychologist and nutritionist. He is also glad anytime he goes out someone cleans his house and washes the dishes!

Things are great, but they cost. He doesn't have a clothing sponsor. He plays with Babolat racquet and national Post Office helps with money for travels. After paying the team Dutra Silva has nearly nothing for himself. He says it would improve when he started playing the main ATP circuit, but... But. So far he finds sense in investing more into his shape and travelling with physical preparation coach. And then he hopes his time on the main tour will really happen.

There were rumours Dutra Silva liked the ladies and the feeling was mutual. "I am not this type, really, but when you live in Sao Paulo like I did, it's natural you will be doing things you normally wouldn't do. Now I am focused on tennis," he summed up.

Nathii & Saulo

READ MORE ON TENNIS ALTERNATIVE

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Recife Challenger 2011 Second Round

Aguascalientes Challenger 2011 Second Round

Rogerio Dutra Silva - player profile

Napoli Challenger 2011 Friday report

Madrid Challenger 2011 Final: Daniel Gimeno Traver vs. Jeremy Chardy

Napoli Challenger 2011 Final: Leonardo Mayer vs. Alessandro Giannessi + photos

Recife Challenger 2011 Final: Ricardo Mello vs. Rogerio Dutra Silva

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