Ataíde Sucá speaks with the serenity of someone who has traveled a long road, filled with obstacles but also achievements. Born and raised in the Minkadjuine neighborhood in Maputo, he is a tennis coach in the United States, but the story that led him there began long before, among soccer balls, borrowed rackets, and a dream that stubbornly refused to fit within the neighborhood where he grew up.
His first serious contact with sports was not tennis, but soccer. “I played a lot of soccer; it was my dream,” he told E&M. It was in this circle of friends that a racket appeared: his mother bought it, and “from then on, it was history.” Tennis entered his life as a possibility and quickly became a passion.
He began competing locally at a very young age, becoming one of the country’s top juniors. His talent stood out, and his career was built through exhaustive hard work, he explains. In a family where his parents worked tirelessly and had no sporting tradition, resources were limited. Even so, Ataíde consolidated his youth career with some support from local coaches, particularly Emílio Maché, who welcomed him and traveled with him.
He competed in tournaments and was part of an African team in 2002 within the ITF Touring Team, a program created by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) to support talented young players (especially from developing countries) in competing in high-level international tournaments.
During his teenage years, his career took an important leap when he became national champion for two consecutive years (2006 and 2007). At 16, he began to realize he could broaden his horizons. This phase culminated in a radical decision: accepting the opportunity to study and play tennis in the United States.
Departing for the Match of a Lifetime
In 2008, at the age of 20, the now-coach left for the U.S. with many dreams and ambitions in his luggage. The initial shock was enormous: extreme cold, different food, distance from family, and difficult routines. “I woke up at five in the morning when it was ten degrees below zero. Train, shower, and go to class,” he recalls. To support himself, he held three jobs while balancing training and studies: washing cars, working at the campus restaurant, and in the library. This pace was a lesson: “Tennis taught me discipline.”
Ataíde was national champion in Mozambique for two consecutive years (2006 and 2007). He traveled the world in tournaments and was selected to play for the ITF Africa team in 2002.
In the U.S., he studied at institutions that opened doors for him. He began at Barton County Community College and graduated from Shaw University, where he earned a degree in Sports Management. He played for both universities for four years. The college experience transformed him into an athlete, but also into a young man who discovered how to convert athletic performance into educational and professional opportunities.
From Player to Mentor
Ataíde was part of Mozambique’s first Davis Cup team in 2014, the largest international team competition in men’s tennis, organized by the International Tennis Federation. Years later, he was appointed captain of the 2019 Davis Cup team, which reached the final stage in pursuit of qualification for Group II—an experience that marked him, despite the team not winning the competition. “Just participating was already a victory,” he says.
Over the years, he established himself as a coach in the United States. He currently lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, and works at the Old Providence Tennis Academy, where he trains a wide range of athletes, from children to adults, and prepares players seeking scholarships and college championships. “We have more than 100 students… many end up going to Division I, II, and III colleges,” he explains.
Alongside his technical work, he developed a role as a mentor and facilitator: he has helped thousands of young people obtain scholarships and study and play in the U.S., a mission that reflects the transition from individual achievement to collective action. “I’ve helped more than three thousand athletes study and play tennis here,” he states.
The Value of Relationships Around Tennis
Beyond the nets, the athlete speaks of “networking.” Tennis, as a niche sport, builds bridges among peers, in a context similar to what happens in golf: encounters with entrepreneurs, directors, and social leaders who participate in the circuit and potentially support projects. “My network, thank God, is vast. I know many people—directors, presidents—who consider me a friend,” says Ataíde, emphasizing the social and economic value of these relationships.
The journey has not been entirely smooth. Ataíde points to structural gaps in Mozambique: lack of family and institutional support, scarcity of training, regular circuits, and limited information about opportunities abroad. “We have talent, but we lack support,” he says. For him, beyond money, what children and young people need is guidance, structured routines, and education about financial and academic opportunities. This awareness has led him to return periodically to Maputo to conduct workshops, donate equipment, and stay connected with clubs and coaches. Whenever possible, he travels: “My vacations are in Mozambique,” and he tries to build relationships, whether by distributing racket cases or helping with travel visas and providing guidance on international applications.
A Legacy in the Making
Now 38 years old with a 14-year career, Sucá is thinking about his legacy. He intends to create a club or project that offers technical and academic support from an early age. He also wants to dedicate more time to his family and, if possible, coach his own children. “I would like to create a space where I could train young Mozambicans,” he said.
Beyond dreaming of a club, he highlights discipline and the monitoring of fundamental aspects. “Many athletes fail due to a lack of discipline, not a lack of talent,” he says. And he reminds us that starting early, with the right guidance—from ages 8 or 12—turns possibilities into real results.
Finally, Ataíde speaks openly about his relationship with Mozambican institutions: he feels frustrated by the lack of institutional response when former players propose partnerships or offer voluntary help. Even so, he remains available. “I’m open to anything, as long as the project makes sense,” he declares.
Text by Germano Ndlovo
Photography D.R.
