Benoit Benaibbouche - A 5 Year Tennis-Miami Veteran

Benoit Benaibbouche, Tennis-Miami's very own French tennis phenom. Despite the French Open having wrapped up this month, Benoit has our full attention as he has been playing down in Miami for several years and has played over 200 matches! And he's loved each and every one of them.

Here's a bit more about Benoit:

Which league are you a member of? 

I participate with Tennis-Miami.

How long have you participated in your league? 

I started in late 2010.

How did you first learn about it? 

From a player I met at a tennis club.

How often do you play? 

Twice a week is usually my minimum.

What do you like most about the league? 

I like meeting new players and facing new challenges. The organization as a whole is great, and I like the idea of competing with people who have the same passion about tennis.

Tell us about your most memorable match(es) 

It was a tournament final back in late 2012. We played in Key Biscayne—great court, great temperature, and a great rival—Nelson Machado. He is a fantastic player and I had never beat him before. I played my best tennis and won in straight sets. I pushed myself so much as I knew a trophy would be the most exciting award as my son—also a tennis a player—asked me to bring him a trophy… now it’s sitting in his room!

Who are your favorite rivals in the league? Why? 

Honestly, all the players I meet are fantastic rivals. In general I love to play better players to step my game up.

Do you have any other interesting comments about your experiences with the league? 

Nothing except the fact that it really is the best. I wish I had more time to promote it more, but overall it’s a well rounded and great league.

How did you get started playing tennis? 

Against a wall in my hometown Paris, France, in the back of a large parking lot behind the house I grew up in. It sounds like the stories of many big champions, I wish I was one of them!

What level player are you? (NTRP rating)

4.0

What do you love about tennis? 

It’s a complete game: Physical, cardio, mental, legs, upper body, and the HEAD! And its never over until it’s over, unlike most other sports where they reach a time limit and the game is over.

Who are your favorite pro players? Why? 

Federer. He’s a legend: Class, style, fair play, calm, superb tennis… Just a huge fan.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I work in a high-end watch group, traveling in the Americas. French born, but I’ve been in the USA for over 17 years. I love traveling to tennis destinations with my wife and son who is a tennis lover too.