Ahead of the Millennium Estoril Open this week in Portugal, the country's own João Sousa and British No. 1 Kyle Edmund -- two of world's top tennis players -- traded rackets for surfboards at nearby Carcavelos beach for a little session before match time. But the pros didn't paddle out with just anyone. Instead, they got a lesson from Frederico "Kikas" Morais, the country's star representative on the WSL Championship Tour (CT).
Kikas and João Sousa. - WSL / ©Millennium Estoril Open
While both Sousa and Edmund are, of course, pro athletes, going from clay courts to the water was a dubious leap. "[Kikas] gave us some tips to make it a little bit easier," Sousa said. "But I'm not sure our physical condition is perfect for this kind of sport."
Edmund, meanwhile, had high hopes for his pro instructor, but had his own doubts, too. "I've never surfed before, I've only done stuff like jet skis in the water," he said. "I'm pretty good with adventure sports. I like motorbiking, and loved the jet skiing. It's a bit cold, that's my only excuse! But I'm excited to give it a go and to try something out of my comfort zone."
Kikas and the tennis players - WSL / ©Millennium Estoril Open
In the end, both Sousa and Edmund caught some ankle-biters -- not auspicious enough to quit their day jobs, but not a bad start.
Catch Sousa and Edmund competing in the Millennium Estoril Open this week in Portugal. Catch Kikas, meanwhile, live in the WSL Founders' Cup of Surfing May 5 - 6 in Lemoore, California.
Frederico Morais Takes Tennis Stars for a Surf Session
Anna Dimond
Ahead of the Millennium Estoril Open this week in Portugal, the country's own João Sousa and British No. 1 Kyle Edmund -- two of world's top tennis players -- traded rackets for surfboards at nearby Carcavelos beach for a little session before match time. But the pros didn't paddle out with just anyone. Instead, they got a lesson from Frederico "Kikas" Morais, the country's star representative on the WSL Championship Tour (CT).
While both Sousa and Edmund are, of course, pro athletes, going from clay courts to the water was a dubious leap. "[Kikas] gave us some tips to make it a little bit easier," Sousa said. "But I'm not sure our physical condition is perfect for this kind of sport."
Edmund, meanwhile, had high hopes for his pro instructor, but had his own doubts, too. "I've never surfed before, I've only done stuff like jet skis in the water," he said. "I'm pretty good with adventure sports. I like motorbiking, and loved the jet skiing. It's a bit cold, that's my only excuse! But I'm excited to give it a go and to try something out of my comfort zone."
In the end, both Sousa and Edmund caught some ankle-biters -- not auspicious enough to quit their day jobs, but not a bad start.
Catch Sousa and Edmund competing in the Millennium Estoril Open this week in Portugal. Catch Kikas, meanwhile, live in the WSL Founders' Cup of Surfing May 5 - 6 in Lemoore, California.
Frederico Morais
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