Tennis school right match for student from Brazil

By TERRY JONES

© St. Petersburg Times, published June 9, 2000

UNIVERSITY NORTH -- Living and studying at the Palmer Tennis Academy wasn't the easiest way for Eduardo Cardoso Jr. to complete high school. The grueling schedule, the steep tuition and the distance from his family back in Brazil were a calculated investment in his future.

It paid off.

Cardoso, one of 14 students from three continents to graduate from the academy last week, is headed to Stanford University on a tennis scholarship. Most of his classmates are also going to college on tennis scholarships.

Cardoso's parents flew 10 hours to attend last week's commencement ceremony at the Embassy Suites Hotel near the University of South Florida. Palmer Tennis Academy is at 14500 46th St. N, across from the USF golf course.

"It is a long flight, but it is worth it for my wife and I to spend time with our son," said Eduardo Cardoso Sr. "We are proud of him and pleased with the work coach (Richard) Matuszewski and the faculty at Palmer Academy have done for Eduardo. It is an honor to see him graduate and be given a full scholarship to play and learn at Stanford."

The Cardoso family flew back to Brazil Sunday. Eduardo plans to stay with his family until reporting to Palo Alto, Calif., in late July or early August.

Cardoso enrolled at Palmer as a resident student four years ago.

"From as far back as I can remember, I have wanted to play tennis at Stanford," Cardoso said. "I am looking forward to four years there. I plan to study management marketing, and if I do well enough in tennis, I may turn pro." He said his four years in Tampa were good preparation.

The Palmer Academy's 48 students in grades nine through 12 start their days around 6 a.m. Classes run from 7:30 to 9:15 a.m. and from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Except for an hour lunch, the balance of the day is on the tennis courts. From 7 until the 10 p.m. curfew, they shower, eat and do homework.

"The daily schedule for resident students is rigid and includes a minimum of 20 hours of quality tennis weekly, so it takes a special kind of student-athlete to be a part of the program," Palmer owner and pro Richard Matuszewski said. "When we are going through the selection process we look for self starters with self discipline."

Jim Courier, the Dade City native and professional tennis player who retired last month after winning four Grand Slam titles in the 1990s, was a Palmer student, as was Matuszewski and other players now on the pro circuit.

Other Class of 2000 graduates have signed to play for Stanford, Georgia Tech, University of California, University of Florida, USF, Alabama, Jacksonville University and George Washington University. Three graduates are still deciding among colleges, and one is returning to South America to study.

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