Quarantine Q&A: Bruno Soares relishing being around family 24/7

In this new Q&A series, TENNIS.com will check in with players stationed all around the world while hanging tight during the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, Bruno Soares provides perspective from his sister's house just outside Belo Horizonte.

Describe a day in the quarantine life where you are currently based.**

I’m here in Brazil at my sister’s house. Everyone is on lockdown. I’m fortunate to be in a nice place with my family. We have some outdoor space, so we can do some activities and be mentally healthier than most people who have to stay inside an apartment. My day is spent with the kids, helping my wife with home-schooling for our five-year-old. I go for a run, do some exercises, I have a mini gym here. Watching a lot of Netflix and reading.

Do you have access to a tennis court? If not, what are you doing to stay sharp?**

I have access to a tennis court. I’m not really inviting anyone to come here and practice. Some people in the house play. I’ve hit some balls here and there, but also trying to use this time to rest the body a little bit more.

How often do you stay connected with your team, and who oversees your at-home workout program?**

I’ve been connected to my team quite often. My coach is also my business partner, so we do talk a lot. It’s not always about tennis. I’ve talked two times a week with my fitness coach, working on our routines and our exercise, and once a week with my physio to talk about body, pain, whatever I have.

Bruno Soares

When it comes to rest, are you treating each week like you're at a tournament, or do you allow yourself to sleep in and stay up late when desired?**

I’m kind of treating myself like it’s a weekend when I’m on vacation. I’m fully resting and relaxing, and have a wine or beer or gin and tonic if I like. I sleep in: not that I can much as almost every day, as my kids wake up early. I’m taking it easy, trying to stay fit and healthy, but also not working as hard as when the tour is going on as normal.

If the entire season is cancelled, will you pursue other avenues to earn a living while competition is on a hiatus?**

I’m a little bit of a veteran. I do have a few businesses of my own that I’m working on. Like most businesses, they are suffering with the crisis, so trying to manage that. I’ve always enjoyed having this. It’s not an easy time, but it’s been keeping me busy and keeping my mind working. If the tour is back, or cancelled for the rest of the year, I have work outside of tennis.

Nutrition plays an important role in athlete’s daily life. How much are you cooking versus relying on others, like family, or utilizing delivery services?**

Nutrition is a big part of my life. I’m not a very good cook, but luckily U have very good habits. We do eat healthy. I’ve been in touch with my nutritionist to try and control that. I think it’s important to not have a mental breakdown related to food, and start eating bad and all the sweets. On the weekends, I’ve been taking it easy, so I’ve tried to compensate being on a good, healthy diet during the week.

What are some unexpected activities that have managed to keep you occupied?**

I’ve never had this much time to spend with my kids since they were born. I’ve been able to spend 24 hours with them, so this is pretty cool. As a parent, it’s extremely special, and as a tennis player, even more so. I’m doing a bunch of stuff with them: tennis, swimming, biking, going for walks. We all want to go back to work but I’m enjoying my time. By the end of the day, I’m quite exhausted and looking forward to a good sleep.