Player Profiles: Wendy Shpiz and Marco Grangeiro

December 14, 2018

Player Profile - Wendy Shpiz

Shpiz is currently the 31st ranked player in the country. She and Jane McNitt won Chicago Charities in 2012 and reached the finals in 2015.

Q: Hometown:
A: Winnetka, IL

Q: Occupation:
A: VP, Marketing Director for Nike Tennis Camps

Q: Spouse/Children:
A: Dave (husband), Jack (10), Charlie (8), Mollie (6)

Q: Did you play college tennis/other sports?
A: I played tennis at Duke University from 1993-1997.

Q: Describe any international tennis you participated in:
A: I played on the WTA Tour from 1997-2000.

Q: How long have you played platform tennis/how were you introduced to the game?
A: I played with my family growing up, and have lots of memories playing next to the McNitts on Christmas each year, but truly, Christi Hayes and the amazing Lagunitas Club community got me hooked 10 years ago in California.

Q: When you started, what were the biggest adjustments you had to make as a tennis player?
A: It took some time to adjust to the pace of the ball, to learn to not overhit, and to get the correct volley positioning.

Q: How do you make practicing fun?
A: I love drilling - any one-up, one-back, cross-court, or down-the-line games.

Q: Where is your favorite place to play?
A: Lagunitas Club in Ross, CA.

Q: List one or more highlights of your platform tennis career OR the funniest or best thing that happened to you on a platform tennis court?
A: The funniest was getting hit in the neck and knocked over by one of Hallie Bodman's huge drives :)

Q: What is your trick/mental fix to use when you feel pressure in a match?
A: I take long, slow breaths, and I try to always go one point at a time. Every point is a new point. 

Q: List any other favorite hobbies you have:
A: Skiing, trail running, SoulCycle.

Q: What is your favorite vacation spot?
A: Maui

Q: What is your pre-match warm up/routine?
A: I put a fresh grip on my paddle and get a good warm up on the court.

Q; What is your favorite shot?
A: Forehand drive

Q: What is your favorite part of playing doubles and the best part of competing?
A: Everything. I love to compete, anything to get the competitive juices going.

Player Profile - Marco Grangeiro

Grangeiro and George Wilkinson are ranked 23 in the country. He is a two-time Chicago Charities finalist; in 2015 with Wilkinson and in 2017 with Mark Innes.

Q: Hometown:
A: Brasília, Brazil

Q: Occupation:
A: Director of Racquets at the Knickerbocker Country Club in Tenafly, NJ.

Q: Spouse:
A: Angelica Poniros

Q: Did you play college tennis/other sports?
A: I played tennis at Florida Southern College.

Q: How long have you played platform tennis/how were you introduced to the game?
A: I started played eight years ago when a friend taught me.

Q: When you started, what were the biggest adjustments you had to make as a tennis player?
A: I had to learn how to slow down.

Q: How do you make practicing fun?
A: I arrange games with friends.

Q: Where is your favorite place to play?
A: Anywhere with good people.

Q: List one or more highlights of your platform tennis career OR the funniest or best thing that happened to you on a platform tennis court?
A: Defeating Johan du Randt and Mark Parsons in the quarterfinals of Chicago Charities in 2015. My partner at the time (George Wilkinson) served a ball to the back of my head when I was in I-formation. I clearly didn't squat low enough.

Q: What is your trick/mental fix to use when you feel pressure in a match?
A: I try to maintain a steady pace.

Q: Who do you wish was watching you at your best match?
A: Anyone who enjoys watching the game.

Q: List any other favorite hobbies you have:
A: Traveling, golf, eating healthy.

Q: What is your favorite vacation spot?
A: Brazil

Q: Do you have a favorite sports movie?
A: “We Are Marshall”

Q: What is your pre-match warm up/routine?
A: I plan out strategy planning for the match ahead.

Q: What is your favorite shot?
A: Slash overhead winner

Q: What is your favorite part of playing doubles and the best part of competing?
A: The camaraderie is my favorite part and the challenge of the competition drives me.