All-American Monday - Joaquim Rasgado

Joaquim Rasgado(1974-75)

Coral Gables, Fla. – Asone of his former teammates described him, Joaquim Rasgado was good enough thathe could almost “play” with most of his opponents.  At age 18, Rasgado was the Brazilian JuniorChampion, the South American Junior Champion and a semi-finalist in the OrangeBowl International Tournament, the U.S. Open Junior Championship and WimbledonJuniors. His outstanding performances solidified his ranking as the No. 3junior in the world.

In 1971-72, playing primarily out of the No. 2 and No. 3positions, Rasgado went 14-5 in singles play during which he put together a 12match win streak. In doubles play, he went 10-5.   

Following his impressive freshman season, Rasgado would benamed the team captain in 1973. Rasgado, playing the entire 1972-73 season outof the No. 1 position, went 15-3 in singles and 10-2 in doubles play. To openthe season, Rasgado won his first nine matches. In the 1973 NCAA TennisChampionships, Rasgado won his third round singles match-up and his secondround doubles match-up.

Building on the previous years’ success, Rasgado opened hisjunior season the same way he opened his sophomore season – with a nine-matchwin streak. Playing almost entirely out of the No. 1 position, Rasgado went15-5 in singles and 16-3 in doubles. His regular season performance earned hima first round bye in the 1974 NCAA tournament. Rasgado won his second and thirdround match-ups. In doubles play, Rasgado advanced to the quarters of the 1974tournament. His success earned him All-American status.

Click here to read Rasgado’s bio

Despite the impressive start to his Hurricane career,Rasgado stood out during his senior year. While he started his sophomore andjunior seasons with a nine-match win streak, Rasgado opened his senior seasonwith an 11-match win streak. Rasgado would finish the season 24-6 in singlesand 17-6-1 in doubles play. As he had advanced to the fourth round of the NCAAtournament the two previous seasons, Rasgado advanced to the fifth round of the1975 tournament. Rasgado also advanced to the third round of the doublestournament. For the second consecutive season, Rasgado earned All-Americanhonors.       

After his Hurricane career had ended, Rasgado played withthe Brazilian Davis Cup team. As he got older it seemed he only got better. Forseveral years, Rasgado would hold the USTA’s No. 1 ranking in the 35 and olderclass. In 1991, for his outstanding performance as a Miami Hurricane, Rasgadowas inducted in the University’s Hall of Fame.