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Renato Paiva leads Access Youth Academy in San Diego, as well as the San Diego Squash Club. Originally from Brazil, he has served on the coaching staff of Harvard University and was named the 2010 U.S. Olympic Committee's Developmental Coach of the Year. Renato was a 5-time Brazilian Junior National Champion and has represented his country in international competition.

Q & A with Renato:

Where were you born?

I was born in a small place in Brazil called Campinas, about 1 hour from Sao Paulo.

When did you start playing squash?

Started playing squash at the age of 9 years old. 

Did you ever play other sports at a high level?

As all brazilians, I played competitive soccer. I also swam at a high level, I had state records time for a while.

Why did you choose to play squash professionally?

I played some professional squash at a very early age (about 15 years old). When I turned 17 I started college in Brazil and did not play more serious squash at that point. I started my coaching career then, coaching adults and kids at that point. When I moved to the US, I coached a few clubs in Southern California, then coached the California Junior Team. After that I moved to Boston where I coached Harvard University for a couple of years. Then finally moved to sunny San Diego, where I am currently the Executive Director of Access Youth Academy (a non profit programs that serves under privileged kids), as well as the head pro of San Diego Squash.

Why did you choose PST?

We chose to work with PST because we believe in their approach to squash. PST promotes squash in several levels and San Diego Squash and our community are embracing this approach. Squash as a whole needs active promotion in order to grow, and PST does exactly that.

Age? Single/married? Where do you live now?

I am 32 years old, married to Kim Paiva, and I have 2 gorgeous daughters: Marina (2 years old) and Alana (3 weeks old!). I currently live in San Diego, CA.

What part of your game do you take the most pride in?

My front court game, for sure. As all Brazilians, we are proud of our flair in all sports, so I am very proud of what I can do in the front of the court.

What part of your game are working to improve?

My fitness (FOR SURE)! I do not play much high level games here anymore, so I do not last much when I need to.

Please tell me one or two of your favorite squash stories (on court or off).

On court I think it was when I was playing the Junior British Open in the early 1990s. It was my first time playing that event and I lost my first round 3x2, when I had the game 2x1 up. I ended up winning the plate by beating Ben Garner in the final 3x0. The funny part is that when I when to the organization desk to collect my trophy, the tournament organizer (Andrew Shelley that year I believe), told me that one gentlemen wanted to hand it to me. So comes this older British guy, kind of limping a bit and he tells me how impressed he was with my squash. I was so upset with my first round loss still that I barely listened to what he said. I thanked him and walked away. Andrew came back and told me that the person that handed me that trophy was a squash legend, Mr. Jonah Barrington. My approach to the history of the game changed after that day!

Off court, I must say it was during my coaching career. I took 7 girls to play the High School National Tournament at Yale this year and it was one of the most rewarding experiences. To understand the magnitude of this trip, we were compared to a beach volleyball team from Alaska! Seven underserved girls from San Diego, playing division 1 at the National's, was pretty special itself. We played 4 matches total, winning 2 and losing 2 (finishing at 11th in the country), but the amazing part was the last game against a school called Noble. This match was for the 11th/12th spot and both team wanted to win this very even matchup. All matches went to the 4th or 5th games, including Marrisa's match. Marissa Reid was playing #4 for us and she was 2x0 down against a very good player. She comes off the court after losing the second game and I asked her just to enjoy the game (I wanted to make her as happy as possible, after a very draining weekend of squash). She looks me in the eyes and said: "I am not done yet...". She wins game 3, 4 and 5. Between every game I saw this young girl's courage and determination. Similar to Marissa were all the other girls at that team. Noble and Access received a loud and long ovation after the game. Probably the best afternoon of squash I have ever seen.

Who is your favorite opponent?

I always liked playing Adrian Grant, from England, when we were juniors. We played 5 times, and I recall only amazing matches. The funny part is that all 5 matches I won the first game 9 x 0 and lost the match 3 x 2!

Who is your least favorite opponent?

I had a rival back in Brazil that was very hard to battle with. Him and I used to fight for the #1 spot in the country.

What do you think of Point Every Rally (no-let squash)?

Very interesting concept. This will for sure make the sport of squash simpler and more dynamic. 

Do you smoke? Drink? Do you avoid certain foods?

I do not smoke or drink any alcoholic beverages. My diet is the not the best, as I do not avoid any food! I do have bad spot on my diet: I drink too much Coke!

What do you eat for breakfast?

Toast and water.

Greatest accomplishment on the court?

As a player I think it was probably representing Brazil. It is truly amazing when you play for your country. As I coach, it is for sure the success of my students at Access Youth Academy. They are the reason I continue to work in squash and they amaze me every day I work with them.

Thoughts on squash in America?

I believe the US is doing very well at this point. US Squash works very hard in leading and guiding our sport to a better future and I do all I can to support Kevin Klipstein and his staff. American juniors are among the best in the world (take Amanda, Olivia, and others as an example) and I can only see this getting better and better. I am very optimistic about squash here in the US, especially within the West Coast, where there is now a group effort to grow our game.

Goal for a post-squash career?

Continue to grow the sport of squash, specially among the less privileged. I would hope to do my part in the Olympic bid as well. Becoming an olympic sport would change the lives of many squash pro / coaches  so I truly hope we can achieve our goal this time.