In honor of Father's Day, UC Irvine Athletics sat down with Bruce Man-Son-Hing, Jr. and Bruce Man-Son-Hing, Sr. of the UCI Men's Tennis team.


 
Bruce Sr. played for the Anteaters from 1983-86, and has now returned to his alma mater as a volunteer assistant where he coaches his son, Bruce Jr., who recently concluded his junior year with the 'Eaters.

Bruce Sr. was destined to play tennis from the beginning. His father played professionally in the West Indies and raised his son to do the exact same. When Bruce Sr. moved to the United States in 1972, his life revolved around bonding with his father through the sport, playing in national tournaments together and winning the Gold Ball on Father's Day multiple times. Bruce Sr. went on to have a stellar career at UCI, where he was the No. 1 player all four years and led the program to a top-10 finish after his freshman campaign. He then went on to play on the ATP Tour from 1986-90, competing in four grand slam tournaments with his partner, John Letts. Bruce Sr. saw a tremendous amount of success and continues to pass along his knowledge and experiences to his children.

Bruce Jr. grew up watching his older sister, Sabrina Man-Son-Hing, who played tennis at CSUN (2011-13) before making her way onto the WTA Tennis tour. Despite his early introduction to tennis, Bruce Jr. did not want to play the sport initially, but with a lineage including a grandfather, father and sister who all played professionally, he knew he was also destined to play.
 
Bruce Jr. was coached by his father throughout high school and the two have become even closer since Bruce Sr. joined the Anteater program as a volunteer assistant in 2017-18. Now, with Bruce Jr. gearing up for his senior season, the father-son duo has high hopes of bringing the tennis program back to national prominence. 

In an exclusive interview with the Man-Son-Hings, Bruce Jr. and Bruce Sr. open up about sportsmanship, competition and their relationship on and off the tennis court. 

       


Q: Tell us about your playing career at UC Irvine.
Bruce Sr.: I played from 1983-86 for a famous coach here named Greg Patton, who recruited me. My first year here, we were ranked No. 9 in the country. I think that is when Greg Patton really started the legacy of UCI becoming a contender in Division I. They were Division II a little bit before that. The current coach, Mike Saunders, was a freshman here when I was a senior, and that is what we're trying to do now, build the program back up to what it used to be when I played here. 

Q: Where did the passion for tennis start? What is the story behind this sport for you?
Bruce Sr.: I was born in Grenada, West Indies, and my dad was the Island runner-up. I started playing tennis when I was eight and then we moved to the United States in 1972. I played on the junior level for the next 10 years. I was recruited by a few different schools and ended up here at Irvine. Tennis has always been a big part of our lives and continues to be. I also have a tennis shop up in the valley and my daughter played at Cal State Northridge. I am happy to have Bruce Jr. here, and to help coach as he finishes up one more year.

Q: What was it like growing up in a household where you were surrounded by tennis all the time?
Bruce Jr.: I would say I didn't really like it when I was younger. Tennis was a big part our family, but I didn't really want anything to do with it. I didn't start liking it until high school when I started getting more serious about playing. When I was young, my sister was the main attention because she was older. I remember I would always travel with the family to go watch her tennis tournaments and I was just like, oh I don't really want to be a part of this. I liked basketball more at the time. But, now I love it and I am happy where I am.
 
Q: How much of an impact did your father's career have on your decision to play the sport?
Bruce Jr.: It had some impact, but he didn't really push me too hard to play. He just wanted me to choose a sport to play and he was going to support me no matter what. 
 
Q: How has it been having your father as your coach?
Bruce Jr.: He's just been a great dad and a great coach. I would say he is almost like a best friend to me more than a dad. I see him more as my friend first, my dad second, and my coach third. Coach comes last with tennis and everything, that is more like a bonus.
 
Q: What do you think about that? How do you see your time in tennis is reflected in your son?
Bruce Sr.: I try to be a father and friend first and then tennis and college coaching is just a bonus. It is very difficult being a parent and a coach. I know this from coaching my daughter and coming up through the junior ranks with her. Coaching can get very intense, so I try to leave that stuff away from home. You don't want it to carry over into your personal life. Bruce and I do a lot of things together outside of tennis. We have a really good relationship where I feel like I can talk to him about things going on in his personal life. 

Q: What was your reaction when your son committed to UCI?
Bruce Sr: I was happy and I knew he was in the right position. I was ecstatic and it was even better when I became a coach. They have had so much success academically and athletically and the guys here are fun people. I am happy to support and be out there because the team chemistry and atmosphere here is the absolute best.
 
Q: Your son has been selected to the All-Big West Team twice and has won almost 50 doubles matches over the last three years. What is it like looking out and seeing Bruce Jr. have so much success in a UCI uniform?
Bruce Sr.: It's amazing, it does not feel like it has already been 35 years since I played on the same courts as him. I am just happy for him to have a good education and I want him to go as far as he can in the sport.
 
Q: What is it like for you looking over on the sidelines seeing your father and coach sitting there?
Bruce Jr.: I think about it and it is such an amazing experience to have my dad there on the bench. I grew up with him coaching me. My freshman year at UCI, he just came to watch but now having him on the court here is surreal and it adds to the chemistry of the team overall.
 
Q: What has changed in the last 35 years since you were a player and now since your son is a player?
Bruce Sr: In 2019, we aren't quite where we used to be, but I really feel that we will be a contender soon. We still want to keep the same chemistry from 35 years ago based on passion, comradery and sportsmanship. We still make it a priority for guys on the team today to build that chemistry.   

Q: How has your relationship as father and son changed now that you guys are player and coach?
Bruce Jr.: I don't think it has changed at all because he has been my coach since I started playing. When I am done with college, I know I will be forever grateful he was on the sidelines throughout my time as an Anteater.
Bruce Sr.: I don't think it has changed that much, I think it has just added on to my experience with it all. I get to know all of his teammates and it just allows me to be more a part of his life. It has just made us even closer as father and son.
 
Q: In honor of Father's Day, what's your favorite memory with your father on the tennis court?
Bruce Jr.: For sure playing with my dad in father-son tournaments in San Diego. We used to play every year and it is definitely the most fun tennis memory with him.
Bruce Sr.: My father and I played in many national tournaments, and we played in one on Father's Day a few times and won the Gold Ball trophy. It is a super fun experience to play with your father on Father's Day. Bruce Jr. has also played in some national tournaments with his grandfather. It is truly a family lineage.