This is a very special pro tennis player who's one of a kind signature moves, added a necessary flavor, which undoubtedly made the sport better.

Mansour Bahrami, seen in the videos here, performing his hilarious tennis tricks/act, has an amazing story of perseverance, which is one of my favorite stories in any sport.   You'll love how much fun he is seen having, in the both videos below.  What he has added to the play of any professional tennis match had never been done before, and really hard to fathom considering the nature of tennis as a very structured, some may say stiff, sport.  

 You'll see the videos and understand why I like him.  I also feel he should be honored by the International Tennis Hall of Fame, for his overall contribution to the sport, and how he persevered even when his country's government said tennis was outlawed.  Tennis needed someone like him, but imagining how it could work was a whole different story, which only he had the answer too, wherein he had to live his life first.  

The first time I saw his act it enthralled me, but really had me laughing hysterically.   
This one of a kind showmanship, which he currently brings to the Champions/Senior Tennis Tour, is much like what the Harlem Globetrotters bring to the basketball court. They both constantly travel around the world to promote their sport, and use tricks and humor to entertain. Mansour, a native of Iran, is one of the most unique professional tennis players of all time. He has carved out a much needed niche in tennis that is invaluable to promoting the sport and the Champions/Senior Tour.

The story of his journey to professional tennis is even more amazing. Mansour grew up very poor and was unable to afford a racket of his own. He had to fabricate tennis racquets with frying pans, dust pans and broom handles, while playing on make shift courts in the streets.  With these crazy racquets he invented, he discovered many tricks, that he'd then practice and perfect, along with his tennis game. He also noticed his fellow tennis playing friends would be highly entertained by his tennis tricks. Mastering these tricks certainly improved his hand-eye coordination. You'll see one where he serves with six balls in his hand.  

Mansour wanted to play tennis, with real racquets and on a real court, but there were few tennis courts in Iran.  It seemed a helpless battle, moreover young Mansour didn't give up and kept his dream alive by any means possible. The truth was he wasn't rich enough to play the sport at the tennis country clubs, inhabited by French expats and rich Iranians. After years hanging around a local tennis club, the members relented and allowed him to play. It was there and then, and finally with a real tennis racquet in his hand, where he showed his high level of tennis skill.  It was from this moment that his tennis career began.

For a short time Mansour became a solid player on the men's tour and represented Iran in the Davis Cup (an all nations team tennis competition) Sadly this was the early 1980's in Iran, so after overcoming all those obstacles his progress was brought to an abrupt halt when the Islamic Revolution led to the banning of professional sport in Iran by their backwards thinking religious and political leaders. His dream of a professional tennis career seemed all but over. He still kept his dream alive, even being trapped with his family in Iran.

In 1988, things had settled down in Iran and many were seeking to leave, if they hadn't already. Mansour took his family and left for France. Working first as a tennis instructor in Paris. He tried to return to professional tennis, but it was at the ripe age of 33, a time when many pro tennis players are retiring. It didn't quite work out, he did play some doubles. But the direction of his life was about to change. At age 35 he was eligible for the Senior Tour/Outback Champions Tour. A new venue to play and promote the sport he loves, to a new audience.

Now in his 50's, still active on the Senior Tour, he battles against McEnroe, Sampras and Agassi. At each tour spot he performs his tricks and showmanship in separate exhibitions which pack the house. Usually with a top junior from the surrounding area, with the help of one of his fellow Senior Tour pros. What a story arc Mansour's life has. His story is proof that you can do anything if you put your mind to it. If your willing to give something up of yourself in the process. He gave an insane amount up.

The first video is a collection of some of his best tricks. The 2nd is more of his tricks and act with an interview where you'll hear Mansour tell you part of his story about his life and journey in professional tennis.  ENJOY!!!