Shuzo Matsuoka

About

Former professional tennis player, TV personality, and entertainer known for becoming the first Japanese player to win a singles event on the ATP Tour when he won in Seoul in 1992. He is also known for his wacky "For You" web series where he shouts motivational content while doing unusual tasks and for hosting several Japanese shows. He retired from playing professional tennis in 1998.

Before Fame

He began playing tennis at age 8 years old. Both his older brother and older sister played tennis and got him into the sport. He attended Yanagawa High School, which is a school that focuses on tennis as a sport. He first began playing tennis professionally in 1986. 

Trivia

His father was the chairman of Toho Co., Ltd., which was the studio that produced the Godzilla movies. He was featured in ten television commercials in 2008, which tied him with Takuya Kimura for the celebrity to be featured in the greatest number of Japanese television commercials for that year.

Family Life

He was born and raised in Tokyo, Japan. He has an older brother and sister. He married former TV Tokyo announcer Emiko Taguchi in 1998. They have three children together. 

Associated With

He was coached by Boris Becker. He won a match against Pete Sampras in 1991.