Fernando Gonzalez

Chilean Fernando Gonzalez is one of the most entertaining players on the ATP circuit. With a reputation for giant killings and a versatile and adaptive playing style, Gonzalez has all he needs to build on his excellent performances in the grand slams to take his maiden grand slam title in 2008.

Player Biography

Fernando Gonzalez was born in Santiago, Chile in 1982. He picked up the sport of tennis at an early age, training at the Club de Leones de La Reina. A mercurial teenage talent, Gonzalez achieved excellent results in the youth grand slams, winning the French Open singles  title and the US Open boys doubles.

Career

Fernando Gonzalez played his first full season of professional tennis in 2000, winning his first title at the Men's Clay Court Championships in Orlando, Florida. Gonzalez was forced to wait another two years before claiming his next two titles, first winning at home in the Viña del Mar Movistar Open before taking top honours at the Palermo Open.

Grand Slam Record

Fernando Gonzalez's first grand slam event was the 2000 US open where he won a single match before exiting the tournament in the second round. He played in all four grand slams for the first time in 2002 moving to at least the third round in every one, bar the French Open. His best performance came in the US Open where he reached the quarterfinals.

In the years following his grand slam debut, Feranando Gonzalez's form fluctuated, as he endured a trophy-less season in 2003 before reclaiming the Movistar Open in his only tournament win of 2004 – the year that saw him claim the Olympic bronze medal.

The following years saw the Chilean achieve consistent results in ATP tournaments as he won in Auckland, Amersfoort, Basel and Beijing. However he has been frustrated at the highest level, and has failed to win a grand slam despite frequently advancing to the third round and beyond in all four grand slam opens.

Gonzalez's best result was an appearance in the 2007 Australian Open final where he lost to Roger Federer.

Playing Style

Fernando Gonzalez's powerful forehand has earned him the Spanish nickname 'Mano de Piedra', which translates as 'stone hand'. His forehand is complemented by a devastating backhand slice, as well an intelligent serve that allows him to easily out-manoeuvre his opponents.