Fernando Gonzalez

Fernando González is a Chilean former professional tennis player who is one of only four men in history to have won an Olympic tennis medal in every color. He reached at least the quarterfinals of all four major tournaments and is known for having one of the strongest forehands on the tour.

He is nicknamed "El Bombardero de La Reina" ("The Bomber from La Reina") and "Mano de Piedra" ("Hand of Stone").

Player Profile and Personal Life

Fernando Francisco González Ciuffardi was born on July 29, 1980, in Santiago, Chile. He stands 183 cm tall and he plays right-handed with a one-handed backhand.

He began playing tennis at the age of six, splitting his time with football until his father, an amateur tennis player, persuaded him to focus on tennis. When he was 12, his family moved to Miami for four years so he could hone his skills at the Patricio Apey Academy.

Early Life and Junior Career

González played his first junior match in August 1995 at the age of 15. As a junior, he won the US Open boys' doubles title in 1997 with fellow Chilean Nicolás Massú, and the French Open boys' singles and doubles titles in 1998.

He reached as high as No. 4 in the world in junior singles and No. 2 in doubles.

Professional Career

González turned professional in 1999. His career was highlighted by his ability to compete with the sport's greatest players and his Olympic success. He won Chile's first-ever Olympic gold medal with Nicolás Massú in men's doubles at the 2004 Athens Olympics, where he also won a bronze medal in singles. He added a silver medal to his collection in singles at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

González is one of the few players to have reached at least the quarterfinals of all four major tournaments. He reached his only major final at the Australian Open in 2007, where he lost to Roger Federer. He achieved his career-high singles ranking of World No. 5 in January 2007. During his career, he won 11 singles titles and three doubles titles on the ATP Tour, and defeated many top players, including Lleyton Hewitt, Andre Agassi, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal.

González retired from professional tennis in 2012.

Career Record

Singles

• Career record: 370–202 (64.7%)
• Career titles: 11
• Highest ranking: No. 5 (January 29, 2007)

Best Grand Slam Singles Performances

• Australian Open – F (2007)
• French Open – SF (2009)
• Wimbledon – QF (2005)
• US Open – QF (2002, 2009)

Other tournaments (Singles)

• Tour Finals – RR (2005, 2007)
• Olympic Games – F (2008)

Doubles

• Career record: 109–98 (52.7%)
• Career titles: 3
• Highest ranking: No. 25 (July 4, 2005)

Best Grand Slam Doubles Performances

• Australian Open – QF (2010)
• French Open – SF (2005)
• Wimbledon – 2R (2005)
• US Open – QF (2004)

Other tournaments (Doubles)

• Olympic Games – W (2004)

Mixed Doubles

Best Grand Slam Mixed Doubles Performances

• French Open – QF (2006)
• Wimbledon – 2R (2006)

Team competitions

• Davis Cup – QF (2006, 2010)