It’s Game Over For Fernando Gonzalez [Video]

by Staff | March 22nd, 2012, 1:01 am
  • 12 Comments

Fernando Gonzalez went down fighting right to the very end. With one of the most feriocuious forehands the game has ever seen, the affable Chilean who spent six years in the ATP’s top 20, played his final match Wednesday night losing to Nicolas Mahut in a tough 7-5, 4-6, 7-6(3) defeat in the first round of Miami.

Gonzalez has been hit hard by injuries, specifically a hip, the last few years that limited his play. Still, the 31-year-old will no doubt go down as one of the greats from Chile and among the best tennis players from South America.


He finishes with 11 career ATP titles, a 2007 Australian Open final, a gold medal in doubles from the 2004 Athens Olympics, singles silver from 2008 Beijing, and he reached a career-high ranking of No. 5.

Following the match Wednesday night, Fernando was honored in an on-court ceremony by ATP Executive Chairman and President Brad Drewett, and Sony Ericsson Open Executive Vice President and Tournament Director Adam Barrett. A special video tribute featuring goodbyes from Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Andy Murray, the Bryan Brothers and David Nalbandian aired on the big screens (video above).

“At the end, the video was great. It’s not only about tennis. It’s also about friends,” Gonzalez said. “I mean, we’ve been playing against each other many times, but at the end of the day we are friends. We have a great relationship. Of course, the atmosphere was great. We’re really far away from Chile, and there was little flags. There was my family here. I had a lot of friends, and I really enjoyed the moment.”

Later, Gonzalez tweeted, “Game over! !”.


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12 Comments for It’s Game Over For Fernando Gonzalez [Video]

Steve 27 Says:

See ya Fernando!


alison hodge Says:

yeah good luck for the future gonzo,and what a lovely tribute,go and enjoy your retirement,whatever you choose to do.


Ajet Says:

he’s from such a small country like chile yet he has done so well for so many years that we can never forget him! not easy to be a good player whom people will remember! so his life’s been worth it and son has been his tennis career.

he has every right to chill now! :D


Ajet Says:

am sure gonzo’ll make the most of his post-retirement life by enjoying himself! and he would also come to watch tennis matches without having the burden of serving out for the match in his mind, he’ll just enjoy himself now, he’ll have fun! he’s got things that most of us can only dream of! SO CHEERS GONZO, CHILL OUT!!! :D


skeezerweezer Says:

Gonzo

Your fire and your master blaster FH will be missed. Thanks fo the memories and hope all goes well with the hip?

buena suerte!!


Humble Rafa Says:

Well Done, Gonzo. World will be poorer without your BIG forehand.


MMT Says:

My 3 favorite memories from his career:

1) Irritated by Stepanek’s continual delaying of his serve in Miami 3 years ago, he belts a serve up the T, and off a weak reply up the middle, he hits a half over-heard/forehand straight at his opponent, who for his sake, fortunately turns his butt cheek in time for it to take the brunt of the shot – absolutely no apology from Gonzo afterward (as well there shouldn’t be!)

2) A chinse fan at the Beijing olympics, overcome with joy at his victory over James Blake, collapses in a ball of tears while attempting to sing the Chilean rally cry of, “Chi-Chi-Chi, Le-Le-Le, viva Chile!”

3) (I don’t know who this was against, or when he did it, but) furious at his inability to keep his backhand in the court, he slams his racquet, head first, into the court and the force is so strong, it’s split in two mangled parts, the head and throat, and the grip.

Thanks for the memories!


jane Says:

Bye Fernando – you were a blast to watch. I have special memories of your deep AO run in 2007, very excellent tennis, and also of your semifinal versus Soderling at the FO in 2009 when you rubbed the line clean with your butt. Ha ha! :) You almost made the finals during that slam too. Always a fun and spirited player – Gonzalez will be missed. Soulful eyes too.


Super Says:

Thanks for the good memories Gonzo! Enjoy your time away from tennis.

A great competitor and an entertaining player to watch…you will be missed on the main tour.


Ajet Says:

excellent tribute video, the nalby part was realy sweetest and best; djoker’s part was the freshest, jolliful and sincerest; murray seemed most appreciative…

djoker connected most to gonzo, both coming from small countries and you could see djoker’s eye dazzle with excitement while praising gonzo.


dari Says:

adios, amigo! such an entertaining player


Michael Says:

Fernando Gonzalez is a lovable player who had a terrific forehand where the ball sailed like a bullet. He is one of the many players who couldn’t realize his potential. I remember in the Australian Open finals against Roger he had set points in the first set but couldn’t convert those and he lost the match. Also his match against Rafa at the Australian Open where he almost outclassed him still linger in my memory. He has now decided to retire and all the best to him for a peaceful after Tennis life. Tennis will miss him but all good things come to an end and that is the way we should take it.

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