Welcome Back, Fernando Gonzalez!

Written by: Staff on 25th June 2011

Welcome Back, Fernando Gonzalez! |

With 11 career singles titles and a career highest ranking of No. 5, Fernando Gonzalez is a player to watch out for at Wimbledon. Even if his best Wimbledon result is reaching quarterfinal in 2005, he would be another seeded player’s worst nightmare on any given day. The smiling Chilean has been missed on the ATP Tour.

Gonzalez had eight months out after having hip surgery. His singles ranking has slipped to No. 478 in the world. He had to withdraw from this year’s French Open due to a knee injury. It was the first time since he came on the tour in 2001 he had to miss the Grand Slam in Paris. In 2009 Fernando reached the semi-final and lost to Robin Soderling at Stade Roland Garros. His best Grand Slam result was at the Australian Open in 2007 when he reached the final and lost to Roger Federer.

His English nickname is “Gonzo”. His forehand is one of the most powerful on the tour, which earned him the name Mano de Piedra, meaning Stone Hand in English.

He started off at Wimbledon this year winning his first round against No.22 seed Alexandr Dolgopolov in four sets. In the second round Fernando went on to play Rik De Voest of South Afric, winning in three sets, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4.

Waiting in the next round is No. 12 seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France. This match could possibly be one of the most entertaining matches of the Championships.

Good luck Fernando – it’s great to have you back.