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"Gonzo" Says Goodbye to Tennis
By: Erik Gudris
(February 9, 2012) One of the most exciting and colorful players to compete on the ATP Tour will be hanging up his racquets for good as Chile's Fernando Gonzalez announced his retirement from the sport at the age of 31. Despite appearing at last week's Vina del Mar event in his native Chile, the three-time Olympic medalist said today he had already made up his mind several weeks ago to end his career after a series of injuries over the last few years hampered his ability to play.
"I always said I would play until 30 and in the last months I didn't stop thinking about it and the final decision was made three weeks ago,” Gonzalez said at a press conference today. “It was difficult to play in Vina, but the decision was already taken."
Reaching a career high ranking of No. 5, Gonzalez won 11 tour titles along with reaching the finals of the 2007 Australian Open where he lost to Roger Federer. Gonzalez's last run at a Major was to the semifinals of Roland Garros in 2009. His most notable accomplishment was winning the 2004 Olympic gold medal in doubles with Nicolas Massu in Athens along with the bronze medal in singles along with winning silver in singles at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Known as "Gonzo" to many English-speaking fans and media, Gonzalez possessed one of the best forehands on tour and was always a dangerous opponent on any surface. In 2010, when an 8.8 magnitude earthquake devastated Chile, Gonzalez led fundraising relief efforts including an exhibition in Miami featuring Andy Roddick, Jim Courier and Gustavo Kuerten.
This year's Sony Ericsson Open will be Gonzalez's last official event though he does plan to play at the Brasil Open in San Paulo and the Copa Claro event in Buenos Aires.
“If I retired at Vina it would have been too emotional. Miami means a lot for me and there are a lot of Chilean people over there," said Gonzalez. "I also want to say goodbye to my friends on the tour.”
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