Fernando González facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Fernando González

González at the 2019 Pan American Games
Country (sports)	Chile
Residence	Miami, United States
Born	(1980-07-29) 29 July 1980 (age 44) Santiago, Chile
Height	1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Turned pro	1999
Retired	2012
Plays	Right-handed (one-handed backhand)
Prize money	$8,862,276
Singles
Career record	370–202 (64.69%)
Career titles	11
Highest ranking	No. 5 (29 January 2007)
Grand Slam singles results
Australian Open	F (2007)
French Open	SF (2009)
Wimbledon	QF (2005)
US Open	QF (2002, 2009)
Other tournaments
Tour Finals	RR (2005, 2007)
Olympic Games	F (2008)
Doubles
Career record	109–98 (52.66%)
Career titles	3
Highest ranking	No. 25 (4 July 2005)
Grand Slam doubles results
Australian Open	QF (2010)
French Open	SF (2005)
Wimbledon	2R (2005)
US Open	QF (2004)
Other doubles tournaments
Olympic Games	W (2004)
Mixed doubles
Career record	3–2
Career titles	0
Grand Slam mixed doubles results
French Open	QF (2006)
Wimbledon	2R (2006)
Team competitions
Davis Cup	QF (2006, 2010)
Coaching career (2018–)
Elias Ymer (August 2018–)
Medal record Olympic Games Gold 2004 Athens Doubles Silver 2008 Beijing Singles Bronze 2004 Athens Singles

Fernando Francisco González Ciuffardi (born 29 July 1980) is a former professional tennis player from Chile. He is famous for his powerful forehand shot. People nicknamed him El Bombardero de La Reina ("The Bomber from La Reina") and Mano de Piedra ("Hand of Stone").

Fernando González achieved amazing things in his tennis career. He reached at least the quarterfinals in all four major tournaments, known as Grand Slams. He played in one Grand Slam final at the 2007 Australian Open.

He is one of only four male tennis players to win an Olympic tennis medal of every color. He won a gold medal in doubles and a bronze in singles at the Athens 2004 Olympics. Then, he won a silver medal in singles at the Beijing 2008 Olympics. The gold medal he won with his partner Nicolás Massú in 2004 was Chile's very first Olympic gold medal!

Throughout his career, González beat many of the world's best players. This includes Lleyton Hewitt, Andre Agassi, Roger Federer (when they were ranked No. 1), Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Andy Murray.

Becoming a Tennis Star

Early Life and Training

Fernando González started playing both football and tennis when he was just four years old. His father, who loved tennis, convinced him to choose tennis. Fernando began playing seriously at age six. His family moved to La Reina in Santiago, where he practiced three times a week.

When he was eight, Fernando and his father spent time in the United States for tennis training. In 1992, his whole family moved to Miami, USA, for four years. There, he improved his skills at a special tennis academy.

Junior Success and Turning Pro

Fernando played his first junior match in 1995 when he was 15. As a junior player, he won the US Open boys' doubles in 1997 with his friend Nicolás Massú. In 1998, he won the French Open boys' singles, beating Juan Carlos Ferrero in the final. He also won the doubles that year.

He became a professional tennis player in 1999.

Professional Career Highlights

First Titles and Rising Through the Ranks (1999–2004)

Fernando González won his first professional title in May 2000 in Orlando, Florida. He beat his fellow Chilean, Nicolás Massú, in the final. This was a special moment for Chilean tennis.

In 2001, he played in the Australian Open for the first time. In 2002, he won his second ATP title in Viña del Mar, Chile. Later that year, he won another title in Italy. He also reached the quarterfinals at the US Open. By September 2002, he became the top-ranked Chilean player.

In 2003, he helped Chile win the World Team Cup, winning all his matches. He repeated this success in 2004.

Olympic Glory in Athens (2004)

The 2004 Olympic Games in Athens were a huge moment for Fernando. He and his doubles partner, Nicolás Massú, won Chile's first-ever Olympic gold medal! They beat a German team in a thrilling final.

Fernando also won a bronze medal in the men's singles event. He had to play both the bronze medal match and the doubles final on the same day. He even saved match points in both games, showing incredible determination.

Breaking into the Top 10 (2005–2006)

Fernando González training for the World Team Cup in 2005

In 2005, Fernando won his first title on a hard court in New Zealand. He also won a doubles title in Spain. Later that year, he reached the quarterfinals at Wimbledon. He continued to show his skill on different court types by winning titles in the Netherlands and Switzerland. His great results allowed him to play in the year-end Tennis Masters Cup.

In April 2006, Fernando González entered the top 10 in the world singles rankings for the first time. He reached his first major final at the Madrid Masters, losing to Roger Federer. He finished 2006 ranked No. 10 in the world.

Grand Slam Final and Top Ranking (2007)

The year 2007 was a highlight for Fernando. He reached the final of the 2007 Australian Open, which was his first and only Grand Slam final. On his way to the final, he beat top players like Lleyton Hewitt, James Blake, and world No. 2 Rafael Nadal. He lost the final to world No. 1, Roger Federer.

After this amazing performance, his ranking jumped to No. 5, his highest career singles ranking. In May, he reached the finals of the Rome Masters. In November, he qualified for the 2007 Tennis Masters Cup again. He even beat Roger Federer for the first time in their many matches! He ended the year ranked No. 7.

Beijing Olympics and Later Years (2008–2012)

In 2008, Fernando won his home tournament in Viña del Mar for the third time. He also won another title in Munich, Germany. He reached the quarterfinals of the 2008 French Open for the second time.

At the Beijing Olympics, Fernando was Chile's flag bearer. He won a silver medal in singles, beating James Blake in the semifinals. He lost the gold medal match to Rafael Nadal.

In 2009, Fernando had a thrilling five-set win over Lleyton Hewitt at the 2009 Australian Open. He also came back from two sets down to win another match. He won the Viña del Mar tournament for the fourth time, not losing a single set.

At the 2009 French Open, he reached the semifinals for the first time in his career. He came very close to winning that match, showing his fighting spirit. He also reached the quarterfinals of the 2009 US Open.

In 2010, he had a tough five-set loss to Andy Roddick at the 2010 Australian Open. He then helped Chile win a Davis Cup tie. Later that year, he had surgery on his hip and knee, which kept him out of the game for many months.

Fernando González returned to play in 2011. On 9 February 2012, he announced that he would retire from professional tennis after the Miami Masters. He played his last match on 21 March 2012.

Personal Life

Fernando González was born in Santiago. His father, Fernando González Ramírez, manages a flour mill. His mother, Patricia Ciuffardi, is a housewife and has Italian family roots. He has two sisters, Patricia and Jéssica.

Since 2017, he has been in a relationship with Luciana Aymar, a famous field hockey player from Argentina. They have two children: a son named Félix, born in 2019, and a daughter named Lupe, born in 2021. In July 2022, Fernando announced that his family would be moving to Miami.

Images for kids

• 

  González made the semi-finals of the 2009 French Open, his career-best performance at the tournament.

See also

In Spanish: Fernando González (tenista) para niños