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 45) 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%) (64.7%)
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%) (52.7%)
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 is a famous former professional tennis player from Chile. He was born on July 29, 1980. People often called him El Bombardero de La Reina (The Bomber from La Reina) or Mano de Piedra (Hand of Stone) because of his super powerful forehand shot.

Fernando González is one of only four male tennis players in history 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. He also earned 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 ever!

During his amazing career, González reached the quarterfinals or better at all four major tournaments, known as Grand Slams. His best Grand Slam result was reaching the final of the 2007 Australian Open. He played against the legendary Roger Federer in that final. He also defeated many other top players, including Federer, Lleyton Hewitt, and Andre Agassi when they were ranked number one in the world.

Fernando González's Tennis Journey

Starting Young: Early Years in Tennis

Fernando González started playing tennis when he was just six years old. Before that, he also played football. His father, who loved tennis, helped him choose tennis as his main sport. Fernando practiced three times a week with his coach, Claudio González, at a club in La Reina, Santiago.

When he was eight, Fernando and his dad spent time in the United States. They trained and played in tennis tournaments there. Later, his whole family moved to Miami for four years. This is where Fernando really improved his tennis skills.

Junior Grand Slam Success

As a junior player, Fernando had great success. In 1997, he won the US Open boys' doubles title with his Chilean friend Nicolás Massú. The next year, in 1998, he won the French Open boys' singles title. He beat Juan Carlos Ferrero in the final. He also won the French Open boys' doubles title that year. Fernando was ranked as high as No. 4 in the world for junior singles players.

Becoming a Pro: 1999 to 2004

Fernando González became a professional tennis player in 1999. He quickly started making a name for himself.

First ATP Titles

In May 2000, Fernando won his first ATP Tour title in Orlando, Florida. He beat his friend Nicolás Massú in the final. This was a special moment because it was the first time two Chilean players had played against each other in an ATP final since 1982.

In 2002, he won his second ATP title in Viña del Mar, Chile. He won another title in Palermo, Italy, later that year. Fernando also reached the quarterfinals of the US Open in 2002. He became the top-ranked Chilean player, passing Marcelo Ríos.

Olympic Glory in Athens 2004

The year 2004 was huge for Fernando. He won the Viña del Mar title again. But the most amazing part was at the Olympic Games in Athens, Greece.

Fernando and his doubles partner, Nicolás Massú, won Chile's first-ever Olympic gold medal! They won the men's doubles tournament. Fernando also won a bronze medal in men's singles. 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.

Climbing the Ranks: 2005 to 2007

Fernando González training in 2005.

In 2005, Fernando won his first title on a hard court in Auckland, New Zealand. He also won titles on clay and indoor carpet surfaces, showing he could play well on any court. He even made it to the year-end Tennis Masters Cup in Shanghai, which only the top players qualify for. He became the first Chilean to win a match at this event.

Breaking into the Top 10

In April 2006, Fernando González reached the top 10 in the world singles rankings. This was a big achievement, making him only the third Chilean player to do so. He finished the year ranked No. 10.

Grand Slam Final at the Australian Open 2007

The highlight of Fernando's career came in January 2007. He reached the final of the 2007 Australian Open. This made him the first Chilean to reach the quarterfinals of all four Grand Slam tournaments. On his way to the final, he beat many strong players, including the world No. 2, Rafael Nadal. In the final, he played against the world No. 1, Roger Federer. Even though he lost, it was a fantastic achievement. After this tournament, his ranking jumped to a career-high of No. 5 in the world.

Later in 2007, he reached the final of the Rome Masters and won the China Open title in Beijing. He also qualified for the 2007 Tennis Masters Cup again. In his first match there, he surprised everyone by beating Roger Federer for the very first time. He ended 2007 ranked No. 7 in the world.

Olympic Silver and Later Career: 2008 to 2012

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

In 2008, Fernando won his home tournament in Viña del Mar for the third time. He also won another ATP title in Munich.

Beijing Olympics 2008

Fernando represented Chile at the Beijing Olympics. He was even the flag-bearer for his country at the opening ceremony. In singles, he had an amazing run, winning a silver medal after beating James Blake in the semifinals. He played against Rafael Nadal in the gold medal match.

French Open Semifinal 2009

In 2009, Fernando had another great year at the Grand Slams. He reached the semifinals of the 2009 French Open for the first time. He beat Andy Murray in the quarterfinals. He also reached the quarterfinals of the US Open that year.

Injuries and Retirement

In 2010, Fernando faced some challenges. He had a knee injury that kept him out of play for almost three months. Later that year, he had surgery on his right hip and possibly his right knee.

After recovering, Fernando returned to play in 2011. He made it to the third round of Wimbledon. On February 9, 2012, Fernando González announced that he would retire from professional tennis. His last professional match was on March 21, 2012, at the Miami Masters.

Fernando González's Life Off the Court

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

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

Images for kids

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  González at the 2019 Pan American Games

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  Fernando González at training for the World Team Cup, in 2005

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  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