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Grand Slam
Tennis champ Fernando González has blasted his way through the rankings
to become South America’s top pro.
By SOLEDAD GIMENEZ
The professional tennis circuit is buzzing with anticipation over the sport’s upcoming tournaments and its hottest competitors. And the spotlight is shining bright on Chilean native Fernando González.
The winner of eight Association of Tennis Professional (ATP) titles, González is now ranked No. 7 in the world and is the second-highest Latino, just under Rafael Nadal. The highest position González has attained on the ATP Race was fifth place in 2007, after he got to the Australian Open finals with trainer Larry Stefanki, but lost to the world’s No.1 player, Roger Federer.
Feña, as he is known, has been able to get to the quarter-finals of the four existing Grand Slams. González’s biggest goal was to classify for the Tennis Master’s Cup 2007 held in Shanghai, and he achieved it. With that accomplished, he brought this past season to a spectacular end, broke a two-year streak of bad luck in which he hadn’t obtained a single title, and won the Peking Open after defeating Spaniard Tommy Robredo.
There is definitely some strategic planning in the works for this season. Hispanic caught up with González days before the Sony Ericsson Open and got a glimpse of his year ahead.
Hispanic Magazine: What is the outcome of 2007?
Fernando González: The truth is that 2007 was full of ups and downs, but I can say that, all in all, it had a positive outcome. The fact that I was able to get to the Grand Slam finals, and that I classified at the Master in Shanghai is no small feat.
HM: Did you ever imagine that you would be the only Latin American at the Masters Series in Shanghai?
FG: No. Not at all, since there are more and more Latinos competing each year. Plus, David Nalbandian was very close to getting there, too. In any case, the important thing was to have been there, though I would’ve loved to have more Latinos present. It’s very good for the region.
HM: How did it feel to defeat Roger Federer, on the first match of the Masters?
FG: Having won a very tight match ... after so many defeats made me evolve as a player. Everybody wants to defeat No. 1, and achieving that gives a boost to your confidence.
HM: To end 2007 as one of the best players in the world was one of your main goals, and you achieved it. What was the key to that?
FG: The key was to become a better player every day, and of course experience had an important role in it.
HM: If you had to highlight three moments of the past season, what would they be?
FG: Finals in Australia, Finals in Rome and defeating Federer.
HM: In 2008 you will have to defend many points. What type of pressure does this put on you?
FG: You always go up and down on the ranking. I just hope I will always have to defend points!
HM: They say that the most complicated thing is not to get there, but to stay there. But it seems you were able to achieve both. To what do you attribute these achievements?
FG: Working hard every day is very important in being able to stay on top, and improving your tennis skills, because someone will always want to take your place.
HM: How much has the influence of Larry Stefanki and Carlos Burgos affected this professional growth?
FG: A lot. With Larry I’ve been able to improve many things in a short period of time, and I’m still improving. On the other hand, with Carlos Burgos I was able to get into a physical shape I had never been in before.
HM: The Sony Ericsson Open is a tournament that brings satisfaction to many. What does this event mean to your agenda?
FG: This is the most important tournament, after the Grand Slams, especially for us Latinos since we feel at home.
HM: What goals have you set for this starting season?
FG: Hopefully to be able to participate in the Master tournament again, and what I want more than anything else is to win a Grand Slam.
HM: With all the traveling you do, do you have time to relax?
FG: I make time whenever I can.
HM: Do you get to visit places other than the tennis courts when you travel?
FG: The truth is I do, but not really as a tourist! I try to take something from every city I visit. I can’t conceive of the idea of going around the world without getting to know it. There are magnificent places that are worth seeing.
HM: Before the pre-season, it’s key to find a place to relax. Where do you vacation?
FG: I almost always choose places where there are the least amount of people possible. The circuit demands a lot of energy and those places give me a lot of peace and revitalize me.
HM: What are the positives and the negatives of the demands brought by the professional circuit?
FG: The positive thing is that you never stop playing, and that, in a way, allows me to always be a child, doing what I do best. And in that way, I feel like I’m not working. I enjoy what I do very much. The bad thing is to have to travel so much. That forces me to be far away from my loved ones, and likewise, I can’t devote as much time to them as I would like to.
HM: Once retired, do you think you’ll stay in the world of tennis somehow?
FG: I will, 100 percent, since it’s what I like to do most.
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