Fernando Gonzalez Miami Interview - March 21st 2012 Sony Ericsson Open

Fernando Gonzalez Miami Interview - March 21st 2012 Sony Ericsson Open

N. MAHUT/F. Gonzalez
7‑5, 4‑6, 7‑6

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Can you describe what you felt out there at the last point?
FERNANDO GONZÁLEZ: Many things. I was really tired in the end, and I said I don't want to finish with a double fault, but it was. I was tired.
But, I mean, after that, he just dictate. The atmosphere was great. I save a couple of match points before, and I felt that it's gonna be the end, you know, and then I have the chance to keep playing. I have my chances.
But Nicolas played better in the important moments, and I was a little bit tired at the end.

Q. What went into the decision to decide to retire here? Just the hip?
FERNANDO GONZÁLEZ: To retire or retire in Miami?

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Gonzalez loses in Miami, plays last match of career

Gonzalez loses in Miami, plays last match of career

Fernando Gonzalez was beaten by Nicolas Mahut 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (3) in his first round match at the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami.

Gonzales, who played his last tennis match as a professional player, says he would like to be remembered as someone who gave “100 percent every single time when he went to the court. And, of course, I think is much better to remember as a person than as a tennis player.”

The Chilean reached the 2007 Australian Open final, won 11 career singles titles, the 2004 Olympic gold medal in doubles and bronze medal in singles, along with a silver in singles in 2008.

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Photos: Gonzalez v Mahut at Sony Ericsson Open 2012

Photos: Gonzalez v Mahut at Sony Ericsson Open 2012

Fernando Gonzalez played his last tennis match as a professional player after losing in three sets to Nicolas Mahut during Day 3 of the Sony Ericsson Open at Crandon Park Tennis Center in Key Biscayne, Florida.... Check out some pictures from their match....

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Video: Fernando Gonzalez Retirement Tribute Video

Video: Fernando Gonzalez Retirement Tribute Video

ATP World Tour stars, including Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic, pay tribute to Chile's Fernando Gonzalez, who is retiring after the Sony Ericsson Open.

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Fernando Gonzalez to play his last tennis tournament as a professional player

Fernando Gonzalez to play his last tennis tournament as a professional player

Fernando Gonzalez, who reached a career high of number 5, will play his last professional tennis tournament in Miami this week.

The Chilean, who received a wild card into the Sony Ericsson Open, will face Nicolas Mahut in his first round match.

“I couldn’t stop thinking and then I realized that I did not have the same energy,” said Gonzalez. “I could not get up in the morning and give the same kind of intensity that’s needed to be at the top [of the rankings].”

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Miami Photos: Gonzalez makes the Sony Ericsson Open 2012 draw

Miami Photos: Gonzalez makes the Sony Ericsson Open 2012 draw

Fernando Gonzalez helped Tournament Director Adam Barnett, and Tournament Referee Mark Darby to make the Men's Draw during Day 1 of the Sony Ericsson Open at Crandon Park Tennis Center in Key Biscayne.

Feña will retire from professional tennis after playing this week in Miami....

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Nishikori, Gonzalez reached 2nd round in Argentina

Nishikori, Gonzalez reached 2nd round in Argentina

Kei Nishikori scored a 7-5, 3-6, 6-2 victory over Juan Carlos Ferrero and reached the second round of the Copa Claro in Buenos Aires.

Fernando Gonzalez advanced after Albert Montanes retired during the second set with a hip injury. Gonzalez was leading 7-5, 1-0.

Stanislas Wawrinka beat Horacio Zeballos 6-3, 6-4 to advance.

Also in the first round, Carlos Berlocq defeated Pere Riba 6-7 (5), 6-0, 6-0, Victor Hanescu topped Pablo Andujar 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (4) and Facundo Bagnis beat Leonardo Mayer 5-7, 6-4, 6-2.

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Gonzalez eliminated in 1st round of Brazil Open 2012

Gonzalez eliminated in 1st round of Brazil Open 2012

Fernando Gonzalez lost to Igor Andreev 6-2, 6-3 in the first round of the Brazil Open 2012.

Gonzalez lost in just more than an hour. The Chilean had the support of the Brazilian crowd but won only six points on Andreev’s service games.

“I was happy, I tried to enjoy all the moments because I know the end of my career is near,” said Gonzalez, currently ranked 266th in the world.

Fernando announced he was retiring because he lacks the energy to play at the top level after a series of back, knee and hip injuries in recent years.

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Fernando Gonzalez to retire from professional tennis after the Masters in Miami

Fernando Gonzalez to retire from professional tennis after the Masters in Miami

Fernando Gonzalez announced just a few moments ago that he will retire from professional tennis after playing the Masters in Miami in March.

The Chilean, who won 2 Olympic medals, won´t wait until the London 2012 Olympics to retire as his body is not 100%.

"I've decided to end my career as a professional player in Miami," said Gonzalez.

He will also play in tournaments in Sao Paulo and Buenos Aires.

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Gonzalez and Bellucci upset in Chile

Gonzalez and Bellucci upset in Chile

Federico Delbonis upset Thomaz Bellucci 6-2, 7-5 at the VTR Open to reach the quarter-finals.

Delbonis broke Bellucci four times from five opportunities and dropped serve just once to claim the win in one hour and 31 minutes.

He will next plays Carlos Berlocq, who beat Diego Junqueira, 6-1, 6-0 in 62 minutes.

Joao Souza defeated Fernando Gonzalez 6-3, 7-6(6).

Souza converted five of his eight break point chances to clinch victory in one hour and 47 minutes.

The 23-year-old Souza will face either Juan Ignacio Chela or Horacio Zeballos.

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Berlocq and Gonzalez into 2nd round at Vina Del Mar

Berlocq and Gonzalez into 2nd round at Vina Del Mar

Carlos Berlocq defeated Daniel Gimeno-Traver 7-5, 6-0 to reach the second round of the Vina Del Mar VTR Open.

The tournament is the first event on the monthlong clay court swing around Latin America.

Berlocq and Albert Montanes are the only seeded players in action on Tuesday.

Fernando Gonzalez defeated Pere Riba 6-4, 6-4 in his opening match at the VTR Open in Viña del Mar Tuesday.

Gonzalez, sidelined with a knee injury for most of 2011, took the match in one hour and 28 minutes to win his 2012 season debut.

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Gonzalez not retiring but questionable for Australian Open 2012

Gonzalez not retiring but questionable for Australian Open 2012

Fernando Gonzalez said he has no plans to retire after an exhibition with Gael Monfils.

"When I do retire, you will hear it from me—not from sources close to the player."

Gonzalez underwent hip surgery in October of 2010 and only played a handful of tournaments in 2011.

The Chilean said that he has entered the Australian Open, but may not make the trip.

The 2008 Olympic silver medalist wants to play in the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

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Washington 2011: Troicki, Tipsarevic, Blake & Gonzalez Meet Manchester United Stars

Washington 2011: Troicki, Tipsarevic, Blake & Gonzalez Meet Manchester United Stars

Fernando Gonzalez, James Blake, Viktor Troicki and Janko Tipsarevic imparted their tennis skills on Manchester United defenders Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic on Friday in Washington D.C..

Manchester United, English Premier League Champions, will play against the Barcelona Washington where the tennis players are to participate at the Legg Mason Tennis Classic.

Vidic and Gonzalez defeated Ferdinand and Blake in a friendly match.

“My partner let me down man....saying that though but I ACED Gonzalez....yes you read that right, I ACED a top 10 calibre player! POW!!!” Ferdinand later tweeted.

Source ATP

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Fernando Gonzalez out of French Open

Fernando Gonzalez out of French Open

Fernando Gonzalez pulled out of the French Open because of a knee injury and will be replaced in the main draw by Brian Dabul.

Gonzalez, who will be out for about 3 weeks, said on his Twitter account "it's a shame, but I'm doing everything possible to come back and feel better."

Gonzalez, once ranked No. 5, has dropped to No. 370 in the ATP rankings after surgery on his right hip.

The Chilean returned last month following an eight-month absence but retired at Challenger tournaments in Prague and Bordeaux because of his ailing knee.

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Fernando Gonzalez Answers Facebook Questions

Fernando Gonzalez answers questions submitted by fans on Facebook.

What type of rehabilitation program did you take to regain your fitness level?
-Chitrang Sawant
I train at least five times a week in the gym, lots of work using all my body.

How did you feel back on court?? Its great to have you back!! :)
-Petra Mittendorf, Germany
I am happy to be playing again; it’s a gift for me. Now comes the most difficult part, but also the best part.

What do you feel when you see your character in the upcoming videogame Virtua Tennis 4? Do you feel proud and do you think it's a form of recognition of your great career?
-Esteban Drangosch
It will be very entertaining to see myself in a game where I will be a player who never gets injured. Hahaha!
Fernando Gonzalez Answers Facebook Questions

From the top players, who do you enjoy playing with the most?
-Sara Muhammad camouflage
I like the big fighters and I’ve always had good matches with Roddick or Hewitt for example.

What's the secret behind your strong forehand..???
-Shyam Krishna
The most important thing is to use all of your body.

Do you prefer faster court surfaces, which make your shots come off the court quickly - or slower surfaces, which give you more time to set-up?
-Jacob Funnell
I prefer the faster courts, but on slower courts I have more control; fortunately I play well on both.

What was your best/worst moment or experience on the tour?
-Plani Fra
For sure the worst was having the surgery and there have been so many good moments, including the one I’m living right now.

Is there a chance that you will play at your home continent in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, despite the fact that you'll be 36 then?
-János Szomszéd, Hungary
I would love to, but being realistic, no.

Where do you keep your trophies?
-Marouane Ziani
They are in my house. I have them in a very safe room.

What is your favourite movie, band, book and/or celebrity?
-Mikhaal Ahmad
Movie - Invictus; Band - U2

Which legend inspires you?
-Jak Sparow
Nelson Mandela


Source ATP

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Lopez beats Gonzalez at the Belgrade 2011

Lopez beats Gonzalez at the Serbian Open 2011

Feliciano Lopez defeated Fernando Gonzalez 6-4, 7-6 in the second round of the Serbian Open in Belgrade.

"Feliciano served really good and he came to the net on the important points. He won a couple that changed the outcome of the match," Gonzalez commented after the match.

"I think I played great. Compared to the match yesterday, I played better. I'm so happy to win, especially against Fernando, on clay and on that surface, which is not my favorite." Lopez said to the press.

Gonzalez, who is coming back from a long time off the tennis world because of hip surgery in 2010, was positive after the match.

"I have things to improve. Nothing to worry [about]. I'm going to play more matches," said Gonzalez. "This week I was surprised in a good way with how I felt. I was running, I was sliding, I felt really good on the court. I need to improve on my forehand side, and hit more balls but in competition."

About the Chilean's level Lopez commented:"I think Fernando played well. He went almost a year without playing, but it seems like he was not injured, because of the way he hit the ball. He was serving well, hitting the forehand unbelievably."



Source AP

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Belgrade 2011: Gonzalez Starts Comeback With A Win

Belgrade 2011: Gonzalez Starts Comeback With A Win

Fernando Gonzalez defeated Martin Klizan 6-2, 6-4 in the first round of the Serbia Open.

This was Gonzalez's first match in 11 month after he was sidelined because of a right hip surgery.

“I haven’t played for a long time but my shots are already in my game,” Fernando said. “I’m moving better every day but I need to play more matches, more points and I need to compete. Maybe the conditions today weren’t really good for a great match but it was good for tough competition.”

“Obviously I’m really happy for that (the win), but I was scared at what was going to happen, and I felt good [out there]. The conditions were tough and you have to move really quickly and that’s the thing needed most in the past. That’s why I lost a lot of my power, I couldn’t move very well before the surgery.”

Next for the Chilean will be Feliciano Lopez, who beat Juan Monaco today.

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Fernando Gonzalez Returns to ATP World Tour

Fernando Gonzalez Returns to ATP World Tour

Fernando Gonzalez, who had surgery on his right hip on 4 October 2010, is ready to return to the ATP World tour after he was given medical clearance by his doctors.

The Chilean former number 5, who has a new coach Horacio Matta, commented on twitter: "Today I finish my 6 months post-op rehab. I was discharged and ready to go back to game."

Gonzalez is currently No. 395 in ATP Rankings, has been training in recent weeks with the Chilean Davis Cup team in Santiago and in the United States with his coach.

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Fernando Gonzalez to return at Belgrade next month

Fernando Gonzalez to return at Belgrade next month

Former top 10, Fernando Gonzalez, announced on twitter that he has resumed hitting after spending many month out of the tennis courts due to a hip surgery.

The Chilean currently plans to make his return in Belgrade at the end of April.

Gonzalez also commented he has a new coach, Horacio Matta, and together they will begin training in the United States during March.

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Gonzalez Follows 33 Chilean Miners' Rescue

Gonzalez Follows 33 Chilean Miners' Rescue

Fernando Gonzalez has been following the rescue of 33 trapped miners in northern Chile.

Gonzalez, who had hip surgery a few days ago, is recovering at home in Santiago has intently followed the unfolding drama on a daily basis.

“Like any Chilean, I have been following the story since the first day. It has been something huge obviously for us," Gonzalez said. "Everyone is worried for them and cheering at the same time whenever we hear good news about them being safe. We are hoping that this is over soon, like everyone else in the world. We are nervous, expecting and hoping that they all come out well.

“I don’t personally know anyone who has been trapped, nor has anyone in my family worked in mines, but I do know people who have worked in mines in the past. They have told me all about it, how it works; it’s pretty much what they show on TV all day here. It’s worldwide news at the moment. Big tragedy. We all just want a happy ending.”

“It has been a hard year for Chile. As a country both in the north and in the south there have been tragedies.”

“With all the bad though, the good we can take is that the country is sticking together closer than ever and is ready to move forward.”

All 33 miners are safe with their families after spending 69 days under ground trapped in a mine.

Source ATP

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