Może coś w tym jest bo nawet na Wimblu nie grali mixta. Ah ta Gisela, to już 4 kolejny tenisista...

Własnie to czytalem. Prawdziwa love story. Szkoda

Paryski wywiad z Feną:

Q: Where would you find the Mona Lisa?
A: At the Louvre.

Q: Where is the best view from the Eiffel Tower?
A: I went to the Maison Blanche restaurant to see it, but the view from the Café de l’Homme is the best.

Q: What is the name of the main football team in Paris?
A: Paris Saint-Germain.

Q: How many times has Roger Federer won the BNPPM?
A: 0.

Q: Who are the two players who have won the most BNPPM titles?
A: I think it’s Marat and maybe Forget? (correct answer: Marat Safin and Boris Becker).

Q: In 2002, you lost in the first round of the doubles, do you remember who your team-mate was?
A: Easy, it was Andy, Andy Roddick.

Q: How do you explain that you’ve never won a match at the BNPPM?
A: I have no explanation for that. I think I’m 0-and-6. Sometimes I was playing well and other times I was horrible and sometimes I was just tired. But I’ve never won a match. But I’m going to try this year, it’s one of my goals. Three of the six times I had played the final in Basle and then played in Paris on Tuesday so I was a bit tired, but for the others I have no excuse.

Q: What do you associate with the BNPPM?
A: I think of the stadium and the live music and the atmosphere which is great. I like Roland Garros with all the history but the BNPPM is more of a show, and I like that.

rf.com

Fena w DEUCE.

The People's Champion

Fernando Gonzalez's high-octane game is at odds with his down-to-earth, off-court demeanour. It's an unusual, but successful mix.

It's the debate of choice among Chile's growing legion of tennis fans: Who is the best Chilean player of all time: Marcelo Rios or Fernando Gonzalez? While that argument shows no sign of abating, there is no doubt that Gonzalez stands alone as the country's favourite tennis son.

"Once he started doing so well this year the debate started again," says Benjamin Witte, sports editor of the Santiago Times. "It is tough to beat Rios as he got to No. 1, but the people, the sports fans, really want Gonzalez up at the top."

Nicolas Pereira, former ATP player and current ESPN tennis commentator, knows why: "He (Gonzalez) is good to the public; he is hard working and very modest. The people can identify with him," Pereira says. "I think that Chileans are grateful to have a tennis star that is very down to earth. He is a great ambassador."

"Both Fernando and Marcelo have been great for Chilean tennis," says Chilean Patricio Apey, a former coach of Gonzalez's. "We are such a small country and to have two players like them can only help the younger generations."

    "Whoever said that tennis is not a contact sport has never stood in the line of fire of a Gonzalez forehand."

Ask almost anyone on the ATP World Tour about Fernando Gonzalez and the first thing they will mention is the quality of his character. The second thing that they reference is the quantity of his forehand.

"My impression of Gonzo was that he was very genuine. What you saw on and off court was the real guy," says Paul Settles, former ATP World Tour tour manager. "He had the respect of his peers in the locker room, and not just by the South Americans or Spanish speaking players. His appeal crossed international borders. And his forehand will remain one of the most feared weapons in modern day tennis."

Whoever said that tennis is not a contact sport has never stood in the line of fire of a Fernando Gonzalez forehand. It is a weapon that commands respect and demands that it be approached with extreme caution. Easily recognised by the mother of all backswings - a windmill wind-up that packs a heavy bullet load - it is considered one of the best forehands the game has ever seen. Armed with that lethal weapon, Gonzalez burst onto the scene back in 2000.

Gonzalez Fernando Gonzalez and coach Raul Viver are having dinner at the Olive Garden restaurant in Orlando, Florida. With an ATP ranking of 352, Gonzalez is sure that he will not get into the qualies of the US Clay Court Championships. Viver is now on the phone requesting a wild card.

"They told me that the wild cards are only for Americans," Viver remembers. "I told them that this kid is really good, he could actually win the tournament." Gonzalez must have been listening to his coach, because win it he did, all the way from the last player accepted into the qualifying rounds.

"In qualifying and getting to the final, Gonzo looked like he'd been there a hundred times before," says Settles. "But in the final, I remember Gonzo being very nervous before the match. Of course, after he had blasted a few ballistic forehands, he settled down and played nearly flawlessly. Just after the final, several of us were aware that we had witnessed something special; that this guy wasn't going to be some one-hit wonder.”

To date, Gonzalez has 12 ATP World Tour titles, three Olympic medals, dozens of Davis Cup match wins and, along the way, has inspired thousands of kids in Chile.

"He (Gonzalez) is a major superstar in South America and he handles it very well," says former coach Larry Stefanki. "Fernando is a very generous person with his time and charity work in Chile. He is extremely grounded as a person and loves spending time with under-privileged kids."

In 2007, when a powerful earthquake rocked the northern Chilean town of Tocopilla, more than 15,000 people were left homeless. In response, Gonzalez created the Tennis Cup for the Children of the Home of Christ, plus an exhibition with fellow professionals that raised money for the charity. He also makes a donation to the home after each match he wins on the ATP World Tour.

    "We had witnessed something special; this guy wasn't going to be some one-hit wonder."

Gonzalez is playing the best tennis of his career, and it could not have come at a better time. He is marching through the field at Roland Garros and today has a date in the semi-finals with Robin Soderling. While Wimbledon might be considered the most prestigious of tennis tournaments, for a Latino, Roland Garros is the crown jewel.

The shock is as sudden as it is surprising: Gonzalez is down two sets to love against Soderling. "Honestly, I was very surprised. Never did I think that he could be losing," says Martin Rodriguez, Gonzalez's coach. "He looked turned off, no reaction. Nada. After the second set I had little hope."

Then in typical Gonzalez style, he launched a furious comeback. Bold in his shot selection and relentless in his pursuit of victory, Gonzalez fought back to level the match at two sets all. Destiny seemed to be on his side when he went up a break, four games to one in the fifth. His life-long dream of playing for the Roland Garros title was about to come true.

Magnus Norman, Soderling's coach, was not ready to concede the match, even though everyone else in Court Philippe Chatrier had given up Soderling for dead.

Gonzalez, Paris 2009"I started shouting at Robin to attack his shots," Norman says. "To go for it." Soderling obeyed Norman's command. And it worked.

Soon after, Gonzalez is found hunched over in disbelief in the men's locker room. Still sweating and with red clay embedded in his shorts, socks and shoes, lingering proof of the tragic battle that he just lost. Did he stumble or was he stopped?

"I felt extremely disappointed for Fernando in his defeat to Soderling," says Stefanki. "I communicated to him that Soderling started going for winners and there was not much you can do about that type of high-risk tennis. It was a big moment for him but he will have more opportunities in the future."

"It was a grand deception," says Rodriguez. "It was painful for all of us, but nobody was more sad than Fernando. He felt that he could have gone further."

Gonzalez is eight years old and there is a television crew filming him playing tennis at La Reina Club in Santiago del Chile. "Early on my dad encouraged me and pushed me hard," says Gonzalez. "And together we worked very hard."

    "His appeal crossed international borders."

"I first saw Fernando play when he was eight years old," recalls former coach Apey. "I immediately saw a talent that, in my opinion, could take him to the top of the game one day. What he had in his hands was almost magical."

In addition to his talent, Gonzalez succeeds in large part due to his work ethic. "Each time I walk on the court for practice, I try to improve something," says Gonzalez. "One has to work, and my style demands that I have to have good fitness."

Gonzalez, StefankiWhatever the topic, almost all conversations about Gonzalez eventually lead to his forehand. So what makes it so special? "The moment I first hit with Fernando I could not believe how hard he hit his forehand," says former coach Viver. "The power and acceleration was really awesome, but we worked a lot on consistency and on opening angles and changing speeds and heights."

"Very early on he had a very big backswing, but his acceleration was fast enough to handle it," remembers Apey. "And after lots and lots of practise he really developed it into the weapon it is today."

"What makes Fernando special as a tennis player is his ability to hit his forehand offensively from anywhere on the tennis court," says Stefanki. "He has a top two or three forehand on tour and I think he has the best low forehand in the game. The forehand gets scary good. But his backhand is a good shot and not a weakness as people think. That is why he has stayed in the Top 10 for the past few years. I am a big Fernando fan and it is disappointing for him not to win a Slam yet. [He reached the 2007 Australian Open final, losing to Roger Federer.] I am proud to have coached him for two and a half years."

"I think he is a great example for every kid and not only Latinos," remarks Ramon Delgado of Paraguay. "Fernando has a great personality, good behavior on the court and is a great competitor."

Should Fernando Gonzalez never win another tennis match, all those who have come in contact with him over his career would forgive him. For them, Fernando Gonzalez the man will always be a winner.

http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/DEUCE- … zalez.aspx

Konferencja po III r. AO:

Q. Could you tell us how you won that tough five‑setter?

FERNANDO GONZÁLEZ: It's tough to explain 'cause he was hitting every single ball hard as he could. And I feel that I wasn't making too much damage with my shots.

I feel really uncomfortable almost all the match. My serve wasn't like I used to serve. But fortunately I took my chances and I won the match.

Q. Your thoughts on playing Andy Roddick next.

FERNANDO GONZÁLEZ: It's gonna be tough. I mean, for sure I have to play better if I want to beat him. I mean, I know that he won in four sets. I mean, he's playing a good level.

Q. Is it your serve that's stopping you from reaching your top?

FERNANDO GONZÁLEZ: Yeah, yeah, my serve. And today I wasn't that comfortable 'cause he was hitting the ball really hard. He take me out of position almost every time.

It was really hard for me to do the same with him. So that's why I didn't feel like I wish. But fortunately I took my chances in the fifth set and I break him, and that hold during the whole set.

Q. He said it was like playing in front of a soccer crowd today.

FERNANDO GONZÁLEZ: It was exciting to play in front of this crowd for me. Is a big support really far away from home. Just really excited.

Q. How is your knee? You iced it early on and seemed to be limping.

FERNANDO GONZÁLEZ: Yeah, I have the knee since long time ago. I mean, sometimes is painful, but it's only pain. I mean, I know that I have, but it's painful sometimes.

Today I didn't feel really, really well.

Q. Will it be feeling better in time for your next match?

FERNANDO GONZÁLEZ: Hopefully. I wish. I will try. I'm going to make everything to recover and try to play a good match.

ao.com

Gonzalez zagra w najbliższych spotkaniach PD, ale prawdopodobnie odpuści grę w IW, by pomóc przy organizacji pomocy dla poszkodowanych w trzęsieniu ziemi, jaki nawiedziło Chile.

Gonzalez focused on earthquake relief

Gonzalez focused on earthquake relief Fernando Gonzalez will play this weekend's Davis Cup tie against Israel, but his thoughts are with the earthquake victims in his native Chile. Gonzalez is even willing to miss the upcoming Indian Wells Masters for disaster relief.

Fernando Gonzalez, Chile's top-ranked player, posted a message on his website last Saturday following the devastating earthquake in his home country. "I have followed very closely the television and saw everything that happened," the world No. 10 wrote. "I am very concerned for the victims and their families due to this earthquake. Thank God my family is well and I feel a great relief

"It gives me great anguish to see everything that happened and really hurts to not be there. I am praying that the missing appear in good condition. Anything I can do to help rebuild my country, I will gladly do."

Gonzalez even said that he is willing to miss the upcoming Masters Series event in Indian Wells in order to stay in Chile and contribute to the recovery effort. Because Masters tournaments are required for players ranked as high as Gonzalez, however, the move would have to be approved by the ATP.

The first-round Davis Cup tie between Chile and Israel, meanwhile, has been pushed back a day and will begin on Saturday in Santiago. Gonzalez, who reached the Acapulco semifinals last week, arrived in Santiago on Tuesday via a flight on a Chilean Air Force plane. He is schedule to join the Chilean team today.

http://www.tennistalk.com/en/news/20100 … ake_relief

Gonzalez Visits Earthquake Survivors In Chile

Gonzalez visited a number of affected areas in his two-day visit.

As he announced during Chile's first-round Davis Cup tie against Israel, Fernando Gonzalez visited the area declared a catastrophe zone after the massive earthquake on February 27 that killed hundreds of people.

Last Thursday Gonzalez was at the O'Higgins region that endured a 7.2 magnitude earthquake, visiting Santa Cruz, Lolol, Peralillo and Pichilemu. Ranked No. 10 on the South African Airways 2010 ATP Rankings, Gonzalez traveled with Benito Baranda, director of Hogar de Cristo, the most important charity organisation in Chile.

Watch Fernando's Appeal For Donations

During his visit, Gonzalez posted on Twitter: "The people are very strong even though they've lost everything, and they are optimistic. I wish every one of us would have this fighting spirit to get through this moment and move forward."

On Friday Gonzalez visited Biobio's region. Gonzo visited a fishing village called El Morro, near Talcahuano, the most important military port in Chile which was devastated by the both the earthquake and subsequent tsunami on February 27. The Olympic gold medalist played a tennis exhibition with kids of the area.

"Thank God and the experience of the people who live here that nobody died," said Gonzalez. "El Morro doesn't exist anymore but the people are happy, they want to move forward and my visit with Benito and Hogar de Cristo is for them to know they are not alone."

Talcahuano's mayor, Gaston Saavedra, thanked Gonzalez for his visit: "A national figure as Fernando Gonzalez helps people to clear their mind a little, especially the ones that have lost everything. The permanent alert because of the tremors and the tsunami alert frightened everyone. This is a contribution for the people so they can move on."

http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis … Chile.aspx

Australijczyk Darren Cahill nowym trenerem Fernanda.

The ‘Bomber of La Reina’ chose australian Darren Cahill as his new coach, and they will begin to work in the preview week of Roland Garros.

Hi friends,

I want to announce that I will begin to work with australian Darren Cahill, a coach that got a lot of results with Agassi and Hewitt at their best moments and in different years. It won’t be full time because of his obligations but I trust he will help my agresive tennis with the best tactical moves of the australian school.

Currently I’m in Chile working with pysichal trainer Ricardo Luna, that is a member of the chilean Davis Cup team.

Thanks for your support and visiting the web site,

http://www.gonzaleztenis.com/v2.0/?p=1500&lang=en

Gonzalez Ready To Return Stronger

On 27 February 2010, many Chileans were present as Fernando Gonzalez suffered a dramatic three-set loss to David Ferrer in the semi-finals of the Abierto Mexicano Telcel in Acapulco. An hour after the match, in Chile, there was an 8.8 magnitude earthquake and a subsequent tsunami that claimed the lives of almost a thousand people and destroyed cities.

Santiago native Gonzalez couldn't believe the apocalyptic images he saw on the television. For that reason he cancelled his participation at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells and took a flight back to visit the damaged areas and send a heartfelt message to the victims of the disaster.

Following the natural disaster, Gonzalez was then hit by another problem - tendinitis in both knees that has furthered impeded his 2010 season.

"There are good and bad moments. Some way or another I haven't felt good on court. The feeling is very important and the past weeks it hasn't been like I wanted it, but I have no doubt it will go back to the way I've always liked it to be", said an optimistic Gonzalez, who will recover back home in Santiago while he waits for the doctor's advice. He has already withdrawn from Wimbledon and he could yet miss the Davis Cup quarter-final tie against Czech Republic if he his recovery takes two months.

What made the tendinitis so bad?
I had calcification in both knees. When one hurts you try to compensate with the other. With good work, rest and rehab I will be better.

Some time ago you said that you learned to live with the pain.
I've had it since the 2002 Australian Open...

So you have dealt with it almost for your whole career?
It's been coming and going. I've had good and bad moments. I had a very bad moment in 2003, after that I could recover well but last year at Wimbledon it started all over again and hasn't stopped since then.

After the defeat in the Roland Garros second round, you will lose important points at the South African Airways 2010 ATP Rankings. How will you deal with that?
I prefer to have a bad ranking and be healthy, rather than get to a ranking that would be tough to maintain without being in optimum physical condition.

With your absence at Wimbledon you will bring to an end a run of 35 successive Grand Slam appearances.
Some time ago I realised I have played all the Grand Slams since 2002. I thought about how good it was and I was lucky not to be injured. No I'll have to miss one. I hope it's the only one so I can play a lot more.

Next month you will turn 30, you suffer a chronic injury, but you told your Twitter fans that you're not thinking about retirement.
Twitter has been very helpful; it's my main source for keeping in touch with people. Sometimes the media needs to sell more so they publish information about a possible retirement. But that wasn't true. Retirement is not in my head. I still have a lot of goals on my career and I have fun playing. I can't imagine my life without competitive tennis. Retirement is not an issue. They published that without asking me so that bothered me. Thank God there's Twitter so I could tell people that wasn't true.

Twitter and your official web site have become a habit now that you have more free time.
Social networking is very important. People want and need communication. Everyone is connected by their mobile phones, chat and social networks. Tennis fans feel closer because of that. When you're constantly talking about what's going on, what you think, people like that. It's a spontaneous communication.

How long will your recovery take?
The first thing is to feel better, recover from the injuries. The rest will come by itself. I can't make the mistake of playing 25 tournaments. I've always played few tournaments. The important thing is to take it easy and take my rest time seriously; that has always been important in my career.

What's the positive side of being without competition?
The positive thing is that I will have a lot of energy when I come back. I will appreciate more what I have achieved in this sport. When you're out you feel the passion for the game more. I've also done some things that I miss. That gives you energy to keep on playing.

http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis … onger.aspx

Fena wraca do gry!

Fernando Gonzalez zagra w New haven. Chilijczyk otrzymał od organizatorów dziką kartę. Finalista Ao 2007 opuścił środek sezonu z powodu kontuzji kolana. Nie zagrał po Roland Garros w żadnym turnieju. Pierwotnie powrót miał nastąpić w Toronto, ale tuż przed turniejem Gonzalez oświadczył, że z Jego kolanem nie jest na 100% ok.

Turniej w New Haven to ostatnie przetarcie przed rozpoczynającym się w przyszły poniedziałek US Open.