Fernando Gonzalez to play his last tournament in Miami – Tennis News
Former World Number five, Fernando Gonzalez of Chile has received a wildcard entry into the Sony Ericsson Open, starting from the middle of March.
He was amongst one of the three big names that were announced to be a part of the tournament taking place in Miami. The other two includes the likes of seven-time Grand Slam Champion Venus Williams and former World Number three, David Nalbandian.
Gonzalez was excited to hear the announcement and proclaimed to the media representatives, “I am very excited to play the Sony Ericsson Open this year. Miami has a lot of special meaning to me; it is one of my favourite tournaments. As a child I was a huge
fan and I used to love to come and watch the players compete. I chose Miami as my last tournament to play before I retire because I love the atmosphere the Chilean and Latin American fans create when I play. It is something truly special that I will always
hold dear to me.”
The Chilean tennis ace has won 11 Association of Tennis Professional (ATP) World Tour Titles since his shining debut to professional tennis circuit in 1999. Five years ago, in 2007; Gonzalez was amongst the Top-10 players of the world, ranked as World Number
five. He made it to the final of the Australian Open in 2007; defeating the Spanish number one, Rafael Nadal, and former World Number one, Lleyton Hewitt, on his way.
He has not won the Sony Ericsson Open in his entire professional career. It might be his lucky chance to win the one of the missing titles at the age of 31 in Miami. This year he has played in the VTR Open and Brasil Open losing in the second and first round
respectively. At the moment he is playing in Copa Claro as a wildcard entrant winning the first two rounds of the tournament.
Gonzalez is going to retire after playing in Miami so there is no better feeling than saying goodbye to professional tennis with a title. It will be a tough task but nothing is impossible in this world.
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