Pancho Gonzales
Ricardo Alonso "Pancho" González (May 9, 1928 – July 3, 1995), known sometimes as Richard Gonzales, was an American tennis player. He won 14 major singles titles (12 Pro Slam events, 2 Grand Slam events).
 Gonzales practicing in Australia in 1954 | |
| Full name | Ricardo Alonso González |
|---|---|
| Country (sports) |  United States |
| Born | May 9, 1928 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Died | July 3, 1995 (aged 67) Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. |
| Height | 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) |
| Turned pro | 1949 |
| Retired | 1974 |
| Plays | Right-handed (one-handed backhand) |
| Int. Tennis HoF | 1968 (member page) |
| Singles | |
| Career record | 1250–561 (69.05%)[1] |
| Career titles | 111[1] |
| Highest ranking | No. 1 (1952, Tennis Hall of Fame) |
| Grand Slam Singles results | |
| Australian Open | 3R (1969) |
| French Open | SF (1949, 1968) |
| Wimbledon | 4R (1949, 1969) |
| US Open | W (1948, 1949) |
| Other tournaments | |
| TOC | W (1957, 1958 Forest Hills, 1959 Sydney) |
| Professional majors | |
| US Pro | W (1953, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1961) |
| Wembley Pro | W (1950, 1951, 1952, 1956) |
| French Pro | F (1956, 1961) |
| Doubles | |
| Career record | 43–30 |
| Grand Slam Doubles results | |
| French Open | W (1949) |
| Wimbledon | W (1949) |
| Grand Slam Mixed Doubles results | |
| Wimbledon | QF (1968) |
Gonzales was the world's leading professional player at a time when almost all players were amateur. His peak was from about 1952 to about 1958. He won many professional and open titles. He was always a serve-and-volley player at a time when many amateurs played a baseline game.
When he first turned professional, the reigning top man was Jack Kramer. At first, Kramer crushed him. Gonzales semi-retired in 1950/51. When he came back in late 1951, Gonzales was much improved. He reached the top in 1952, winning the professional hard-court title in Los Angeles.
The Tennis Hall of Fame says Gonzales rose to the rank of number one in 1952.[2]
References change
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Pancho Gonzales: Career match record". thetennisbase.com. Tennis Base. Retrieved 3 November 2017.
- ↑ "Tennis Hall of Fame bio". Retrieved 21 April 2020.
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