Roger Federer was a 'bad tennis player' growing up according to Chilean contemporary Fernando Gonzalez
ATP
Former
world No. 5 Fernando Gonzalez claimed that Roger Federer was a "bad tennis
player" in his younger years.
The former
Chilean tennis player competed against the 20-time Grand Slam champion
throughout his career and got to know him from their junior days when,
according to Gonzalez, Federer had not yet reached his peak.
Gonzalez,
born in 1980, was a year ahead of Federer in their junior careers. In an
interview with TNT Sports, Gonzalez recalled the time when he first met Federer
and stated, "Roger Federer was a bad tennis player."
“I’ve known
Roger since I was 12, 13 years old, and at that age he was bad. I remember in
an U-14 tournament, when I was the best in the world in that category, Federer
was definitely not one of the good ones,” 3-times Olympic medalist said.
“Besides,
he was a year younger, which at that age is very noticeable. He approached me
and asked me questions. I got on very well with him and we went everywhere
together”, he added.
Gonzalez
and Federer faced each other 13 times during their careers, with Federer
winning 12 of those matches and Gonzalez winning only one, which took place
during the round-robin stage of the 2007 Masters Cup at China.
Both
contemporaries also competed in a Grand Slam final at the 2007 Australian Open,
where Federer emerged victorious, securing his 10th Grand Slam title.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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