Interview with Fernando (Emol)

 [Translation later...]

González: “Hans sabe lo que es jugar un CopaDavis”

SANTIAGO.- Con un dejo de modorra habitual en quien viene saliendo de sus vacaciones, Fernando González se presentó ayer ante su preparador físico, Carlos Burgos, para iniciar el ciclo de acondicionamiento físico que lo fortalecerá para un año 2008 que se anuncia extenuante.

Justo antes de una temporada que comenzará en el Kooyong Classic de Australia, González accedió a hacer un balance con EMOL de lo que vivió en 2007, de las lecciones que se pueden aplicar en 2008 y de sus deseos para la temporada que viene.

- Leí que Larry Stefanki decía que la receta para 2008 era que usted alargara sus tiempos de buen tenis y acortara los malos. ¿Cómo se logra eso?
“Creo que el calendario juega un papel súper importante en ese sentido, me pasó que estaba jugando mal y por calendario tenía que seguir jugando, pero la manera de planificarlo y las ganas que tú tienes en ese minuto juegan un papel súper importante.

- Decía también que a si usted abusó del slice en buena parte del año es porque aún no encuentra el equilibrio entre cortar el revés y pegarle…
“Uno se atreve a veces un poco más, otras menos… pero siempre he sido un jugador que se atreve y va para adelante. Cuando empecé a encontrar que con el slice ganaba muchos partidos, y aunque no jugaba tan bien seguía ganando, hubo momentos en que no me sentía tan bien y ahí quizás fue donde abusé. Obviamente el ideal es encontrar la combinación perfecta, porque tampoco me serviría pegarle todo el tiempo.

- ¿Ganó recursos para usar en la cancha?
“Crecí como jugador y lo que más contento me tiene es que puedo mejorar todavía más.

- Ahora en frío, después de varios meses, qué se hizo mal en Copa Davis que Chile terminó fuera del Grupo Mundial?
“No cabe ninguna duda de que fue un año malo. Obviamente los jugadores queríamos ganar y no se pudo. Creo que lo peor fue con Rusia, que era una serie súper cerrada desde el comienzo y tuvimos la oportunidad de revetir, pero igual fallamos, eso fue lo que más nos dolió. Después sumado a lo de Israel que nos hizo bajar de grupo, eso fue muy malo, nos dolió en el alma, pero no pudimos hacer nada más.

- ¿Y qué crees que se puede hacer mejor para no volver a tener un año como este en Copa Davis?
“La verdad es que no lo sé. En mi caso personal, antes de Israel no había ganado ni un partido y necesita levantar mi nivel. Fui a China, gané el torneo y era lo mejor que me podía pasar. Es cierto que llegué un poco cansado, pero llegué jugando un buen tenis. Lo mismo con Viña, la gente decía que no tenía que jugar, pero necesitaba jugar en arcilla, adaptarme a la cancha lenta, que era un cambio bien grande. Cuando los resultados van mal la gente critica, pero muchas veces me fue mal haciendo las cosas bien también”.

- ¿Hubo partidos mal planificados, especialmente contra Rusia. Esa es la crítica concreta que se le hizo a Hans Gildemeister?
“Con el entrenador que mejores resultados he tenido es con Larry (Stefanki). Y nunca él me ha dicho juega así. Él me advierte sobre las fortalezas del rival, me dice lo que cree que yo debería hacer contra él, después digo yo lo que creo y finalmente entro a la cancha con una charla muy buena de lo que los dos pensamos. Eso es súper importante porque el tenis se ve bien de afuera, pero se siente de adentro, entonces hay que tener una combinación bien buena. Hans tuvo muchos años como jugador y sabe lo que es jugar una Copa Davis.

- ¿Entonces te sientes respaldado por alguien como Gildemeister en la silla de capitán?
“Yo me siento bien… el día que me sienta mal lo haré saber”.

- José Hinzpeter pretende regular que la semana anterior a Copa Davis ustedes no jueguen para que lleguen en mejores condiciones.
“A mí no me han dicho nada. Soy un profesional, tengo compromisos y necesito jugar para subir mi nivel, para mantenerme. Jugar partidos es lo que mejor te hace para llegar de una mejor manera a un compromiso importante.

- Respecto de 2008, tras Federer hay un grupo de jugadores muy parejos, en el que estás tú. ¿Te abre el apetito saber que podrías ganarle a todos ellos?
“Si, seguro, pero también hay que entender que entre el número 2 y hasta el 15 o 20, hay un grupo de jugadores muy parejos que también te pueden ganar a ti, la competencia está cada día más alta y eso hace que este deporte sea cada vez más entretenido”.

- El año pasado dijiste que querías crecer como jugador y llegar al Masters, ¿qué dices este año?
“Lo mismo, porque me resultó bien, jajaja… Cuando uno se pone muchos números en la cabeza no haces más que confundirte. Más que ganar una serie de partidos a mi me preocupan cosas como pegarle bien a la derecha o llegar bien físicamente, que lo otro va llegando solo”.

This week : Shanghai (Part 2)

[Tournament website]

[Photo Gallery updated :: 2106 Pictures] 

17.11 - Russian Nikolay Davydenko avoided a 0-3 rout at Tennis Masters Cup when he defeated Fernando Gonzalez 6-4, 6-3 Friday to claim his first win of the 2007 circuit finale. The result sent the Chilean tumbling out of semifinal contention and guaranteed that Roger Federer would reach the last four, regardless of the outcome of his group match with Andy Roddick.

For Gonzalez, the Masters Cup brought mixed fortunes. He broke a career 10-match losing streak against Federer in his first match of the round-robin stage, but that performance may have taken more out of the Chilean than was first thought. He failed to win a set in his following two matches against Andy Roddick and Davydenko.

But Gonzalez still enjoyed the best year of his career, bookended by his first Grand Slam final at the Australian Open and his first appearance at the circuit finale, after which he will finish a career-best year-end No.7 in the South African Airways ATP Rankings.

Gonzalez said: “For me always is tough to play against Davydenko. He play really fast and both sides are really good, have really good return. But today I give my best, and I think wasn’t enough.

“I was really excited because I still having chances to go to the semis, but it was really tough. I didn’t feel like on the first day.”

* Here, you can download (pdf), the written interviews with Fernando during the Masters Cup, enjoy !!

[Match vs Federer.pdf] [Match vs Roddick.pdf] [Match vs Davydenko.pdf]

[To download - Video interview - english]

[To download - Video interview - spanish]

[To download - Highlights]

[From gonzaleztenis.com - Translation by the webmaster]

Hello friends,

I ended my participation in the Masters of Shanghai. Today, was not a good day, but I leave in peace. I think I played a good tennis this week. I gave everything and unfortunately it was not enough to arrive much further.

Today, the match against Davydenko, was a very tough match. The first set was hard and lasted more than 1 hour, and all the points were played. He’s a great player from the bottom of the court, with regular strokes. At the end, I lost, but I gave everything on the court.

Now, comes a very good rest, after a good year, and to get strengh for the events to come, and I hope that it will better than it was. Thanks to everyone for your messages of support and good luck to the chilean national team in Montevideo.

Fernando

16.11 - Here is a brief guide to who needs to what and to whom in order to reach the semi finals. If Nikolay Davydenko (who cannot qualify whatever happens) beats Fernando Gonzalez, then Roger Federer goes through to the last four. If Gonzalez beats Davydenko and Federer beats Andy Roddick (who has already qualified), Gonzalez is out and Federer is through. In order to qualify, Gonzalez needs to beat Davydenko and hope against hope that Roddick beats Federer. Right, that’s the singles sorted out.

Friday, November 16, 2007

CENTER COURT start 3:00 pm
M Knowles (BAH) / D Nestor (CAN) vs L Dlouhy (CZE) / P Vizner (CZE)

Not Before 5:00 PM
N Davydenko (RUS) vs F Gonzalez (CHI)

Not Before 7:30 PM
R Federer (SUI) vs A Roddick (USA)
S Aspelin (SWE) / J Knowle (AUT) vs A Clement (FRA) / M Llodra (FRA)

This week : Paris

[Tournament website]

[Main draw singles]

[Main draw doubles]

[Photo Gallery updated :: 2012 Pictures]

Video : 1st double match, the first game

Video : Match point first double match

[highlights of the match - To download]

Warm up against Youzhny

Video : Second double match

[Interview to download - Oct. 28th ]

02.11 - I have updated the blog. A lot of personal pictures and official pictures, so now the gallery has more than 2000 pictures. Also, videos have been added. Regarding Fernando in Shanghai, he has one foot in, now, we have to support Rafa Nadal against Youzhny. It’s a bit stressy but I’m sure Rafael will make a good job. It would be so great to see Feña in Shanghai, he deserves to be there, and he’s great for the game, always exciting to watch, playing with his heart.

31.10 - Full update will be made tomorrow evening, with videos, photos, reports. I just wanted to thank Fernando for his double match today. Thanks for fighting, you made me happy today You’ll always have my support in the good and in the bad moments !! You’ll go to Shanghai, I’m convinced !!

Fernando’s reaction after his defeat vs Youzhny (30.10)

[From la Tercera.cl, translation by the webmaster]

“Before knowing if I’d go to the Masters Cup, I’ll have to wait until the defeats of some players. And, there are a lot. I don’t know, tomorrow, I’ll play doubles. I’ll try to win some matches in the doubles and I’ll wait because there’s nothing I can do at the moment”

“The level is very competitive. There are a lot of players who have the possibility to go to Shanghai, whereas there’s still one tournament to play, and this is very good”.

“Today, I played a good match, but it was not enough. Youzhny played a good match as well. I served well until the half of the second set, then, I lost the rythm, and Youzhny took the control”.

“The balance is positive because I’m number 7 in the ranking of the year. I don’t think a lot of the tournaments where I lost in the first round, I took it positively”

30.10- Feña González vs M. Youzhny, Center Court, 4th match of the day. Head to Head 3-0 for Feña Buena suerte !! Only one victory to go to Shanghai !!! We’ll support you !!!

29.10- I saw Fernando’s first double match this afternoon. It was great to see him play doubles, he was always smiling during the match. If you have never seen Fernando play, please for your first time, watch him play in the doubles, that’s how I discovered him, he was playing doubles with Roddick in Paris-Bercy (2002). the good news of the evening is that Fernando and Willy Cañas defeated the french pair Benetteau/Mahut in straights sets 6/4 6/2. The first set was tough but they won easily the second. It’s a good practrice for tomorrow. I don’t understand how both can play tomorrow afternoon, they have finished their match at 8 pm !! Personal pictures from the match are available in the photo gallery, if you want to use them for your personal website/blogs/fotologs, please mention my blog
I’ll be at Fernando’s match tomorrow, don’t forget to check the blog. A video from today will follow

28.10 - I saw Fernando this afternoon going to the practrice. I didn’t talk to him but I was happy to see him. Tomorrow, he’ll play his first double match on the court 1. I bought my ticket and I’ll be there. The match is scheduled at 5pm. I’ll post pictures, videos and report when I’ll be back at home. Vamos Campeón !!

27.10 - The french organisers changed the draw and swapped Robredo and Fernando, so Fernando will now face in the second round, the French Clement or Youzhny, it’s more complicated than the other draw I think Fernando will need to win that match and counts maybe on the losses of his direct opponents. I really hope he won’t face Clement because of the French crowd. I’ll be again the only one in the crowd to support Fernando lol and I remember last year. The head to head with Clement is 3-3, last meeting was in Metz in 2003, so Fernando wasn’t the top 10 player he is now. And, with Youzhny, Fernando leads 3-0, last meeting, was in 2006 in Rome, but on hard court, they only met once. Fernando is in the main doubles draw, he’s playing with Willy Cañas again and they’ll face in the first round the french pair Mahut/Benneteau. Good luck to Feña and Willy !!!

26.10 – The BNP Parisbas masters’ draw is now available. Fernando is the seed number 7, has a “bye” in the first round and will face in the second round, the winner of the match Simon/Storace. Fernando has never won a match in Paris, so I hope this year, he’ll break the Bercy curse. He can do it, we’ll be there to support him !! He deserves to go to Shanghai !! He’s a fighter !!!

I’ll go to Bercy this week, so I’ll try to post a report when it will be possible with pictures. Don’t forget to check the blog often !!

VAMOS FERNANDO !!!

Interview in La Tercera

During his week off, Fernando gave an interview to the Chilean newspaper “La Tercera”.

[Translation by the webmaster]

Fernando González took advantage of his last days off to have a rest. Even if he didn’t touch his racket and thought to do it this week to start to prepare the last 4 tournaments of the season, crucial for his qualification for the Masters Cup, in Shanghai. The recently defeat against Israel which lead Chile to the Zone 1 South America, used to be part of the past. Nevertheless, there always remain traces of this defeat which is defined as “a bad year for us in Davis Cup”.

At the start of the season, it seemed obvious that you could do something important in this 2007 Davis Cup, with a favorable draw thinking that the final could be played at home ?

It was a bad year, no doubt. In this competition, you have opportunities, and we didn’t take advantage of them. You lose and you don’t have more chances until next year. The losses cost a lot.

Who is responsible ? The loss which lead to the relegation ?

The responsabilities are individuals. I lost matches that I shouldn’t have lost and this cost us a lot. Because the group and the team are working well. Hans is doing his job well, and the players, are the ones who enter on the court

As you are concerned, you didn’t win against Igor Andreev, in the match against Russia, in La Serena, and against Dudi Sela, in Israel ?

This shows that in tennis, as in the other sports, the favourite is still on the paper and in the statistics. And, those who are not favourites on the court, with a lot of desire, it’s a great opportunity they have. We, had a lot of desire to stay in the world group, more than anyone, but it didn’t work.

 

The difficulties in 2007

It took two years to Fernando González to qualify for the Masters Cup at the end of the year. In 2005, after the withdrawals of several players, he participated as a substitute and played two matches. Last year, he was close to qualify directly, he was a substitute but decided to not participate.

This year, thanks to his finals in Australia and in Roma, he’s very close to qualify and the last 4 tournaments (Vienna, Madrid, Basel and Paris) are crucial to reach one of the 5 spots for which there are 12 pretenders.

 

González will go on Thursday on the road of the indoor tournaments. It’s the same tournaments each year. It’s played under a low roof, in indoors. But, we can play tennis very well, but there are no external factors which bother you. As I am concerned, I have always played well (last year, he made the final in Vienna, Madrid and Basel), so I have a lot of confidence, moreover, I play the qualification for the Masters Cup, which i desire the most”

Today, you can qualify for the Masters Cup, nevertheless, the irregularity of the year 2007 could count a lot ?

It’s sure but as Larry said “all you have done, you have done and now, you have new things to do”. Today, the fight to go to Shanghai is entertaining and there are a lot of players who are fighting for the 5 remaining spots.

You had two good years : in 2006, you have been more regular but it didn’t continue in 2007, with the taste to reach a grand slam final. Which season will you choose ?

It’s different. But, to arrive in a grand slam final has been one of my best experiences. I had a tough year, because since Australia, everything changed. Today, everybody expect me to win even during the practrices. I’m happy with that success and I hope to live other good moments.

 

The player from Santiago, has the aim to help the youngs when he retires

After the defeat against Israel, people thought about the renew of the chilean tennis

Do we have to be so pessimistic ?

Everybody is talking about immediate results. I don’t know all the youngs but I know that some are playing well. I don’t know the results we had (Chino Rios, Nico Massu and me) at the same age, and for that reason, we think that there are no renew.

People said that similar years of 1980 could be repeated, when Chile lost in the zone 2

It’s an irresponsability for the youngs to be a tennis player. There are a lot of players who are maybe limited, who maybe need time to explode

What do you think you can do to avoid this hole that everybody is talking about ?

I’d like to help in any manner. To not transmit my experience to other youngs would be egoist

Would you like to create an academy, for example ?

I don’t know, but with a group of youngs, why not an academy. I want to contribute within the limit that I can

 

 

 

González in the Maxim (spanish) magazine

[From the webmaster]

If you buy the mag Maxim, could you please scan the 4 pages about Fernando. I can’t find them on the net at the moment or if you have a link of the mag, please post it. Thank you  

[From ATP Tour website]
Fernando González en Maxim en español

© Getty Images
Fernando González es uno de los protagonistas de la edición de septiembre de la revista “Maxim en Español”, que circula por toda latinoamérica y que tiene más de un millón de lectores en todo el continente.

El chileno, actual No. 7 de Ránking ATP South African Airways, ocupa cuatro páginas de dicha publicación, en la que se refiere a variados temas, tanto deportivos como d su vida privada. En el reportaje además se contempla a los argentinos Guillermo Cañas, Juan Ignacio Chela, David Nalbandian, Agustín Calleri, Juan Mónaco y José Acasuso como seis de los jugadores latinoamericanos con mayor proyección.

González confiesa que Boris Becker fue su ídolo de la niñez: “No tengo el mismo juego que él, pero siempre lo admiré mucho. Es un tipo muy carismático y muy entretenido de mirar. Eso es súper importante. Y también me gustaban mucho Pete Sampras y Andre Agassi“.

Sobre las rivalidad actuales en el circuito, explica que “es bastante difícil llegar al No. 1 porque está Roger Federer, que tiene mucha ventaja. Y después sigue Rafael Nadal; así que está complicado. Pero uno siempre tiene la ilusión de seguir mejorando. Y creo que en esto uno nunca deja de ser niño, porque sigues soñando”.

Cuando le preguntan por la receta para pegarle tan fuerte con el derecho, González explica que “hay que usar todo el cuerpo, desde las piernas hasta la aceleración de la mano. Va todo en conjunto. Si algo te falta no le puedes pegar tan bien a la pelota”.

Interview during the Pacific Life Open

Press conference during the Pacific Life Open

[To download it]

Some screen captures (more in the Photo Gallery)

[Photo Gallery updated :: 1772 pictures]

Interview with Fernando (Terra.cl)

[Interview with Fernando, Terra.cl]

[Translation by the webmaster]

Fernando González
“I’d like to be a father, but it would be irresponsible today with the life I have”

From Nelson González V.

SANTIAGO, July 17th- He’s one of the most respectful players on the tour and for the last semester of the year, Fernando González has as a main goal to qualify directly for the Masters Cup in China.

He recognises that some of his defaults are to be “very disordered and to not be on time” and one of the good anecdotes he remembers was when he lost himself in London when he was young.

The best chilean tennis player, today, gave an interview to Terra.cl

1. – Do you know that one of the important event in the history of the Chilean television has been the win of the gold medals in Athens?

FG : It is one of the most important memories of my career. It was unforgettable, still more with the welcome people gave us. It has been the greatest moment of my career, until now.

2. – Is it true that your father prefered to offer you more articles of tennis than soccer, your other passion?

FG : Yes, in Christmas I always received gifts more related to this last sport. Soccer delights me, but since we changed to a house that is next to a tennis club, I happened to be there. I also had to be good in school, because my mother threatened me because if I did not have good notes, there would not be more tennis. But I was an average student.

3- Do you read what it is written about you after each match ?

- No. When I go on the internet, I look the headlines and the photos. If I lose I know very clearly why. I have a real respect to those who write, but I avoid to read what they write.

4- Let’s talk about the strokes and the charismas of the players on the ATP Tour. For example, who has the best forehand ?

- The best forehand, I believe that I have it

- The best service was to Pete Sampras and at the moment, Andy Roddick.

- The best backhand… I believe that the one of Andre Agassi and the one of (David) Nalbandian.

- The player who gives everything on court is Rafael Nadal.

- The nicest, I think it is Roddick, on the court, like an opponent, he is a great competitor and if he loses, he recognizes much to his opponent.

- The most petty ?… can be Lleyton Hewitt

5. – What would you change in the rules of the ATP ?

- The obligation to play 18 tournaments, is enough. The antidoping control system is another subject. About the way it is, it’s not good, you’ve just finished a match and immediately, you have to go to the antidoping control, they don’t let you enjoy the triumph or recover after the defeat.

6. – The “Bichi” Fuertes said in this same section that in Chile, they don’t respect the sports idols, do you agree with him ?

- Look, people carry much importance to what it is said on the radio, on the television or on what it is written. The same, about Marcelo Rios, he showed more things to people outside tennis. All the things he won, started to be on the side, and that is no good. I don’t give time to the tabloids, they are not interested by me and I don’t speak about my private life. As a chilean, we are negative and remembered the bad, not good to know what the sportsman has done.

7. – What do you want to do once you left tennis ?

- I want to continue this activity, it is my passion. Perhaps, I won’t be immediately a coach and travel on tour but working with the boys between 14 and 18 years, it’s when they learn more. I can have an academy, perhaps… I also like the television, I liked a lot the program I have done during the year. But, that’s the way life goes…

8. – Which is the gift that you remember the most from your admirers ?

- In the last DC tie in La Serena, they gave to Nicolas and me , a pretty nice flag with our faces, very pretty. I always keep the souvenirs and gifts I receive

9. – And the best anecdote in your career ?

- Oh, there are several, but when I lost myself in London. I was 16 years old, and I was lost, I have been walking for about 3 hours, and to take a taxi is not cheap there. In addition, at that age, the money was necessary so I had to take care of it LOL But, the best anecdotes are when you are young playing around the world.

10. – To seduce ? Flowers, chocolates or preparing a good dinner ?

- That is mine LOL , the only person who will know it, will be the one whom I’ll prepare it

11. – Would you like to be father and that your son join you to see you play ?

- I would like to, but it is difficult with the rythm of the life of a professional player. It would be something irresponsible from me, but it would be great for my son to see me on court.

The full interview is available on Terra.cl website but it seems that outside Chile we don’t have any access, so if someone could upload the full video on you tube, would be nice, gracias

González interview

[González's interview to download]

Some screen captures (the next ones, please check the photo gallery)

[Photo Gallery updated :: 1739 pictures]

Fernando back in Chile : interview

[To download the short interview] (32 secs)

Fernando is back in Chile. He gave a press conference where he arrived in Santiago. He’ll spend a couple of days in Santiago (until thursday), then, he’ll fly to San Diego to practrice with his coach, L. Stefanki, and then, he’ll take part to the tournament of Los Angeles, on hard, starting on July 16th.

What Fernando said in his press conference :

“What I want more, it’s to participate to the Masters Cup. It’s my goal but the rest for me has been to feel better and to enter on a tennis court and to leave the court with the feeling that I am improving. Perhaps it gave a new fervour to my carreer, one year back”

In La Tercera, Fernando defended the tournament of Wimbledon, he doesn’t share the same point of view of the player from Argentina, David Nalbandian.

Fernando said that “it’s the most traditional tournament on the ATP Tour and the organizers don’t have any incidence on the rain. It’s obvious that the interruptions bother but nothing can be done”.

About his result :

“It wasn’t absolutely a pleasure. I was calm because I prepared but it’s the grand slam where I arrived with a lot of hope”, he explained, after remembering that in RG, he played badly on clay.

Wimbledon : interview with Fernando

[Tournament website]

[Main draw]

[To download the interview]

[Photo Gallery updated : total 1702 Pictures]

F. Gonzalez – 29 June
Friday, 29 June, 2007
Janko Tipsarevic (SRB) beat Fernando Gonzalez (CHI) 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, 4-6 8-6

Q. You were very close to winning that match today. What happened?

FERNANDO GONZALEZ: Yeah, it was really tough conditions today. I never felt one game comfortable on the court because it was like the wrong wind, you know? I know IT is same thing for both players, but for my game, I couldn’t, like, loosen up, you know? I was really tight, and when I was serving for the match, I didn’t want to play the point because it was like tough conditions, and I knew that he was no pressure on that time of the match. I’m really disappointed with this match today.

Q. You two played each other at Queen’s not long ago and you won that match?

FERNANDO GONZALEZ: Yeah, I won with the match point. I know it’s going to be a tough match. Janko plays really good on grass and he was serving really big at the end of the match.

Q. What do you think the difference is between when you last played him and today?

FERNANDO GONZALEZ: I didn’t play my best today, but I kept fighting until the end. It was really close, one match point, serve for the match, and that’s enough opportunities to win the match.

Q. Tipsarevic is sort of rising very fast on the tour. Do you think this is a bit of a breakthrough for him?

FERNANDO GONZALEZ: He’s a good player. If you’re good, you’re good; you’re going to win everywhere, or anywhere. It’s time. The only thing that you need is time. He really played a good match today.

Q. I thought your serve was one of the best things that makes you win, basically. I thought you were going to rely on that serve quite a lot because most of your serves got you points. What happened?

FERNANDO GONZALEZ: It was tough. I had an early break. I mean, I give away the first set. And then I served for the match. But the rest of the match I think I served really good. But unfortunately you need to close that kind of I mean, in that moment I didn’t close the match on the 5 3 and then I had a match point and I missed. I missed an easy ball. I mean, that’s you cannot do that kind of errors here.

Q. Can I ask you what strings you use?

FERNANDO GONZALEZ: What strings? For grass I use kind of synthetic and gut, half and half.

Q. Synthetic in the mains and guts in the cross?

FERNANDO GONZALEZ: Yeah.

Q. What type of synthetic?

FERNANDO GONZALEZ: Babolat.

Q. Why? What do you look for in that combination?

FERNANDO GONZALEZ: Because here on grass, the ball is heavy, heavier than the other places. The ball is getting bigger and the ball absorbs the humidity of the court, and when the ball bounces, it’s coming like with more weight.

Q. Do you use a different combination on other surfaces?

FERNANDO GONZALEZ: Just synthetic on the rest.

Q. So you only use gut for grass?

FERNANDO GONZALEZ: Yes.