16215 ITF Wheelchair Tennis Masters Program Book.Indd
PLAYER PROFILES MEN GUSTAVO FERNANDEZ (ARG) BIRTHDATE: January 20, 1994 BIRTHPLACE: Rio Tercero, Argentina RESIDENCE: Rio Tercero, Argentina PLAYS: Right-handed SPONSORS: Yonex, Invacare, Enard, Batex, Hardem Gustavo Fernandez finished 2017 as the No. 1 ranked wheelchair tennis player in the world and was named the 2017 ITF World Champion in the men’s division. He is seeking his first NEC Wheelchair Tennis Masters crown. In 2018, he has captured the Open de France and Rome titles. Fernandez turned pro in 2008 and had his first major breakthrough in 2011, when he won the singles gold at the Parapan Am Games in Guadalajara, Mexico. Fernandez also represented Argentina in the 2012 Paralympics in London and in Rio in 2016, where he reached the singles quarterfinals both times. He has played for his country in the World Team Cup 11 times as a pro player and as a junior player. In doubles, Fernandez peaked at No. 5 in the world in May 2016 and holds two Grand Slam doubles titles. He has been in a wheelchair since he was just over a year old, when he fell out of a chair and suffered a spinal cord injury. Fernandez comes from an athletic family, as his father was a successful professional basketball player in Argentina and his brother played basketball for Temple University in the U.S. JOACHIM GERARD (BEL) BIRTHDATE: October 15, 1988 BIRTHPLACE: Limelette, Belgium RESIDENCE: Court-Saint-Etienne, Belgium PLAYS: Right-handed SPONSORS: Babolat, FILA, Brussels South Airport, Partenamut, Orthopedie Toussaint, Pareto Joachim Gerard became disabled after contracting polio as a child.
[Show full text]