Gustavo Fernández is a legend of national sports. It doesn’t matter when you read this. The Cordovan became number 1 in the world in wheelchair tennis, won five Grand Slamsplayed the finals of another eight, won the bronze medal at the last Paris Olympic Games and it still has rope for a while. This Thursday, the native of Río Tercero was in Villa María to join the audience that vibrated in the Sport Social Club with the round of 16 of the AAT Challenger Santander.
In one of the stands of the central court, the tennis player spoke with Infobae to review his current events and to tell how he sees the sport he loves.
– Were you planning to come to the tournament?
– It was actually a bit of a coincidence. I had to pick up a couple of friends to continue to Río Tercero and since they wanted to come watch some tennis and so did I, we took advantage. On the weekend I went to the Racket (Club de Palermo, where the Buenos Aires Challenger was played) and he just happened to come here too. I am happy, I like it and I really enjoy coming to watch and watch Argentine tennis.
– When you were young you played for this club, how do you see it?
-I came here quite a bit as a boy and I know him well. I had never come to see these types of events, I know that they have been held for a couple of years and I completely celebrate that these types of large tournaments continue to be held indoors and that tennis continues to grow in this way. I think it is also something extremely nice that my friends can see very good tennis close to home. Here we are, enjoying and supporting the movement a lot.
– How is your bond with people after your bronze medal at the Paris Olympic Games?
-People always show me a lot of affection. I am very grateful. I still haven’t had the chance to play here in Argentina and be able to feel a little bit of that love on the field. I have to be a spectator, but really The respect and affection of people is always beautiful, I enjoy it a lot and it’s also nice to share it knowing that unfortunately I’m not in Argentina much.
– Would you like to play a tournament in Argentina?
– The truth is that I would love to before retiring, I think it would be a dream to be able to fulfill it. I imagine a big tournament and everyone who competes with me in Grand Slams and important tournaments comes. I hope that before I retire it can come true and it is a dream that I have pending.
-How do you approach the final stretch of the year with the Masters ahead?
– I’m going to prepare it here in Argentina, I already need to rest a little from being outside and soak up the house a little. These days I’m going to Buenos Aires to prepare everything with my team and to prepare for the end of the year. I really want to start 2025, I look forward to it.
Despite winning almost everything in the sport he plays, the 30-year-old player does not lose sight of what is coming and from the next November 11 He will go in search of one of those titles that still eludes him. The appointment is in Arnhem, Netherlands, and God wants to make the legend bigger.
