Richard "Pancho" Gonzales Biography - Taught Himself To Play, Prevailed In The Touring Circuit, Chronology, Awards And Accomplishments, Further Information
1928-1995
American tennis player
The Mexican American tennis player Richard "Pancho" Alonzo Gonzales had only two major singles titles to his credit, yet he was considered by many to be one of the most influential players of the late 1940s and the 1950s. After winning consecutive singles titles at the U.S. Championships (later known as the U.S. Open), Gonzales joined the professional touring circuit—a move than banned him from the major tournaments but that proved him to be one of the most formidable players in the country. During his career, Gonzales often faced racism and discrimination in the predominantly white world of his chosen sport. Developing a tough skin and a defiant, lone-wolf attitude, he became infamous among his peers, but won over tennis fans with his deft game and larger-than-life charisma.
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Richard Alonso "Pancho" Gonzales, born in Los Angeles in 1928, was the son of Mexican immigrants Manuel and Carmen Gonzales. When Manuel was a child, he walked with his father 900 miles, from Chihuahua, Mexico, to Arizona. He later settled in South Central Los Angeles, where he met and married Carmen, and worked as a housepainter. Despite his father's strictness, Gonzales, one…
Irascible and prone to raging against his opponents and umpires, Gonzales was nonetheless popular among tennis audiences, and he always drew a crowd. As the reigning champion, he trounced Ken Rosewall, Lew Hoad, and many others. Yet he was unhappy with his touring contracts, which always offered more money to the challenging player than to him, the reigning champion. Gonzales also faced marital tr…
Flink, Steve. "Obituary: Pancho Gonzales." Independent (London, England) (July 5, 1995): 18. Irvine, David. "The Tough Guy of Tennis." Guardian (London, England) (July 5, 1995): 15. Price, S. L. "The Lone Wolf." Sports Illustrated (June 24, 1995): 68. "Gonzales, 'Pancho' (Richard A.)." Hickok Sports.com. http://www.hickoksports.…
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