Gustavo Fernández is a world and South American tennis star. The 26-year-old Argentinian has competed in the most important tournaments in the world, establishing himself by obtaining four Grand Slams, with Wimbledon 2019 being his last great title.In addition, he has competed in the last three Parapan American Games, Guadalajara 2011, Toronto 2015 and Lima 2019, and in all of them he has managed to get the gold medal in both singles and doubles. Today, due to times of pandemic, Gustavo has decided to take a break with his family "whom he had not seen for a long time", but the trans-Andean star definitely wants to continue adding victories and experiences, so he will soon return to training for his next great challenges: the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games and the Santiago 2023 Parapan American Games.
What are your goals for Santiago 2023?
I would love to be able to be on the podium again. The truth is that my ambition is very high, I enter all tournaments with the illusion of winning, and the Parapan American is no exception. I have had very good Games throughout my career. I went to Guadalajara when I was 17 and I was able to win; then the same thing happened in Toronto; And now in Lima, with much more experience, being the No. 1 in the world, it was something else and I was able to win back. So for Santiago 2023 I also have many illusions and I will be at full capacity to win the gold.
What are your expectations of the event that will be held for the first time in Chile?
I have not competed in Chile for a long time and that is where I won my first professional tournament, so I have a lot of affection for the country and many Chilean people that I have met throughout my career. I am very excited for Santiago 2023 and I hope that events of this hierarchy will continue to be repeated in Latin America, and prove to ourselves that we are capable of organizing large events. For now, Santiago is under great pressure to organize the Games and we, the athletes, are going to contribute from our place so that everything goes as well as possible.
How do you see Chilean athletes and national competition?
By 2023, I think they will continue to mature and grow. They have young male and female tennis players. They have forged a good number of players and I think that generates good projections. For example, Maca (Cabrillana) has had a very good year. For Santiago 2023 they will have everyone supporting them and it will surely be an entertaining show.
What should not be missing from the event?
From my experience, I believe that the predisposition and will of the organizers is always there and is fundamental. It is important to make all of us and the people who participate in the event feel comfortable and try to do so, making reference to the Paralympics, in an extremely professional manner and at the height of what the event means. A great job was done in Lima and I am confident that Santiago will be able to do it. It would be wonderful for the public to join in and give them that bonus that they have always given to competitions. I hope that together we can enjoy the Games.
What are your next challenges?
Currently everything is very uncertain, but in theory I should go to Australia in January. At the moment I'm taking a break with the family and I'll be back in training soon. I will have a lot of training time and to prepare very well. I want to face 2021 with a lot of strength, a lot of courage and a lot of work, to be able to do what I like the most: play tennis.
