Richard Gonzales
Actor
Ricardo Alonso González (May 9, 1928 – July 3, 1995), usually known as Pancho Gonzales, and sometimes as Richard Gonzales, was an American tennis player who has been rated one of the greatest in the history of the sport. He won 14 major singles titles (12 Pro Slam, 2 Grand Slam) and was the dominant professional of the 1950s, winning seven professional tours between 1954 and 1961; he still holds the men's all-time record of being ranked world No. 1 for eight years. Gonzales was a ruthless competitor with a fierce temper. Many of his peers on the professional circuit were intimidated by him, and he was often at odds with officials and promoters. However, he was a fan favorite who drew more spectators than any other player of his time. After his death, a Sports Illustrated article stated: "If earth was on the line in a tennis match, the man you want serving to save humankind would be Ricardo Alonso Gonzales." Longtime tennis commentator Bud Collins echoed this in 2006: "If I had to choose someone to play for my life, it would be Pancho Gonzales."
Ricardo Alonso González (May 9, 1928 – July 3, 1995), usually known as Pancho Gonzales, and sometimes as Richard Gonzales, was an American tennis player who has been rated one of the greatest in the history of the sport. He won 14 major singles titles (12 Pro Slam, 2 Grand Slam) and was the dominant professional of the 1950s, winning seven professional tours between 1954 and 1961; he still holds the men's all-time record of being ranked world No. 1 for eight years.
Gonzales was a ruthless competitor with a fierce temper. Many of his peers on the professional circuit were intimidated by him, and he was often at odds with officials and promoters. However, he was a fan favorite who drew more spectators than any other player of his time. After his death, a Sports Illustrated article stated: "If earth was on the line in a tennis match, the man you want serving to save humankind would be Ricardo Alonso Gonzales." Longtime tennis commentator Bud Collins echoed this in 2006: "If I had to choose someone to play for my life, it would be Pancho Gonzales."