One of the greatest tennis players who ever lived, and the face of Spalding USA, died of stomach cancer in Las Vegas on July 3, 1995, at age 67. Despite breaking through through racial and class barriers to dominate the sport, he died almost broke and almost friendless, estranged from his ex-wives except for Rita, it was Andre Agassi who paid for his funeral. This is his remarkable story.
Early Life and Beginnings
Pancho Gonzales, born Ricardo Alonso Gonzales on May 9, 1928, in Los Angeles, California, is a figure whose contributions to tennis remain underappreciated. His parents, Manuel Antonio Gonzales and Carmen Alire, emigrated from Chihuahua, Mexico, to the USA in the early 1900s, seeking better opportunities. Gonzales was the eldest of seven children, and his journey into tennis began at the age of 12 when his mother gifted him a 51-cent racket. Largely self-taught, Gonzales honed his skills by watching other players on public courts at Exposition Park in Los Angeles.Without formal coaching or support from the predominantly white upper-class tennis establishment of Los Angeles in the 1940s, Gonzales made his mark. His friend Chuck Pate provided some informal tennis analysis, but Gonzales mainly learned by watching and playing. By 1948, as a relatively unknown 20-year-old, he won the US Championships (now the US Open) at Forest Hills, repeating this triumph in 1949. These achievements were remarkable given the racial and class barriers he faced.
Rising Against the Odds
Gonzales’ early life was fraught with challenges. He dropped out of high school and spent time in a juvenile delinquency institution for burglary at age 15. He later joined the U.S. Navy as World War II was ending, serving for two years before receiving a bad-conduct discharge in 1947. Despite these setbacks, Gonzales’ talent shone through. In 1947, as a mostly unknown 19-year-old, he achieved a national ranking of number 17, primarily by playing on the West Coast. His victory in the US Championships in 1948 made him the first Hispanic man to win a Grand Slam championship, and he gained international recognition as a member of the U.S. team that won the Davis Cup against Australia in 1949.
Dominance in Professional Tennis
At 21, Gonzales turned professional, a move that excluded him from amateur Grand Slam tournaments and has contributed to his under-representation in tennis history. Standing nearly 6’3″, Gonzales was known for his smooth movement and exceptional reflexes. Tony Trabert, a contemporary and rival, described him as the greatest natural athlete tennis has ever known. Despite initial struggles on the professional tour, Gonzales’ career soon flourished. By 1952, he was ranked No. 1 in the world, sharing the spot with Pancho Segura. From 1954 to 1960, Gonzales dominated men’s tennis, a period of sustained excellence comparable only to Bill Tilden’s dominance in the 1920s.
Legacy and Achievements
Gonzales’ career is marked by incredible achievements, many of which have not received the recognition they deserve:
- Grand Slam Titles: Gonzales won the US Championships (now the US Open) in 1948 and 1949, making him the first Hispanic man to win a Grand Slam championship.
- Professional Titles: He won nine U.S. Open Pro titles and four Wembley Pro titles, among other professional accolades.
- World No. 1 Ranking: Gonzales was ranked as the world’s No. 1 player from 1952 to 1960, a remarkable eight-year streak. This could itself put him around 5th longest of all time, just behind Federer!
- Davis Cup Success: He was a key member of the U.S. team that won the Davis Cup in 1949.
- Record Against Rivals: He had a winning match record against many of his contemporaries, including a 116-86 record against Ken Rosewall.
- Historic Wins: In January 1970, nearing his 42nd birthday, Gonzales defeated then-world No. 1 Rod Laver in a five-set match at Madison Square Garden, showcasing his enduring skill.
- Oldest Tournament Winner: In 1972, he became the oldest man to win a professional tournament, at age 44, in Iowa.
Despite these achievements, Gonzales’ legacy has been overshadowed due to his early switch to professional tennis, which excluded him from competing in amateur Grand Slam tournaments for over 18 years. His son Dan and nephew Greg believe this historical oversight is a significant reason for his lack of recognition.
The Impact of the Open Era
The advent of the Open Era in 1968 allowed professionals to compete in Grand Slam tournaments, but it came too late for Gonzales. He was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1968, but his professional achievements prior to this era are often overlooked. His son Dan and nephew Greg believe that this historical oversight is a significant reason for his lack of recognition.
A Fiery Competitor
Gonzales was known for his fiery demeanor on the court, a trait that was often highlighted more than his skills. As a Mexican American, his “bad boy” image was scrutinized harshly compared to other players with similar temperaments, like John McEnroe. Despite this, Gonzales was a mentor to young players, including Arthur Ashe, who called him his “only idol.”
Challenges and Resilience
Gonzales’ life was marked by numerous challenges. He dropped out of high school, spent time in a juvenile delinquency institution, and faced racial discrimination throughout his career. Despite these obstacles, he became one of tennis’s greatest players. His personal life was tumultuous, marked by six marriages and seven children. He died of stomach cancer in Las Vegas on July 3, 1995, at age 67, with Andre Agassi, his brother-in-law, paying for his funeral.
Recognition and the Future
Gonzales’ family continues to fight for his recognition. Dan Gonzales, president of The Pancho Foundation, highlights his father’s dedication to education and his unparalleled achievements in tennis. Howard Bryant, a journalist, notes that Gonzales’ story needs to be revived to keep his legacy alive. The lack of a subsequent great Latino tennis player to revive his memory has contributed to his relative obscurity.
Conclusion
Pancho Gonzales was a trailblazer in the world of tennis, breaking through racial and class barriers to dominate the sport. His exclusion from amateur Grand Slam tournaments during his prime has led to an under appreciation of his achievements. As tennis historians and enthusiasts, it is crucial to recognize and celebrate his contributions to the sport. Gonzales’ story is a testament to resilience, excellence, and the need to honor those who paved the way in professional sports.Despite his fiery temperament and the racial discrimination he faced, Gonzales’ skill and determination made him one of the all-time greats. His legacy, though overshadowed by the historical distinctions made between amateur and professional tennis, remains a powerful reminder of the barriers he broke and the excellence he embodied. As the tennis world continues to evolve, it is essential to remember and honor the contributions of players like Pancho Gonzales, whose impact on the sport is undeniable.
Pancho Gonzales played with Spalding for most of his career
Timeline
YEAR | EVENT |
---|---|
1928 | Born Ricardo Alonso González in Los Angeles, California |
1940 | Received a 51-cent racket from his mother, began teaching himself tennis |
1947 | Achieved a national ranking of No. 17 as a mostly unknown 19-year-old |
1948 | Won the United States Championships (now the US Open) |
1949 | Repeated victory at the United States Championships |
1949 | Won Wimbledon Men’s Doubles Championship |
1949 | Won French Championships Men’s Doubles Championship |
1949 | Turned professional, became ineligible for amateur Grand Slam tournaments |
1949 | Member of the U.S. Davis Cup winning team against Australia |
1950 | Won Wembley Singles Championship |
1951 | Won Wembley Singles Championship |
1952 | Won Wembley Singles Championship |
1953 | Runner-up at Wembley Singles Championship |
1953 | Won U.S. Professional Championship |
1954 | Won U.S. Professional Championship |
1955 | Won U.S. Professional Championship |
1956 | Won U.S. Professional Championship |
1956 | Won Wembley Singles Championship |
1956 | Runner-up at French Professional Championship |
1957 | Won U.S. Professional Championship |
1958 | Won U.S. Professional Championship |
1958 | Won U.S. Professional Doubles Championship |
1959 | Won U.S. Professional Championship |
1960 | Won U.S. Professional Championship |
1961 | Won U.S. Professional Championship |
1961 | Runner-up at French Professional Championship |
1964 | Runner-up at U.S. Professional Championship |
1964 | Runner-up at French Professional Championship |
1964 | Won U.S. Professional Indoor Championship at White Plains, NY |
1964 | Won World Professional Championship at Cleveland |
1964 | Won BBC2 TV event, Wembley Singles Championship |
1966 | Won BBC2 TV event, Wembley Singles Championship |
1968 | Inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame |
1969 | Won Howard Hughes Open, defeating Arthur Ashe |
1969 | Won U.S. Professional Doubles Championship |
1970 | Won Howard Hughes Open, defeating Rod Laver |
1970 | Beat Rod Laver in a five-set match at Madison Square Garden |
1972 | Became the oldest man to win a professional tournament at age 44 |
1995 | Died of stomach cancer in Las Vegas at age 67, funeral paid by Andre Agassi |