Pancho Gonzales is described in the public record as American tennis player (1928–1995).
Ricardo Alonso "Pancho" González (May 9, 1928 – July 3, 1995), known sometimes as Richard Gonzales, was an American tennis player. He won 15 major singles titles, including two U.S. National Championships in 1948 and 1949, and 13 Professional majors. He also won three Tournament of Champions professional events in 1957, 1958, and 1959. Gonzales was ranked as the amateur world No. 1 in 1948 by Ned Potter and in 1949 by Potter and John Olliff. Gonzales was a prominent professional champion in the 1950s and 1960s, winning world professional championship tours between 1954 and 1961; he was the world number one ranked male tennis player professional between 1952 and 1961. Gonzales was a determined competitor with a fierce temper. He was often at odds with officials and promoters. However, he was a fan favorite who drew many spectators. == Career == === Amateur === Gonzales was given a 51-cent racquet by his mother when he was 12 years old.
Pancho Gonzales is recorded among the figures by whom historic sport is remembered, and the surviving account of that career is the basis on which the reputation rests.
The codified rules of most modern sports were written between 1850 and 1900, so the first great champions were competing while the games themselves were still being defined.
