Nicolás Massú (born 23 October 1979) is a former professional tennis player from Chile. He achieved a career-high ATP singles ranking of world No. 9 in April 2004 and a career-high doubles ranking of world No. 7 in March 2002. Massú is best known for winning two gold medals at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens: one in the men’s singles event and another in the men’s doubles event, partnering with compatriot Fernando González. He is the only male tennis player to have won two Olympic gold medals in a single Games.
Early life and background
Massú was born in Viña del Mar, Chile, to a family with a sports background; his mother was a former volleyball player. He began playing tennis at a young age and turned professional in 1999.
Professional career
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Singles: Massú won a total of six ATP singles titles. His most notable victory came at the 2003 Hamburg Masters (now the Hamburg European Open), a Tier I event, where he defeated Guillermo Coria in the final. He also reached the quarterfinals of the French Open in 2003.
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Doubles: Together with Fernando González, Massú secured three ATP doubles titles, including the 2003 Paris Masters (now the Paris Masters). Their partnership contributed to Chile’s strong performance in the 2004 Olympic doubles competition.
Olympic achievements
At the 2004 Athens Olympics, Massú defeated Mardy Fish (USA) in the quarterfinals, Roger Federer (SUI) in the semifinals, and Fernando González (a fellow Chilean) in the final to claim the gold medal in singles. In the doubles event, Massú and González defeated the French pair Michaël Llodra and Fabrice Santoro in the final to secure the second gold medal for Chile.
Later career and retirement
Massú’s performance declined due to recurring injuries, particularly a persistent elbow condition. He retired from professional tennis in 2015. Following retirement, he has been involved in coaching and tennis development programs in Chile.
Personal life
Massú is married to Karina Hidalgo; the couple has children. He has been active in charitable initiatives, especially those promoting sports participation among youth in Chile.
Legacy
Nicolás Massú’s dual Olympic gold medals are considered a landmark achievement in Chilean sport, contributing to his reputation as one of the most accomplished athletes in the nation’s history. His success helped increase the popularity of tennis in Chile and inspired subsequent generations of Chilean players.
