Andrés Gómez
An elegant Ecuadorian left-hander who carved up clay courts to seize a magical French Open title, becoming a national hero.
Born 1960 (age 66)·Ecuadorian tennis player·Birthday: February 27·Baby Boomers
Biography
Andrés Gómez brought a touch of South American flair to the baseline wars of 1980s tennis. With a looping, heavy topspin forehand and a deft touch at the net, the tall left-hander was a natural on clay. For over a decade, he was a consistent and formidable presence, climbing to world number four and piling up titles. Yet his career was defined by one transcendent fortnight in Paris in 1990. At 30, considered by many to be past his prime, Gómez played the tournament of his life. In a final charged with emotion, he faced the young American prodigy Andre Agassi. In a stunning display of controlled power and experience, Gómez triumphed, falling to the clay in tears. That victory at Roland Garros was more than a personal triumph; it was a moment of immense national pride for Ecuador, cementing his status as its greatest sportsman. His parallel success in doubles, where he reached world number one, showcased the complete versatility of his game.
Baby Boomers
1946–1964
The largest generation in history at the time. Shaped by postwar prosperity, the Vietnam War, the sexual revolution, and Watergate. They questioned every institution their parents built — then ran them.
Andrés was born in 1960, placing them squarely in the Baby Boomers. The events that shaped this generation — postwar prosperity, civil rights, Vietnam, and the counterculture — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Andrés Was Born
The biggest hits of 1960
#1 Movie
Swiss Family Robinson
Best Picture
The Apartment
#1 TV Show
Gunsmoke
Andrés's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1960Born
Kennedy-Nixon debates become first televised presidential debates
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $11,900Min wage: $1.00/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"Theme from A Summer Place" — Percy FaithBest Picture: The Apartment
1965Started school
US sends combat troops to Vietnam
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $13,600Min wage: $1.25/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" — The Rolling StonesBest Picture: The Sound of Music
1973Became a teenager
US withdraws from Vietnam; Roe v. Wade decided
Gas: $0.39/galHome: $22,100Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree" — Tony Orlando & DawnBest Picture: The Sting
1976Could drive
Apple Computer founded; US bicentennial
Gas: $0.59/galHome: $29,300Min wage: $2.30/hrPresident: Gerald Ford"Silly Love Songs" — WingsBest Picture: Rocky
1978Could vote
First test-tube baby born
Gas: $0.63/galHome: $35,300Min wage: $2.65/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Shadow Dancing" — Andy GibbBest Picture: The Deer Hunter
1981Turned 21
MTV launches; first Space Shuttle flight; AIDS identified
Gas: $1.31/galHome: $52,300Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Bette Davis Eyes" — Kim CarnesBest Picture: Chariots of Fire
1990Turned 30
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
2000Turned 40
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2010Turned 50
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2020Turned 60
COVID-19 pandemic shuts down the world
Gas: $2.17/galHome: $248,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Blinding Lights" — The WeekndBest Picture: Nomadland
2026Age 66 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the men's singles title at the 1990 French Open, defeating Andre Agassi in a four-set final.
- Achieved the world No. 1 ranking in doubles in 1986 and won two major doubles titles (1986 US Open, 1988 French Open).
- Reached a career-high singles ranking of world No. 4 in 1990.
- Won 21 ATP singles titles and 33 doubles titles during his professional career.
- Led Ecuador to its first Davis Cup semifinal in 1985.
Did You Know?
His son, Giovanni Gómez, is also a professional tennis player.
He is the only Ecuadorian player to ever win a Grand Slam singles title.
Gómez was known for playing with unusually small grips on his racquets.
He defeated Ivan Lendl, the world number one, en route to his 1990 French Open victory.
“Winning the French Open final against Agassi was the peak of my forehand's heavy arc.”
