It so nearly proved the perfect year for Gustavo Fernandez, whose consistently outstanding form during 2019 ensured he was named Men’s Wheelchair ITF World Champion for the second time in three years.

A six-trophy season in singles alone, which included a hugely impressive haul of three Grand Slam titles, guaranteed Fernandez the much-coveted year-end No. 1 spot in the UNIQLO Wheelchair Tennis Tour’s world rankings.

The achievement was built upon the foundations of those Grand Slam successes, which saw Fernandez lift silverware in the men’s singles draw at the Australian Open, Roland Garros and, for the first time in his career, Wimbledon.

Opportunity certainly knocked for Fernandez, who headed to New York and the US Open in September with the chance to make history and become the maiden wheelchair tennis player to complete a calendar year singles Grand Slam.

Fresh from securing his third successive men’s singles gold medal at the Parapan American Games, Fernandez progressed to the semi-finals but, despite claiming the first set, succumbed to defeat against Stephane Houdet of France.

Houdet was a familiar foe for Fernandez during 2019, with the duo drawing swords on nine occasions in singles competition. While Fernandez returned a 6-3 win-loss record against his rival, Houdet proved a more than stubborn opponent during the business end of tournaments.

Not only did Houdet overcome Fernandez in the last four of the US Open, but also the final of the Bendigo Wheelchair Tennis Open in January and the semis of February’s ABN AMRO World Wheelchair Tennis Tournament.

Happily for Fernandez, however, he navigated the final hurdle at May’s Internazionali BNL d’Italia, somewhat inevitably against Houdet, while he also topped the podium at the BNP Paribas Open de France in June.

By the season’s end, Fernandez could also boast five doubles titles with a variety of playing partners. The most significant arrived at Roland Garros where he and Japan’s Shingo Kunieda defeated Houdet and his compatriot Nicolas Peifer in the final.

This was Rio Tercero-born Fernandez’s first Grand Slam doubles title since he and Peifer dispatched all before them at Wimbledon in 2015. It added further gloss to a truly memorable season.

Fernandez said: "This year was incredible. I feel that all the hard work on court, and outside of it, has paid off the best way it could: playing amazing tennis. That is what really make me happy in life, and my real passion. Play tennis and do it the best way I can.

“I think this year I made a huge step forward in that direction, and I'm proud of it. I'm proud of myself and of my entire team that was vital to achieve this and everything. The results are because of everything that we did together over the years, and that is what means the most. This was an amazing year and it will be forever in my heart."