Maricris Fernandez
FullnameMaricris Fernandez-Gentz
Birth dateJuly 23, 1979 (age 47)
Careerprizemoney18,456
Singlesrecord66–38
Singlestitles4 ITF
HighestsinglesrankingNo. 284 (October 18, 1999)
Doublestitles16–24
HighestdoublesrankingNo. 601 (November 11, 1991)
Teamyes
Fedcupresult12–2

Maricris Fernandez-Gentz[1] (born July 23, 1979[2]) is a Filipino former tennis player.

Career

Fernandez was an active tennis player in the 1990s.[3] At 14-years old, she priotized her tennis career over her education.[4]

Playing for Philippines at the Fed Cup, Gentz has a win–loss record of 12–2.[5]

She has won at least two PCA Open women's singles title (1994 and 1996).[6][7][8]

She won the girls event of the 1995 and 1997 Mitsubishi Lancer International Junior Tennis Championship.[9] [10]

She won the women's single gold medal at the 1999 SEA Games in Brunei. No Filipina would win a gold medal until the 2025 edition where Alexandra Eala ended the 26-year medal drought.[11]

Fernandez has career-high WTA rankings of 284 in singles, achieved in 1999. She was the highest ranked Filipino player ever on the WTA circuit until Eala surpassed her in 2022 reaching 280.[12]

In 2001, she reportedly retired to focus on resuming her studies in Los Angeles.[4] In 2009, she returned from retirement and secured a wildcard entry at the Holcim/ITF Women’s Circuit Tournament.[1][13]

ITF Circuit finals

$100,000 tournaments
$75,000 tournaments
$50,000 tournaments
$25,000 tournaments
$10,000 tournaments

Singles: 7 (4–3)

OutcomeNo.DateTournamentSurfaceOpponentScore
Runner-up1.22 November 1992Manila, PhilippinesHardEvangelina Olivarez4–6, 6–4, 5–7
Winner2.15 September 1996Bangkok, ThailandHardMiyako Ataka6–3, 6–2
Winner3.4 November 1996Manila, PhilippinesHardLiu Hui-Na2–6, 6–3, 6–3
Winner4.11 November 1996Manila, PhilippinesHardKhoo Chin-bee6–0, 6–1
Winner5.16 November 1998Manila, PhilippinesHardLara van Rooyen6–2, 6–0
Runner-up6.27 June 1999Easton, United StatesHardMilagros Sequera5–7, 2–6
Runner-up7.4 July 1999Springfield, United StatesHardJennifer Hopkins1–6, 0–6

References

  1. ^ "Holcim women's tennis holds qualifying today". The Philippine Star. 8 November 2009. Retrieved 31 January 2026.
  2. ^ "Maricris GENTZ". Billie Jean King Cup. Archived 1 November 2023 at the Wayback Machine.
  3. ^ Henson, Joaquin (5 November 2008). "An Oscar for RP tennis". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 31 January 2026.
  4. ^ Villar, Joey (20 October 2001). "Maricris giving up tennis for US studies". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 31 January 2026.
  5. ^ "Maricris Gentz". billiejeankingcup.com. Archived from the original on 2021-05-22. Retrieved 2021-05-22.
  6. ^ "Shut out in singles, Sokors sweep doubles". Manila Standard. 19 July 1994. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
  7. ^ "Blast from the Past". Philippine Daily Inquirer. 18 July 2002. p. A21. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
  8. ^ Atencio, Peter (29 July 1996). "Angelo grabs net crown; Fernandez is women's champ". Manila Standard. p. 23. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
  9. ^ "Mitsubishi Int'l junior net opens April 23". Manila Standard. 17 April 1996. p. 19. Retrieved 12 February 2026.
  10. ^ Reyes, Marc Anthony (21 March 2013). "All over for PH Lancer tennis campaign". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 31 January 2026.
  11. ^ Magallon, Reynald (18 December 2025). "Alex Eala masterclass ends 26-year drought in women's tennis". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved 31 January 2026.
  12. ^ Quismorio, Ellson (13 September 2022). "Bicol solon pinpoints what made Eala's title win 'exceptional'". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved 31 January 2026.
  13. ^ "Arevalo at magkapatid na Patrimonio bigo" [Arevalo and Patrimonio siblings foiled] (in Filipino). 11 November 2009. Retrieved 31 January 2026.