Maricris Fernandez

Maricris Fernandez
Full nameMaricris Fernandez-Gentz
Country (sports) Philippines
Born (1979-07-23) July 23, 1979 (age 47)
Prize money18,456
Singles
Career record66–38
Career titles4 ITF
Highest rankingNo. 284 (October 18, 1999)
Doubles
Career titles16–24
Highest rankingNo. 601 (November 11, 1991)
Team competitions
Fed Cup12–2
Medal record
Women's tennis
Representing  Philippines
Southeast Asian Games
Gold medal – first place1999 Bandar Seri BegawanSingles
Bronze medal – third place1995 Chang MaiDoubles
Bronze medal – third place1995 Chang MaiTeam
Bronze medal – third place1997 JakartaTeam
Silver medal – second place1999 Bandar Seri BegawanTeam

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

Career

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

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

She has won at least two PCA Open women's singles title (1994 and 1996).

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

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.

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.

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

ITF Circuit finals

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

Singles: 7 (4–3)

Outcome No. Date Tournament Surface Opponent Score
Runner-up 1. 22 November 1992 Manila, Philippines Hard Philippines Evangelina Olivarez 4–6, 6–4, 5–7
Winner 2. 15 September 1996 Bangkok, Thailand Hard Japan Miyako Ataka 6–3, 6–2
Winner 3. 4 November 1996 Manila, Philippines Hard China Liu Hui-Na 2–6, 6–3, 6–3
Winner 4. 11 November 1996 Manila, Philippines Hard Malaysia Khoo Chin-bee 6–0, 6–1
Winner 5. 16 November 1998 Manila, Philippines Hard South Africa Lara van Rooyen 6–2, 6–0
Runner-up 6. 27 June 1999 Easton, United States Hard Venezuela Milagros Sequera 5–7, 2–6
Runner-up 7. 4 July 1999 Springfield, United States Hard United States Jennifer Hopkins 1–6, 0–6

References

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