He is known universally as 'Guga' and beloved by fans worldwide as much for his frizzy hair, big smile and engaging personality as for his three French Open titles. It is the first South American man to ever rank year-end Number 1 will proposed farewell to the sport and tennis at Roland Garros.
Kuerten is a real challenger, he had started his career when he was just 18 and then he multiplied victories. By then the tennis world had fallen in love with the richly gifted player, a colorful and exciting personality.
Kuerten regained his crown as the unrivalled master of European clay-courts with victory over Swede Magnus Norman in the 2000 Roland Garros final, when his demoralizing power and divine touch helped him secure his second title on his 11th match point.
Twelve months later he drew a heart on the clay of Philippe Chatrier Court when he became only the fourth player since the Second World War to win the most mentally demanding of all the Grand Slams more than twice.Again, as in 1997 and 2000, he dedicated each of his triumphs to his father, Aldo, who died while umpiring a junior match when Kuerten was eight years old in 1985. In November 2007 his achievements would once again be tempered by the loss of his greatest supporter: his brother Guilherme, who suffered from cerebral palsy.
In 2000 he launched the Guga Kuerten Institute that helps the handicapped and provides support for projects that promote the integral development of children and adolescents through sporting activities. The Institute has assisted more than 25,000 people in Santa Catarina and has raised more than $2 million.
Today Kuerten is revered by a sports mad nation in the same light as the late Formula One racing driver Ayrton Senna.
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