Gustavo Kuerten: A Journey to the Pinnacle of Tennis

Gustavo Kuerten, known as Guga, is remembered for his signature dirty-blond curls and his infectious smile during intense tennis matches. His powerful forehand revolutionized the sport. Twenty-five years ago, his determination and the encouragement from his coach propelled him to become the only Brazilian man to reach No. 1 in the ATP rankings since 1973.

In a recent interview, Kuerten discussed how history has not favored South American players, citing examples from the past and expressing the challenge of replicating such a feat today. While he acknowledges the achievements of great players like Maria Esther Bueno, he notes that these stories often remain uncelebrated.

Despite his achievements, much has changed in Kuerten’s life. Now 49 and living with an artificial hip, he plays tennis infrequently due to pain but remains active through surfing and other workouts. His son, Luis Felipe, is following in his footsteps, taking up tennis at a young age.

Kuerten vividly recalls his beginnings, including the moment he decided to pursue tennis seriously at the age of 15 during a visit to the French Open. He made a promise to himself to practice hard and reach the top, a goal he inscribed in a postcard to remind himself of the dream.

Two years later, he made a groundbreaking decision to switch from natural gut strings to polyester strings—an innovation that would become a game-changer in the sport. Kuerten surged to fame in 1997 after winning his first French Open title, defeating several top players, which catapulted him into the top ranks.

His rise continued as he eventually became the world No. 1, beating tennis legends like Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi. Though it has been years since another South American has reached such heights, Kuerten believes young talents like João Fonseca could break through in the near future.

As he supports the next generation of players, Kuerten emphasizes the importance of mindset and determination. While he recognizes the challenges ahead, he remains hopeful for the future and cherishes his role as a mentor, eager to see what lies ahead for both Fonseca and his own son, Luis Felipe.