Catching Up With Guga
Last month, the International Tennis Hall of Fame (ITHF) had a chance to catch up with one of our Global Ambassadors, Gustavo “Guga” Kuerten, in his native Brazil where he has a legion of adoring fans. This admiration not only stems from his charismatic personality and philanthropic work, but also from his remarkable accomplishments in tennis, notably, having been the only South American man in tennis history to reach world No. 1, and winning three French Open titles (1997, 2000, and 2001). In 2012, Kuerten was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in recognition of his many achievements and contributions to the sport. This year, Kuerten strengthened his involvement with the organization by accepting the role of Global Ambassador for the ITHF. Through this appointment, he plays an active role in the Hall of Fame's efforts to preserve and promote tennis history and engage the global tennis community.
In addition, Kuerten is highly engaged in philanthropic work through his foundation - the Guga Kuerten Institute (IGK). Inspired by his mother, a social worker, and his late brother, Guilherme, who suffered from cerebral palsy, Kuerten always wanted to ensure opportunities for people through sport. Kuerten explained that “the IGK’s role is to promote opportunities and improve the self-esteem of children and people with disabilities so that they are fully able to exercise citizenship.” He continued, “My tennis career was the boost to set up the IGK, which is extremely gratifying work that I am proud to fulfill.”
Most recently, the IGK hosted the 8th annual Semana Guga Kuerten (Guga Kuerten Week) – the largest junior tennis event in the world. It consisted of 11 days of competition that included a junior ITF tournament, an adult wheelchair tennis tournament, and an adult beach tennis tournament. In all, the event brought together more than 1,600 athletes from 10 countries. The International Tennis Hall of Fame took part in the festivities by working with Guga to create an exhibit about his career accomplishments and legacy within the sport, exposing the 58,000 fans in attendance to Kuerten’s career highlights. During the week, Kuerten visited the exhibit to reminisce on the featured accomplishments. The following excerpts from the conversation with the champion provided personal insight into the defining moments of his professional career.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Winning the French Open in 1997 undoubtedly affected the nation of Brazil. Can you describe the impact? How did tennis surge in popularity following your success?
“In the moment, I was focused, so I didn’t know what to expect returning home to Brazil. Once home, we could see the impact. People would stop in the middle of what they were doing to watch the games. Now, everyone is watching tennis. It was contagious in Brazil. A few years before, we had a Formula One driver pass away, so there was a gap in sports here. The country needed another sports idol. After my win in France, there were a lot of expectations. I think the public was surprised when I lost my next match on grass courts, but they started learning about all the tournaments and how to keep score. They really became specialists of the sport!”
What were your feelings and sentiments during your final career match against Mathieu at Roland Garros in 2008?
“Well, I kept trying to believe that I had a chance to win and play one more match even though it was nearly impossible. But, our minds are built on belief. Overall, it was a precious experience. We played on a Sunday – the first time the French Open began on Sunday instead of Monday- against a French player on center court. The stadium was crowded, but there was no one-sided cheering - everyone was appreciating the match. It was good. I had the opportunity to enjoy it a little bit more. In that moment, I was able to appreciate my entire career and everything I had done leading up to my last match.”
Life after tennis – what accomplishments are you most proud of?
“Being inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame was a very special moment for me and my family. I never expected to be part of the Hall of Fame, so it’s very humbling and meaningful. The Hall of Fame opens many windows of opportunity. It provides a platform for me to stay active in the tennis community around the world and share the history. For me, the history of tennis is very important and is a great part of my success. Growing up and into my professional career, I was inspired by players who came before me – like John McEnroe and Björn Borg. I know how important it is to have someone to look up to. This is why the Hall of Fame is so important and I am very happy to be part of it.”
At the Hall of Fame, we set aside a special place in history for every inductee. What would you like your legacy to tennis history to be?
“My tennis career was based on the ability to keep going during desperate times and the belief that I could make it happen. There were many doubts every day, but by putting in the maximum effort, I maintained hope and belief in my potential. It’s not about the strokes or the game. It’s more about the human being. I want people to remember me for the love and passion I showed every time I stepped onto the court.”
