What memories do you have of Gustavo Kuerten, now that he's retired?

Question

He was one of my favorite players personally, he was easy to idolize.. especially for impressionable young kids who loved tennis.. and it kinda sucks that's he's out now..most of my favorites are anyway..

Let us know what you think or remember best about him

Answer 1

None i was really young when he was playing but i heard he`s a really good clay court player. Sooo just congratulate him and wish him all the best for his future!!!

Vamos Rafa x*x

Answer 2

I was about the ask the exact same question. My fondest memories are of those French Open titles-especially his last one when he won it as the world number 1-The first South American ever to have topped the rankings. It is a shame that since 2001 he has been plagued with injuries most notably the recurring hip problems that cut short his playing career when it seemed he would achieve so much more. It is fitting that he finished at Roland Garros with terrific support where the fans love him dearly. Its a shame he didn't get any match practise prior to the tournament and that he couldn't make it through a couple of rounds. A great player.

Answer 3

the geat precious memory I have of him is his is memorable match (his very last one) at the French Open on May 25, 2008. It was very emotional.

(this is the first time I had ever heard if him- I've only been a TRUE tennis fan for about 2 years now)

Answer 4

None. I don't recall his games.

Answer 5

the weird curly hair

that weird yell when he hit the ball

and the heart he drew in the sand when he won the french open.

Answer 6

The Memories that I have were his 3 French Open Wins. As a little kid (8-9) I watched him play matches in the FO. He was a great tennis player not to be forgotten ANYTIME soon.

Answer 7

it's so funny,weird funny,because it was when he won in 00 and 01 that i really began to watch tennis religiously--RG being the one i fell in love with. i will remember him as genuinely happy,relaxed guy with all the love of france embedded onto him. his personality is a rarity and will always be in a world filled with seriousness,anger and tantrums.....but here was this guy who never did any of that...he was always positive. and even through the bad times with the hip problem that kept him out of play and out of that former form,he never relinquished.

as far as game style,a superb clay courter(obviously). he had one of the best backhands in the biz. he also had the sneakiest,most precise drop shots i had seen. he will be missed.....he was our last king of clay.

Answer 8

that heart that he drew on the ground after winning the RG. i think what is so loveable with this guy was his positive disposition. you can't fault him as a racquet slamming, hot-tempered and cocky player especially from among those who had not won 3 FO trophies.  he just lighten up the crowd with his presence. no wonder why we just love him.

Answer 9

He is cool in the court. He has a s**y backhand and he has won 3 FO men's single's titles

Answer 10

Maybe the best moment was Lisbon Master Cup 2000, when he won matches against Agassi, Kafelnikov and Pete Sampras in the same week, hard surface, conquering the title and becoming the first of the man's ATP ranking.

But, that heart drawn on the court, was the most striking.

We'll never see a player like him. Guga is one of the most nice and incredible players in the modern tennis and all of us that we had the opportunity to enjoy your game and grace, only have a word for you:

M E R C Y !!!!

O B R I G A D O!!!!

T H A N K Y O U !!!!

G R A C I A S...

...or, get to see him again 5 or 6 years from now, in Newport, RI when he's inducted into the Tennis Hall of Fame.

Sorry for my english.

Answer 11

I remember thinking "Who the P***k is this guy?" when he first took the tennis world by storm back in 1997, winning the French Open (the first of 3 titles there) as an unseeded player, with his big floppy hair.  His personality and style were so free and easy. He was always smiling, and his backhand was amazing.  I also remember when he won the 2000 Masters Cup in Portugal, beating Agassi and Sampras in succession to finish the year #1.  The last memory I have of him playing was when he beat Federer in the 3rd round of the 2004 French Open in straight sets, just completely owning him that day.  He was a great player, and is already missed.