Kuerten Still Not Retired

Guga's trying the challenger series in Paraguay next. 

At least when he finally does retire he'll be really, really, really certain there was nothing more he could have done to extend his career.

From the AP: Kuerten open for business again

Three-time French Open champion Gustavo will play in a Challenger Series event in Paraguay next week, his first singles tournament since February.

Kuerten's last match was in Brazil's Davis Cup tie against Sweden in September. He only played the doubles match, losing in four sets.

"I'm very excited and motivated," Kuerten said. "Playing in this tournament will help me a lot."

Kuerten's Out of the US Open

I miss Guga (News/Posts) as much as the next person, and it saddens me to say it, but retire, already! I doubt we'll be seeing any more of Gustavo Kuerten on the court. Here's the story.

Kuerten Pulls Out of Miami and Davis Cup Because of Hip

From Tennis Week: Guga Withdraws From Miami

A recurrence of his chronic hip pain has forced former No. 1 Gustavo Kuerten to withdraw from next week's Nasdaq-100 Open on Key Biscayne and Brazil's Davis Cup tie against host Ecuador set for April 7-9th. The 2000 Key Biscayne runner-up to Pete Sampras, Kuerten is considering his competitive future in the aftermath of this latest setback.

"I don't feel well enough yet to play competitively," Kuerten said. "Lots of aspects have improved in the past few months, but I must find more stability."

The three-time French Open champion underwent his second arthroscopic surgery on his hip on September 21st, 2004 at the Center of Sports Medicine in Pittsburgh. Bone spurs blocking Kuerten's hip movement were removed and the anterior capsule of the hip was tightened to strengthen the joint’s stability, however Kuerten has still been hampered by hip problems and has suggested he will consider calling it quits at the end of this year if he cannot fully regain his health.

Kuerten's Season Doesn't Start Well

From the AP: Ghem ousts crowd favourite from Brazil Open

Andre Ghem of Brazil on Tuesday downed countryman and crowd favourite Gustavo Kuerten 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the first round of the $380 000 (about R2,3-million) Brazil Open tennis tournament.

"I am very happy for having won, but at the same time... I am somewhat sad for having defeated an idol," the 23 year-old Gehm said.

Guga Granted Wildcard to Nasdaq

Someone finally took pity on Gustavo Kuerten.

From Tennis Week: Guga Gains Key Biscayne Wildcard

The rhythmic pounding of the drums will reverberate throughout the Crandon Park Tennis Center  next month — Guga will return to the  Nasdaq-100 Open. The Key Biscayne tournament  has awarded a main draw wildcard to 2000 tournament finalist Gustavo "Guga" Kuerten, tournament director Adam Barrett announced.

"I am excited about the news of the wild card," said Kuerten. "The Nasdaq-100 Open has always been one of my favorite tournaments and I am happy to know I will be able to play, It is one of the most important of the season and it is one that all the players look forward to."...

Kuerten's Late Season Start Gets Even Later

From the AP: Kuerten withdraws from ATP event in Chile because of ankle injury

Three-time French Open champion Gustavo Kuerten has withdrawn from the US$380,000 (?310,000) ATP Vina del Mar tournament in Chile after twisting his ankle during practice.

The 29-year-old Kuerten, who following hip surgery in September 2004 has fallen to 291st in the ATP rankings, said he injured his ankle during a training session in Brazil on Thursday.

Kuerten said the injury wasn't serious and that he should begin practicing again next week. The Vina del Mar tournament starts Monday.

"It was a pity this happened right now," Kuerten said. "I was ready to compete."

Guga's Vogue Photos

I know someone here wanted to see the photos of Gustavo Kuerten's photoshoot in the December Vogue.  His website has posted some here.  I have to vote for the Guga with the surfing dog photos as my favorite.  Actually, as far as Vogue photography is concerned the pictures are pretty normal (and I mean that in a good way).

Guga Makes Cover of Brazilian Vogue

You can see the cover shot on the ATP site here.  Usual weird Vogue photography but I think Guga at least made out better than Maria Sharapova.

From Tennis Week: Guga Graces Cover of Brazilian Vogue

Gustavo Kuerten has been a role model for Brazilian players and now he's a fashion model in Brazilian Vogue. The three-time French Open champion hit the newsstands all over Brazil as Guga graces the cover of the December issue of Vogue RG Brazil.

Guga, who is playing the Copa Argentina in Buenos Aires this week in preparation for the 2006 season, recently launched his own fashion brand and store Guga Kuerten. 

On the eve of the launching, Guga spent two days shooting for Vogue, one in a studio in São Paulo and another one at one of his favorites beaches, in Florianopolis, Praia Brava.

"For me it was a first time experience, taking pictures with my own clothes," Kuerten said. "It was different, very tiring — almost eight hours in the studio, but also fun and I enjoyed it. I hardly do this kind of stuff, cause it takes a lot of time and I am always practicing, and busy with my tennis, but when I was approached by Vogue, I thought about it and I knew they were going to do something special and the result is really amazing."

Kuerten to Launch Clothing Line

This is one way to get the last laugh when all of your previous clothing sponsors decide that you're a has-been and let their deals with you lapse.  And on a more on-court note, note the end of the article where it states that Kuerten won't play the Australian circuit in 2006.

From Tennis Week: Kuerten's Clothes Line

Some players shed sweat on the court, but Gustavo Kuerten has always exuded his own sense of style. You may never possess Kuerten's brilliant backhand, but you will be able to wear his clothes on court.

The man who transformed the red clay of Roland Garros into a canvas where he traced a huge heart after collecting his third French Open championship in 2001 is putting his heart, spirit and artistic talent into a new venture. The three-time Roland Garros champion will launch his own fashion label, aptly titled "Guga Kuerten" on November 30th in his native Florianopolis, Brazil...

The 29-year-old Kuerten's clothing line includes the tennis clothes he will wear on court, beach wear, surf wear, and polo shirts. A smaller line of social clothes, bearing the label "Mr. Kuerten" will also be unveiled at the launch part. The charismatic Kuerten supplied many of the ideas for the cut, color and fit of the clothes, which are primarily for men. The women's line consists solely of of beachwear at the moment. Guga, who previously wore Diadora and Olympikus clothes on court, will wear his own brand now...

"This week, Guga is in Florianopolis practicing and Ricardo Mello joined him for practice," Diana Gabanyi, Kuerten's communications director and surrogate sister told Tennis Week today. "He has been doing a lot of work in practice and the hip is feeling much better and stronger. He will keep practicing for the next few weeks and play a couple of exhibitions in December."..

At this point, Kuerten is not planning to play the Australian Open. He plans to launch his 2006 campaign on clay on January 30th in Viña del Mar, followed by Brazil's Davis Cup tie vs. Peru (February 6th), before playing clay-court tournaments in Buenos Aires (February 13th), Costa do Sauipe (February 20th) and Acapulco (February 27th).

Kuerten Ends His Season

Gustavo Kuerten has announced on his website that his 2005 season is over (I think they use a computer to generate the English translation on his site so please excuse the grammar).

"I do not play anymore tournaments this year. I start my pre-season in the middle of october and pratice to 3 months, getting stronger to be at top in 2006. I still need to practice a lot, but eachtime things are starting to happen to me. It was an atypical year, but I end this period happy with my recovery process. I developed a lot and I feel in a good level close to where I want to reach. I think that if I was playing direct in the circuit I would be in the top 100 level and nothing is going to get in my way, I have everything to keep developing and be at top."

Kuerten last played in Brazil's recent 3-2 Davis Cup victory over Uruguay in which he won his first singles match and the doubles, but had to pull out of the dead rubber singles with a foot injury.  "I injured my foot and I was not managing to step right, specially when I serve. I hope that it is nothing that it is going to bother me. I will take care well and rest in these two weeks of break," said Guga.

Guga Update

Gustavo Kuerten and his recovering hip will be playing on the Brazilian Davis Cup team when it faces Uruguay this weekend.  From Xinhua: Kuerten wishes to stand out in Davis Cup

According to the article, he's still going with the story that although he doesn't know if he will ever play like he did in his French Open glory days, he still feels that he'll return to a high level of play.  And he claims the criticism from the Brazilian press (saying he should retire) doesn't bother him much.

And Guga's official site has Kuerten's reaction after arriving in Uruguay. He hasn't been to Uruguay since his rookie tennis days and was recalling some of those times. 

A Davis Cup Shellacking

I don't pay much (well, any) attention to the lower group Davis Cup ties, so I didn't notice this score from the Brazil - Netherlands Antilles tie this weekend: Ricardo Mello (BRA) d. David Josepa (AHO) 60 60 60. 

Ouch.  That's got to be discouraging.  And the rest of the team didn't do much better. 

Tennis Week has  a story on the tie focusing on Gustava Kuerten's return to Davis Cup play in the tie.

Kuerten Not the Kuerten of Old

No magic today for 3-time French Open champion Gustavo Kuerten, not like last year when he shockingly upset Roger Federer in the second round.  This year he fell to David Ferrer 3-6, 0-6, 4-6, 1-6. 

But Guga says, don't worry, he'll be back.

"I hope to play three, four or even five more French Opens.  I feel like I have the capacity and the feeling to play well again and be strong as before, I have to make sure I can do all I can and see if I become a great player once again."

As for now, he confirmed he won't play Wimbledon (wise decision - he rarely showed up there when he was healthy) and instead will continue training with new coach Hernan Gumy whom he began working with a few weeks prior to the French Open.  But he's not quite sure where they'll be training because that depends on the schedule of Guillermo Canas, who is Gumy's main client.  Canas whipped French phenom Gael Monfils today in straight sets so I guess they'll be in Paris for at least a while longer. 

Guga also mentioned that he liked training with Guillermo Canas because Canas has also  been through the surgery recuperation experience, although in his case it was wrist surgery. 

I did happen to catch Brad Gilbert saying on ESPN today that he had watched Guga practice for a while the other day and it looked like Guga couldn't move at all.  Of course Gilbert is about the opposite of a reliable source, but an eyewitness account is an eyewitness account.  I haven't seen Guga play since his comeback so it's hard to judge. 

Gustavo Kuerten French Open Preview

The French Open preview articles keep on coming.  Today ESPN has a feature on Gustavo Kuerten: Guga refuses to give up  In it Guga gives his rationale for undergoing his second hip surgery:

"That's the blood keeps you living," Kuerten said. "That's what makes you wake up and be enthusiastic and give your best. That's the way I like to live. I could have easily retired, went home and enjoyed life in Brazil. But I love to play tennis. My personal challenge is to feel better, enjoy the game and play like I did before."

"I took my chances.  It was my only chance to play like before. I'm not 100 percent sure if it will work out, but it gave me hope. I didn't want to keep playing with my ranking in the 20s or 30s. I'm not saying I need to get back to No. 1, but I want to be able to play free, enjoy it and not just be thinking about my hip."

Guga Hires New Coach

Gustavo Kuerten has decided he doesn't enjoy traveling without a coach so much after all and will work with Argentine Hernan Gumy until the French Open.  He will be sharing Gumy with Argentine player Guillermo Canas. 

His spokeswoman says, "He needed extra motivation during practices ahead of Roland Garros.  If it works out, they may decide to stay together longer."

And Guga posted his own message on his website.  "Gumy is going to help me till I go to Paris. I think is nice and a good way of keeping me motivated at practice. He coaches Guillermo Canas also, and in this moment I am part of the group."

Gumy is just 33 years old and retired from the tour in 2001.

Kuerten Has No Chance at French Open

Don't yell at me, I'm not the one who said it - he did.

After losing to Tim Henman 3-6, 3-6 in the first round in Rome Gustavo Kuerten said about his French Open chances, "I think it's going to be tough for me to do something, even winning a couple of matches.  I don't see myself going further than the quarter-finals, semi-finals, something like that...My physical condition is at 50 per cent and that's too low."

But he's still optimistic about his comeback. 

"I'm feeling better and there are plenty of good signs for me. Every week I feel I'm improving and that's crucial for my motivation.  I think the idea now is to go out and try to play the same way I played four or five years ago and sooner or later I will find my game."

So having declared himself out of the running for the title, who does he think will take it?  For the moment Guga's going with Rafael Nadal. "He's going to be one of the players to beat," he said. "He's really had a phenomenal start to the year and he's so comfortable on clay. There's no doubt that he has a good chance."

A Happy Loser

From Reuters: Kuerten happy despite Monte Carlo defeat

Triple French Open champion Gustavo Kuerten was able to look on the bright side after a first-round defeat by Mario Ancic at the Monte Carlo Masters on Tuesday.

Guga's Comeback Hits the Skids

From the BBC: Kuerten suffers a crushing defeat

Gustavo Kuerten's first tournament since September came to an abrupt end with a 6-2 6-0 defeat by Alberto Martin at the Valencia Open.

"There are still a lot of things I have to do better to match a player like Beto (Martin)," said Kuerten.

"Today, he didn't give me a chance to run the match. He moved me well from one side of the court to the other."

Gustavo Kuerten Audioclip

The Valencia Open website has an audioclip of Guga Kuerten from just before the tournament talking about his expectations (in Spanish).  Who knew his Spanish was so good?  These tennis players put me to shame.

Just Like Old Times

I guess Guga's hip really is feeling better.  He had no trouble dispatching Olivier Rochus in the first round at Valencia. 

From Tennis Week: Guga Returns With Win In Valencia

Bringing a bit of sunstroke on every swing of  his racquet, Gustavo Kuerten made a bright return to tournament tennis today.  In his first match since a seven-month recovery from right hip surgery, the former No. 1 dismissed fourth-seeded Oliver Rochus 6-2, 6-4, in the opening round of the Valencia Open.

Finding his footing immediately on his favored red clay, Kuerten was in command from the outset.

We're not talking Kim Clijsters territory yet, but still it's a good start.

Guga's Back

Gustavo Kuerten  makes his return from his second hip surgery this week in Valencia.  He doesn't have the easiest draw, facing Belgian Olivier Rochus in the first round (he'll have the height advantage anyway).

The ATP's Deuce Magazine (which I don't have) has a feature article on Kuerten but they've published an excerpt in their weekly newsletter:

Deuce: Has it been difficult to remain positive with your injury troubles in recent years?

Kuerten: I wouldn't say that.  Even after my first surgery, I had great results throughtout the two and a half years between the first and second one.  I won some tournaments on clay, hard courts, indoor.  I reached the final in Indian Wells.  I beat Federer too, and enjoyed good results last year up to Roland Garros.