Gustavo Kuerten: A Tennis Legend’s Legacy and the Rise of João Fonseca

Gustavo Kuerten: The Clay Court Brazilian King

Gustavo "Guga" Kuerten stands as one of Brazil’s greatest sporting icons, a tennis legend whose name is synonymous with Roland Garros and clay-court mastery. Born on September 10, 1976, in Florianópolis, Brazil, Kuerten’s journey from a relatively unknown player to a three-time French Open champion is a tale of talent, tenacity, and charisma.

Kuerten burst onto the global stage in 1997, when, ranked 66th in the world, he stunned the tennis world by winning the French Open. At just 20 years old, he defeated a gauntlet of former champions—Thomas Muster, Yevgeny Kafelnikov, and Sergi Bruguera in the final—to claim his first Grand Slam title. This victory made him the first Brazilian man to win a Grand Slam singles title and the lowest-ranked men’s champion in the tournament’s history at the time. His unexpected triumph sparked "Gugamania" in Brazil, igniting a surge of national pride and interest in tennis.

Kuerten’s love affair with Roland Garros continued as he clinched the title again in 2000 and 2001, joining an elite group of players with three or more French Open wins in the Open Era. His 2000 season was particularly remarkable: he won five titles, including the Tennis Masters Cup in Lisbon, where he bested Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi back-to-back, securing the year-end World No. 1 ranking. This feat made him the first South American man to finish a season atop the ATP standings, a position he held for 43 weeks across his career.

In total, Kuerten amassed 20 ATP singles titles and eight doubles titles, earning over $14.8 million in prize money. Known for his flamboyant style—often sporting bright yellow and blue outfits reflecting Brazil’s colors—and his devastating one-handed backhand, he dominated on clay, winning prestigious titles like the Rome Masters (1999) and Monte Carlo (1999, 2000, 2001). However, persistent hip injuries plagued his later years, leading to multiple surgeries and a retirement from top-level tennis in May 2008. In 2012, his contributions were immortalized with induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame, and in 2016, he carried the Olympic torch for the Rio Games, cementing his status as a national hero.

Kuerten’s Current Life

Today, at 48, Kuerten lives a quieter life in Florianópolis, far from the roar of the tennis crowds. While he stepped away from the professional circuit, he remains deeply connected to the sport and his community. In 2000, he founded the Instituto Guga Kuerten, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting people with disabilities in Santa Catarina, inspired by his late brother Guilherme, who suffered from cerebral palsy. The institute has aided over 16,000 individuals and raised significant funds, reflecting Kuerten’s commitment to giving back.

Kuerten occasionally appears at tennis events, offering commentary or support for emerging players. In a recent interview with CLAY in February 2025, he expressed awe at the modern pressures of the sport, marveling at the attention surrounding Brazil’s latest tennis sensation, João Fonseca. “I certainly wouldn’t have won [Roland Garros in 1997]” under today’s spotlight, he quipped, highlighting his admiration for the younger generation’s resilience.

João Fonseca: Brazil’s Rising Star

Enter João Fonseca, an 18-year-old from Rio de Janeiro who is being hailed as Brazil’s most promising tennis talent since Kuerten. Born on August 21, 2006, Fonseca has already made waves in the tennis world. In 2023, he won the US Open boys’ singles title, and in 2024, he turned professional, quickly climbing the ATP rankings. By March 24, 2025, he’s notched significant milestones: his first ATP title in Buenos Aires, a quarterfinal run at the Rio Open (making him the second-youngest player to reach that stage in an ATP 500 event since 2009), and a historic win at the 2025 Australian Open against world No. 9 Andrey Rublev.

Fonseca’s aggressive baseline game, powerful forehand, and fearless attitude have drawn comparisons to Kuerten, though he’s keen to carve his own path. “Guga is an idol, not only for Brazilian tennis players but for the entire Brazilian people,” Fonseca said in Buenos Aires in February 2025. “But I want to be João. I want to write my own story.” His maturity and ambition shone through as he claimed the Next Gen ATP Finals title in December 2024 and continued his ascent in 2025, reaching a career-high ranking in the top 70.

Djokovic’s Praise for Fonseca

Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion, has been among Fonseca’s most prominent admirers. After Fonseca’s stunning upset of Rublev at the 2025 Australian Open, Djokovic praised the teenager’s potential. “I congratulated him not only on the win last night, but also on everything he has been doing the last six to 12 months,” Djokovic said in January 2025. “I’ve been following his rise, and I just love how he plays the big points. Courageous, very clean hitter, all-around player.”

Djokovic went further, drawing a direct line to Kuerten’s legacy: “It’s exciting times for Brazil, but also for the whole tennis world. Such a young player to be able to play so good on a big stage is impressive. He has the potential to be really a superstar of this game, no doubt about it. Coming from Brazil also, one of the biggest countries in the world, where they love tennis, love sports, very passionate people. It would be amazing for our sport to have a Brazilian superstar, the first really big superstar since Gustavo ‘Guga’ Kuerten.”

In March 2025, ahead of Indian Wells, Djokovic reiterated his belief in Fonseca’s future, calling him a “future superstar” and noting his professionalism and balance. Though Fonseca’s run at Indian Wells ended in the second round against Jack Draper, his electrifying play and bold demeanor—exemplified by his post-Rublev call for “respect from other players”—signal a bright future.

A New Chapter for Brazilian Tennis

Kuerten’s achievements laid the foundation for Brazilian tennis, and now Fonseca is picking up the baton. While Kuerten reflects on his legacy with humility and supports the next generation, Fonseca’s rapid rise suggests he could one day rival or surpass Guga’s accomplishments. With Djokovic’s endorsement and a nation behind him, Fonseca is poised to write a new chapter in Brazil’s tennis story—one that could echo Kuerten’s triumphs on the clay of Paris and beyond.