Gustavo Kuerten was the first-ever South American to become a year-end No. 1.
Newport, RI (Sports Network) -
Three-time French Open champion and former world No. 1 Gustavo Kuerten has been elected to the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
The popular clay-court-loving Brazilian star, better known as "Guga," ascended to the top of the men's rankings in December of 2000 and tallied his French Open titles in 1997, 2000 and 2001. He was the first-ever South American to become a year-end No. 1.
"During my career in tennis I was fortunate to have many victories, but the Hall of Fame induction is a special one," said Kuerten, from the announcement in Sao Paulo. "I was inspired by lots of great tennis players, like Maria Esther Bueno and Thomas Koch, two of the biggest Brazilian tennis players, and I have also always greatly admired Hall of Famers, including Borg, McEnroe, Sampras, and Agassi. To be honored in the same category as those great players is amazing.
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