Guga Withdraws From Wimbledon

Guga Withdraws From Wimbledon


Photo: Olympikus/Ruschel By Tennis Week
06/10/2004

Three-time Roland Garros champion Gustavo Kuerten has withdrawn from Wimbledon for the third time in the last four years. The former No. 1 announced today he is taking time off from tournament tennis to strengthen his surgically-repaired hip and plans to return to tennis on July 26th at the Tennis Masters Series-Toronto event.

The 27-year-old Brazilian plans to play Cincinnati and the Athens Olympic Games before returning to the United States for the U.S. Open, which begins on August 30th.

"My goal now is to be fully physically recovered and to be in great shape I need, at least, six weeks of intense work," Kuerten said. "I am motivated, playing tennis in a very high level and I know that easing the pain I will be able to be among the best players again. I really want to be ready to play the Masters Series, the Olympics and the U.S. Open, that are the main tournaments for me in the second semester."

During his six-week sabbatical from tennis, Kuerten will be in his hometown of Florianopolis, working with his physical therapist, Mariangela Lima and with coach Larri Passos. On Sunday June 13th, he will fly to Rio de Janeiro, to take part with Brazilian fellows Pele and Ronaldo on the Athens Olympic Torch relay.

The charismatic Kuerten reached the quarterfinals of Roland Garros, falling to David Nalbandian. Though Kuerten has never completely felt comfortable on grass courts, he did reach the Wimbledon quarterfinals in 1999. A year ago, Kuerten lost in the second round of the grass-court Grand Slam.

Gustavo Kuerten's Summer Schedule

July 26th – ATP Tennis Masters Series Toronto
August 1st – ATP Tennis Masters Series Cincinnati
August 16th – Athens Olympics
August 30th – U.S. Open

That's a shame to hear :sad:

Fuck. :sad: I hope he plays like he played during RG after Wimbledon is over.

Good move Guga. Don't further injure that back. It sounded so painful when he talked about it after his match against David at RG. :(

Was kind of expecting this news. Rest up well Guga and come back renewed.

It will be sad that we wont witness Guga at Wimbledon but hopefully he can now recover and get back to his old self come the American hard court season.

I won´t miss you (at least in grass).
:wavey:

Expect Wertheim to give him an F again in Wimbledon mid-term grades.

Guggie :sad:

If there was going to be a slam or time that Guga was going to withdraw from, it was most likely going to be Wimbledon. And I totally don't blame the guy especially when you just had major injuries and are starting to come back strongly. Wise decision to save for the gruelling hardcourt season! And nice to hear that Guga will be coming to my city and country and playing my tournament. haha ;)

Good decision by Guga. Playing with injuries might not only be bad physically, but sometimes it might be mentally agonising.

Sad, but a good decision though

Good decision. Wimbledon is not really the tournament where he can do a lot of damage. So it's better for him to rest and try to do as good as possible in a few selected tournaments.
I am convinced that a healthy pain-free Guga is still a threat to everyone.

probably a good decision, but still a shame he is not there..

I am not sad b/c Guga seems to be pretty set in believing this is best for him. He sounds really determined. So I will say, Happy Endeavours Gus

and the Olympic torch!! He is among f***ing Pele, and then Ronaldo-- Guga, you are the man

Guggie :sad:

Esquimaux, your avatar is ... hot :devil: :aplot: :haha:

i agree, it's a good decision, even though it's disappointing.

I hope he can make a comeback from these problems. It is tough watching great champions (like Seles on the women's side) struggle with injuries like this.

Yeah Esquimaux, your avatar is LOL

Wow, esquimaux, what an avatar!!!!