Triple French Open champion Gustavo Kuerten insists he can be a force in world tennis again despite the hip injury that is threatening to bring an early, heartbreaking finish to his career.
The Brazilian, who seduced the Paris crowd with his memorable Roland Garros victories in 1997, 2000 and 2001, has been a shadow of the player he was before he underwent surgery on his right hip three years ago.
He needed painkillers to get him through to the quarterfinals this year as he tried to become only the second man to win four titles but his dream unravelled at the hands of Argentina’s David Nalbandian, who went through to the semifinals with a 6-2, 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (8/6) win on Wednesday.
”If I didn’t have the problems I have had for the past three years then I could play to the same level as the young guys,” said the 27-year-old.
”I am struggling in one part of my body. It is not a problem of age. It is a question of using one part of my body too much and it gets worse because of the way I play.
”But I will be able to compete with players like Carlos Moya or Gaston Gaudio, players of a similar age to me. They are playing some of the best tennis of their lives.”
Kuerten believes he can cure the problem.
”The pain will only stop if I stop playing, but I don’t want to do that. I have to see how my body is going to respond. I need to try and get more muscle around the area to protect the hip a little more, to get a little more support.”
The Brazilian, who had been just two points away from defeat in his opening match, had knocked out world number one Roger Federer in the third round, a victory that has given him more reason to keep going and to keep finding new challenges.
”I suffer much more when I practise because, when I play, at least there is a challenge. I have goals.
”I am sure I can change things around and then play some unbelievable tennis. I need to find a way to get in better shape so that I don’t face too much pain.
”The problem is in the bone. I need to see if there are other parts which can support the articulation.”
Kuerten had his chances against Nalbandian as he was willed on by a passionate Philippe Chatrier court crowd.
He wasted four set points as well as surrendering a 5-2 lead in the fourth-set tiebreak to the Argentinian, who eventually triumphed after three hours and seven minutes on court.
”It was hard to be thinking about the game all the time. Sometimes it’s hard to forget all the pain you have,” admitted Kuerten. — Sapa-AFP