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9. Gustavo
Kuerten
Age:
20
Height:
6'3"
Weight:
180
Birthplace:
Florianopolis,
Brazil
Highest
Rank: 9
(Current)
Career Titles:
1
Best U.S. Open Finish:
This is his first
appearance
You've Got to Have
Faith: "Tennis is only you on the court. Your coach
supports you, but you have
to decide the balls how to play. If you don't
believe in yourself, it is very difficult. So
I start to
believe in myself too much. That's why I'm playing
well."—Kuerten, after winning the 1997 French
Open
No Time like the
Present: Before he won the French, Kuerten had made it as far as
the quarterfinals in only two Tour
events.
Ain't No Mountain High
Enough: Kuerten was ranked No. 66 before the French. He became
the lowest-ranked player ever to win a Grand Slam
tournament.
Nickname:
Guga
Defining
Characteristic: Electric blue and yellow clothing, the colors of
Brazil
10. Marcelo
Rios
Age:
21
Height:
5'8"
Weight:
140
Birthplace:
Santiago,
Chile
Highest Rank:
10 (Current)
Career Titles:
5
Best U.S. Open Finish:
Second round, 1994,
'96
Mr.
Congeniality: At the last two French Opens, Rios has won
Le Citron
("The Lemon"), an "award" given by the
media to its least favorite player. The rude Rios is widely
considered the least popular player on tour. He is known as
much for his appalling manners as for his sublime
talent.
A Bad
Sign: Rios shuns autograph seekers because he thinks collecting
signatures is a stupid
hobby.
Look on the Bright
Side: "A lot of people think he's a waste of space, but I
don't see it that
way.... He loves children and has quite a sense of fun with the
few close friends he has." —Rios's coach, Larry
Stefanki
Hot
Chile: Rios is the first Chilean tennis player to be ranked in
the Top
10.
Profiles by Stephen Thomas
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