Gustavo Kuerten Quotations

My goal now is to be fully recovered and to be in great shape I need, at least, six weeks of intense work,

Right now, its very tight. But, I think I expected a little bit that this would happen because playing two days ago, and even this morning, I wasn't feeling 100 percent. I was feeling a lot of tightness in my body.

I don't feel well enough yet to play competitively. Lots of aspects have improved in the past few months, but I must find more stability.

I have a lot of plans for the year and I don't want to jeopardize those by doing something foolish in one day of play.

I was feeling a lot of tightness in my body,

I was really looking forward to playing in New Haven again, but unfortunately the pain on my neck hasn't completely gone away and I am not able to give my best on the court,

I still don't feel ready to compete at a high level. I have undergone exams this past week, and my hip still lacks stability. I will spend the upcoming weeks in the U.S. undergoing treatment.

It was a very weird match with lots of ups and downs. I started playing very strong but couldn't keep the level I had in the first set. I need to get used to be playing at my highest again day after day, in tough matches like that. It is hard to keep my concentration, which is probably one of the most important part of the game, and the element that failed me today.

For me, every moment is a different situation. Maybe in 2000, '99, I could come here and win a match, it would be one match for me, not a good result. But right now, it's important because I'm able to play another match. Basically, I have no contracts, so I try to find different shirts. In Brazil, I have a friend that is making them for me. Every tournament I'm using a different shirt.

It was a pity this happened right now. I was ready to compete.

At the end of the second set, it got very tight. The trainer helped me out a little bit. ... I was able to play well in the third set, but, unfortunately, I couldn't serve the same way. And that's probably the best part of my game.

I'm being able to practice again, which is a good sign, but I can't rush things. There's a long time before the tournament. We'll have to see how I improve.

I played two very different sets. I had a lot of chances at the beginning of the second set that I couldn't take advantage of. When you have a player that has been in against the best players and you gives him such chances, it definitely makes things more complicated.

I am 29 and if by the end of the season I haven't rediscovered my top form, I will stop playing.

I feel better for not going to Acapulco, but I had hoped to be better prepared by this stage... It would be a shame to use an invitation if I am not yet in the best physical condition.

Finally my competitive spirit has come alive and I'm winning again.

It's always great to play at home. I won here last year and it's great to start with a win like this today. The first match was difficult and I thought it was step in the right direction.

And even though we don't have the professional relationship anymore, the love and friendship we have for each other will remain. He is like a father to me and I hope we both keep succeeding in our careers.