Kuerten had the heart of a winner

ROLAND GARROS, June 9: The 1997 French Open saw the creation of a new hero as Gustavo Kuerten, unseeded, and ranked No 66 in the world beca...

ROLAND GARROS, June 9: The 1997 French Open saw the creation of a new hero as Gustavo Kuerten, unseeded, and ranked No 66 in the world became the first Brazilian to win a Grand Slam event.

Kuerten beat three champions — Kafelnikov, Muster and Bruguera — who have five French titles between them, to become the most unexpected winner of this very physical tournament. He played more five-setters than he ever had in any event, and won more money than in his entire career. He played the final like a winner, riding his adrenaline wave through the whole match.

Only once, perhaps, did the thought of being French Open champion tighten his nerves a bit and that was towards the end of the second set when at four-all he was down three break-points. For the Spaniard who had won twice in Paris, that could have been the turning point. With all his experience he still couldn’t overcome the young Brazilian who played freely and boldly the entire match.

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In the first set Bruguera looked like a man without a game plan. His ground strokes landed much shorter than his opponent and was continually on the defensive. Once the second set was over, mentally Bruguera was beaten.

Coaches always tell their students that when the match gets tight, keep the ball in play. But it is the one with the strong heart who ends up winning.

It is practically impossible to teach that, and watching Kuerten play the final, showing no signs of any nerves, said a lot about his personality.

(Professional Management Group)