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THE
SCOOP: U.S. OPEN, DAY 10
Kuerten:
Play all sports
By
Sandra Harwitt
tennisreporters.net
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Susan
Mullane
Camerawork USA, Inc.
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FLUSHING
MEADOWS, N.Y., SEPT. 5 – Word
from the Reuters wire service is that kids in Brazil are starting
to favor tennis instead of the national pastime – soccer.
The long feature piece talked about kids in ghetto areas choosing
to hang out at the tennis courts popping up all over the country.
Apparently hitting forehands with a racket is turning out to be
more fun than kicking a soccer ball.
After
winning a 6-4, 6-4, 7-6 (9-7) win over Albert Costa to move into
a U.S. Open quarterfinal for the second time in his career –
he reached that round here in 1999 – Kuerten acknowledged
tennis is becoming tops in Brazil.
“Yes,
I saw this change,” said the world No. 1. “It makes
me very proud. I mean, it’s nice to see at least many kids
wanted to not have the same hair as me, but playing tennis.”
Of
course, tennisreporters.net imagines there are one or two
youngsters in the streets of Brazil who are trying to copy Guga’s
wild hair look. After all, maybe his success is in the look!
In
actuality, Kuerten believes that kids shouldn’t choose tennis
exclusively, but look to all sports.
“I
don’t really recommend that,” said Kuertenm a three-time
French Open titlist. “I didn’t start playing only tennis.
I start playing all around, different sports here and there. That’s
just the easiest way I see to get yourself to socialize … then
friends, [build] a relationship, to respect other guys, try to
grow as a person, too. So I recommend first all the sports and
see if it goes for tennis, then it’s even better.”
And
be sure, Kuerten still is paying close attention to other sports,
even if he isn’t playing them frequently. Tomorrow, the day
before he will play two-time Grand Slam champion Yevgeny Kafelnikov
for a semifinal berth, he will be tuning into the Brazilian soccer
match.
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