By Javier Fauzón and Enrique Cano
There are many amazing stories in the world of tennis over the years that will remain in the minds of the fans, but without a doubt, Marcelo Ríos and ‘Guga’ Kuerten have a very special place in the hearts of the millions of Hispanic fans of the sport.
Marcelo Ríos and Guga Kuerten became two of the most beloved tennis players in Latin America, as they were the first Latinos in the history of the Open era to achieve No. 1 in the ATP ranking.
From Chile to the world
‘El Chino’ Ríos from Chile, broke barriers for future generations, as a Spanish-speaking player dominating the world ATP tennis ranks.
ALSO READ:
- Manu Ginobili, the last great NBA star from Argentina
- Yadier Molina, dean of the Puerto Rican catchers
- Fernando Valenzuela: 40 years later, Fernandomania is alive and well
Marcelo Ríos was the first Latin American-born tennis player to officially reach the top of the ATP ranking, something he achieved on April 30, 1998, more than 23 years ago. Nicknamed “Chino” due to Asian like factions, he had a great career on the circuit with his fantastic tennis play and great talent. Later the Spaniards Carlos Moyá and Rafael Nadal would follow him as Spanish-speaking players at the very top of the tennis world.
Ríos was born in 1975 in Santiago de Chile and as a child displayed great ability with a racket. A lefty with a two-handed backhand, he debuted in the second category on the tour in the 1993 season and the following year turned professional, competing in important tournaments such as Roland Garros, where he was defeated in the second round by the number one play in the world at the time Pete Sampras, but not before putting an attention getting performance at only 18 years old.
“Chino” kept raising his level of play and the proof was in the results. In 1996 after reaching the semi-finals of the Hamburg tournament, a Masters 1000 tournament at that time, he entered in the Top 10 for the first time. The following year he had his first major victory at the Monte Carlo Masters 1000, the fifth trophy for his showcase. The rest is history.
In 1998 Rios played his best tennis, although he lost in the Australian Open final against Czech Petr Korda. A few weeks later he lifted the title at the Indian Wells Masters 1000 and the top spot was just a few steps away. The moment came in Miami, where he easily swept seeded rivals with the finals match against Andre Agassi awaiting. Marcelo Ríos was lethal against the ‘Kid from Las Vegas’, winning convincingly 7-5, 6-3 and 6-4, to wrest the title at 22 years old.
“Chino’s” #1 ranking did not last long however. Sampras dethroned him just four weeks later, although Rios recovered his number one status briefly in August before ‘Pistol’ Pete took over again.
A year later, stardom returned to Marcelo as he was the first player in history to conquer all three Masters 1000 tournaments on clay: Monte Carlo, Hamburg and Rome, and line his shelf with 18 titles in a career that ran from 1994 to 2004.
Ríos added an exciting chapter to the tennis books, although he retired from the sport very young at 29 years. He had his memorable moments and his quality of play is remembered by lovers of this sport, and his two-handed backhand is considered one of the best in history.
So pumped that you throw your racket into the crowd ?@MarceloRios75 reaches World No. 1 for the first time ?#OnThisDay in 1998. pic.twitter.com/dxCxiLusDI
— ATP Tour (@atptour) March 29, 2019
Brazil takes the lead
Even with Ríos still on top and enjoying a brilliant career, there was already talk of a successor to carry the Latin American baton into the future. Brazilian Gustavo ‘Guga’ Kuerten would appear, and in the blink of an eye he would start to write his own chapter as one of the best ever.
Again, a South American would be at the top of the tennis world. Kuerten led the ATP world rankings for 43 weeks between 2000 and 2001 and earned the respect of the tennis fans the world over by reaching for the skies with 20 titles in his run, including three at Roland Garros and the ATP World Tour Finals 2000.
Sadly, Kuerten was unable to show his full potential for an extended period as injuries kept him on the sidelines forcing him to retire at just 31 years.
Prior to their run at the top, both players faced each other in four matches, where each one took two wins, but it would be the Brazilian who would win the most significant victory in the grand final of the ATP Master 1000 in Monte Carlo in 1999.
Despite the rivalry between Ríos and Kuerten, the admiration and respect they had for each other was always high, and on different occasions the native of Santa Catarina has reiterated that the impact of ‘El Chino’ had, led South American tennis to another level, and to him Rios “will always be the greatest.”
“Chino’ appeared to destroy all the numbers, beating Americans and Europeans. Marcelo is the most disruptive figure of my generation in South America, even with me reaching further in ranking or Grand Slam. It was he who carried South American tennis to the top, that is why he has a greater importance”,
acknowledged Guga Kuerten in an interview with Diario AS de Chile.