Updated: January 6, 2008, 5:51 PM ET
Past French Open champ will retire after limited season
SAO PAULO, Brazil -- Gustavo Kuerten will play his farewell season in 2008.
The 31-year-old Brazilian plans to play only in a few tournaments before retiring, but said he wants Roland Garros to be among them. "I want to play in tournaments that are special for me," Kuerten said in Friday editions of the Estado de S. Paulo newspaper. "I've been practicing and there are only a few details to finalize my schedule." He also was expected to play in the Brasil Open and the Master Series in Miami. Last year, Kuerten said for the first time that he may retire from tennis if he fails to stay competitive in 2008. The 680th-ranked Kuerten had a 2-7 singles record last season, his first regular play on tour since hip surgery in September 2004. The Brazilian, ranked No. 1 in 2000, won the last of his 20 titles in February 2004. He won the French Open in 1997, 2000 and 2001.
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press
