Gustavo Kuerten, a former World No. 1 tennis player, has been elected to the International Tennis Hall of Fame, as announced on Thursday.
What happened?
Kuerten will be inducted into the Hall of Fame on July 14, alongside other notable figures such as Manuel Orantes and Mike Davies.
He received at least 75 percent support in a vote from an international media panel.
Why it matters for Gustavo Kuerten
This induction is a significant honor for Kuerten, who spent 43 weeks atop the world rankings and won the French Open in 1997, 2000, and 2001.
Kuerten's 1997 triumph in Paris was the first Grand Slam title by a Brazilian since Maria Bueno won the 1966 US Open.
What comes next?
Kuerten, now 35, will be joining an esteemed group of tennis legends, including Bjorn Borg, Pete Sampras, and Andre Agassi, whom he has cited as inspirations.
He becomes the second Brazilian in the Hall of Fame after Maria Bueno, who was inducted in 1978.
And Kuerten's induction is a testament to his impressive career, which includes a year-end World No. 1 ranking in 2000.
But Kuerten's success is not limited to his on-court achievements, as he has also been recognized for his contributions to the sport.
So, Kuerten's induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame is a well-deserved honor.
Kuerten praised the influential players upon his career, including legends Bjorn Borg, Pete Sampras, John McEnroe, and Andre Agassi.
He also acknowledged the impact of Brazilian tennis players, such as Maria Bueno and Thomas Koch, on his career.
As Kuerten said, "During my career in tennis I was fortunate to have many victories, but the Hall of Fame induction is a special one."
Kuerten's career statistics are impressive, with 20 ATP titles and a career-high ranking of World No. 1 on December 4, 2000.
He won 20 of his 28 ATP finals and had a winning record against several top players, including Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi.
Kuerten's induction into the Hall of Fame is a recognition of his outstanding contributions to the sport of tennis.