Gustavo Kuerten is a former #1 tennis player from Brazil. Between 1997 and 2004, he won at least one tournament each year, however, his life has been far from easy. From an early age his life was marred with tragedy. His younger brother was deprived of oxygen for a long time during his birth and because of this is mentally retarded and suffers from physical disabilities. Because of this, Gustavo Kuerten donates all of his prize money for one tournament each year to an organization in his home town that provides help to people with similar disabilities. He also gives all of his trophies to his younger brother. Also when he was young, Gustavo Kuerten's father died of a heart attack. His father had been an amateur tennis player and at the time of his death was actually umpiring a juniors tennis match. These early events had a great impact on his life. Gustavo Kuerten began playing tennis at the age of six, and was coached by famed tennis coach Oscar Wegner for the next few years. When he turned 14, Gustavo Kuerten replaced Wegner with coach Larri Passos. He turned professional in 1995 at the age of 19, and quickly rose through the ranks to become a top seeded player. Within two years of turning pro, he was the #2 player in Brazil. In 1997 he won the French Open. He also won the French Open in 2000 and 2001. Also in 2000, Gustavo Kuerten became the #1 tennis player in the world. The partnership with coach Larri Passos lasted until 2005 when Gustavo Kuerten and Passos parted ways. Gustavo Kuerten prefers to play on clay surfaces, like many other South American tennis players. Recent years have seen Gustavo Kuerten plagued with injuries and unable to compete at his former levels.