Farewell Guga

Thank you for 11 years of Samba, Smiles, and Brazilian Sunshine.

Tonight night I went to the farewell party for Guga in Paris. It was a private party for friends and family. No press was allowed. It was a night for fun. And what a night it was! No one can party like the Brazilians. No sad goodbye’s at this party. It was a celebration of Guga’s years in Paris.

The chic VIP room on the Champs Elysee was the setting. Guests were greeted with flutes of champagne on arrival. Tables glittered with candles and bottles of French wine. Music from a Brazilian Band filled the air. Videos of Guga’s play at Roland Garros were projected along one wall. Wow, impressive. Wonderful.

Guga arrived clad in white sweater, black jeans, that great curly hair, and wonderful smile. I turned to the girls standing next to me and ask, “Who is cuter than Guga?” NO ONE was the unanimous reply!

It was Guga’s night and he was the star, but in typical Guga fashion, you would never know he was the guest of honor. He arrives with no fanfare, no entourage, no escort, mingles with friends, laughs, chats, play’s guitar with the band. Through all of Guga’s fame and adulation, he always remained the same simple, friendly, nice guy, this, I’m sure is what makes us all love him.

Players and friends from around the world gathered for this celebration. Guga’s best friend, Ecuadorian, Nicolas LaPentti came by even though he had a match the next day. The French were represented by Cedric Pioline, Olivier Patience, Richard Gasquet, Jean Phillipe Fleurian, and Mary Pierce. Spain’s Tommy Robredo, former player Karim Alami, from Morocco ( better known among women on the tour as, “ Karim the Dream” ( pronounced Ka reem to rhyme with Dream” Argentina’s Hernan Gumy, ( another heartbreaker, who the girls dubbed “yummy gummy” took part in the festivities.

I remember the first time I saw Guga play. He came striding out on court, curls bouncing, resembling a one of those bobble head dolls, and I thought, “ Who is this guy? Interesting, makes good pictures. I’m really liking him.” He started winning, one match, then another, I kept saying,

“ Wouldn’t it be great if he won?” Of course everyone thought that was a totally mad idea since he was 66 in the world at that time. Well, he did win, defeating Spain’s Sergi Bruguera in the final. The celebration was historic. Brazilian fans sambaing around Roland Garros, drums beating out the rhythms of their native county.

Then another big win in 1999. That was the year of the big celebration party at the Ritz Carlton, dancing and revelry going into the next morning. Many of the same people who were at that party 9 years ago were also at the party last night. Marcello and Guga entertained playing guitar and singing in 1999 to celebrate Guga’s second win, and then again to celebrate his career in 2008. This is the kind of loyalty this very special man inspires. We will miss him dearly, but we will always be thankful for eleven years of wonderful memories.

Guga has a bright sun tattooed on his hand. He said that is so he will always have the sunshine with him. In these troubled and often negative times, it’s good to remember that there are people like Gustavo Kuerten who will always bring sunshine into the world around him.