The International Tennis Hall of Fame has named Gustavo Kuerten as a Global Ambassador for the organization. Kuerten, a three-time Roland Garros champion and former world No. 1 on the ATP World Tour was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2012, in recognition of his outstanding tennis career. In the new role, Kuerten will play an active role in the Hall of Fame’s effort to preserve and promote the history of tennis, and to engage the global tennis community.

“My induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame was a very special moment for me and my family. When we are competing, we don’t think so much about our legacy, but to look back now and think that my career is forever recognized as an impactful part of our sport’s history, is incredibly humbling and meaningful,” said Kuerten.

He continued, “When I was competing, I was greatly inspired by those who came before me in Brazil – Maria Esther Bueno, who is also in the Hall of Fame, and others like Thomaz Koch. I could not have had my success if I didn’t have them to look up to and to aspire to be like. This is why the Hall of Fame is so important to our sport and why it was important to me to take on this new role. In their work each day, the Hall of Fame is committed to promoting an interest in the history of our sport and it’s most inspiring people. I know first-hand how important it is to have inspiring personalities to look up to, to push you to be your best, and I’m thrilled to have this new opportunity to support the Hall of Fame in that work.”

International Tennis Hall of Fame CEO Todd Martin commented, “We are thrilled to welcome Guga to support the Hall of Fame’s work in this new role. He is a legendary athlete who has truly connected with so many fans around the world over the years. He has a genuine love for our sport, a desire to see it grow and to see its history be preserved and celebrated. We are very pleased to be able to work with Guga to bring the Hall of Fame’s work to the global tennis community.”

Kuerten joins Martina Hingis in the Global Ambassador role for the Hall of Fame. Hingis was named an ambassador in June 2015 and continues in the role, with special events scheduled for her to appear on the Hall of Fame’s behalf in the fall. In his new role, Kuerten will be participating in promotional activities at tennis events around the world on behalf of the Hall of Fame in the year ahead, including special programming in Brazil around tennis events there.

Kuerten is one of 243 people from 21 nations who have received the highest honor in the sport of tennis – induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Kuerten was the world’s No. 1 player for 43 non-consecutive weeks. He burst onto the tennis scene at Roland Garros in 1997, when he, as an unseeded player, overcame three past champions to win his first of three titles there (1997, 2000, 2001). In 2000, Kuerten became the first South American to finish the season ranked world No. 1 in the history of the ATP World Tour rankings (since 1973). Since retiring from competition, Kuerten has focused his time on philanthropic work, primarily through the Institute Guga Kuerten, which offers programming for children and for disabled people. The work is inspired by his late brother, Guilherme, who had cerebral palsy, and who was one of Kuerten’s biggest fans.

In addition to making special appearances on the Hall of Fame’s behalf, Kuerten will also be featured in the Hall of Fame’s marketing campaign, which is focused on showcasing the history of tennis through the inspiring life stories of the Hall of Famers. The campaign runs in digital, print, and social media in tennis media outlets. Additionally, Kuerten will work with the Hall of Fame to produce new digital content to support efforts to engage tennis fans around the world in learning about the sport’s history.

“The International Tennis Hall of Fame is a really important and special place for our sport. When you walk through the museum there, it’s amazing to see all the great champions and memorable moments that our sport has delivered. However,  there are many tennis fans who may not be able to make the trip to Newport, and so I’m thrilled to be working with the Hall of Fame to bring the organization’s mission and message out to fans around the world in a new way,” said Kuerten.

In semi-final action at Roland Garros on Friday, defending champion Stan Wawrinka will try to hit through No. 2 seed Andy Murray while top seed Novak Djokovic, who is now two matches away from completing a career Grand Slam, will take on Dominic Thiem.

Murray comes into the semi-finals with an 8-7 edge in his FedEx ATP Head2Head rivalry with Wawrinka, but the Swiss has won their past three tour-level meetings dating back to 2013. While Murray is playing the best clay-court tennis of his career, beating Djokovic in the Rome final on the eve of Roland Garros, he has yet to win a set against Wawrinka on clay. Murray is bidding to become the first Brit since Bunny Austin in 1937 to reach the final. Wawrinka could become the oldest man since Niki Pilic in 1973 to reach the final.

Djokovic, who holds a 2-0 FedEx ATP Head2Head record against Thiem, is looking to reach his 20^th Grand Slam final. Djokovic has yet to drop a set against the Austrian, but they have never faced off on clay. Both players have been productive in 2016, leading the ATP World Tour in match wins – 42 for Djokovic and 41 for Thiem. Djokovic cruised to a straight-set win against Tomas Berdych in the quarter-finals, while Thiem, who will enter the Emirates ATP Rankings Top 10 on Monday, saw off David Goffin after losing the first set.

Former Champions Vying For Doubles Final Berth

Defending champions Ivan Dodig and Marcelo Melo will take on Spaniards Feliciano Lopez and Marc Lopez for a spot in the doubles final. Lopez/Lopez saved six match points in their quarter-final win over 2014 winners Julien Benneteau and Edouard Roger-Vasselin. Dodig/Melo are looking to become the first team to repeat as champions since Max Mirnyi and Daniel Nestor (2011-12).

Also in contention are two-time champions Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan (2003 & 2013). The Americans, last year’s runners-up, are looking to reach the final for a seventh time. They’ll play ninth seeds Lukasz Kubot and Alexander Peya.

Paes Looking To Cement Legacy In Mixed Doubles

Leander Paes, who will partner Martina Hingis in the mixed doubles final against No. 2 seeds Sania Mirza and Dodig, is bidding to become the third player in the Open Era with a career Grand Slam in both men’s and mixed doubles (Woodbridge & Woodforde). A title would make him and Hingis the second mixed doubles team in the Open Era to complete a career Grand Slam (Riessen/Court). Paes already owns the Open Era male record with 9 mixed doubles titles.

At one stage in his quarter-final against No. 12 seed David Goffin on Thursday at Roland Garros, not even Dominic Thiem himself believed he was going to win.

Facing a set point in the second-set tie-break that could have left him trailing by two sets, Thiem erased Goffin’s chance with a strong forehand and continued to find his form as the match went on. Reeling off nine consecutive games at one stage, the Austrian prevailed in four sets to reach his first Grand Slam semi-final.

“In the entire second set, I didn’t really think that I was going to win this match. He was the better player for the first two sets or at least until the tie-break,” said Thiem. “I didn’t know what to do because he was returning well. He didn’t make any mistakes. I think the tie-break was the highest level I’ve ever played and then things started to turn around.”

Both players struggled at moments to handle the cold and rainy conditions on court. Although Thiem admitted they were less than ideal, he became more comfortable with them as the match progressed.

“It’s strange. It’s the beginning of June and it’s 11 degrees and raining,” said Thiem. “For the first two sets he handled it better, and then with this very special tie-break, things turned around and I started to get better.”

The win on Thursday also ensures that Thiem will make his debut inside the Top 10 of the Emirates ATP Rankings when next week’s standings are released. He is guaranteed to place no lower than No. 7.

Thiem will now play No. 1 seed Novak Djokovic for a place in Sunday’s final. The Serbian leads their FedEx ATP Head2Head rivalry 2-0, with both wins coming in straight sets. The pair have won more matches than anyone else on tour this year, with Djokovic at 42 victories and Thiem at 41.

“It’s going to be unbelievably tough. I think he’s on a different level than all the other players, but I’m still in good shape and the match starts at 0-0,” said Thiem. “All I can do is give all I have and then we will see what happens.”

Despite losing in four sets in the Roland Garros quarter-final on Thursday against Dominic Thiem, No. 12 seed David Goffin showed why he’s been enjoying his best year on tour.

After surviving back-to-back five set matches against Nicolas Almagro and Ernests Gulbis to reach the last eight, it appeared the Belgian was in for an easier day after taking the first set against Thiem and holding a set point in the second set tie-break. After the Austrian erased that set point and Goffin’s 4-2 lead in the third set, the Belgian admitted he ran out of gas in the final stages of the match.

“The balls were soaked with water. The clay was heavy and he was more comfortable during the fourth set,” said Goffin. “He was more aggressive…He had a number of backhand shots along the line that he tried that were in. So he was quite bold, and he succeeded.”

Coming into the match, Goffin led his FedEx ATP Head2Head rivalry against Thiem 5-2, including a third-round win at this year’s Australian Open. Thiem has raised his level since then, though, and Goffin was full of praise for his opponent.

“There is a lot of trajectory in his balls. They are very deep, and he’s really behind the baseline. He hits very strongly and his arm is powerful,” he said. “I don’t know where this comes from, but he has a natural type of strength he has when he hits the balls. When he opens up the angles with his forehand, that’s when it becomes very complicated for all the other players.”

Goffin has plenty of good memories to take from the tournament. The Belgian reached his first Grand Slam quarter-final on his 20^th try. He will also move up to a career-high Emirates ATP Ranking of No. 11 when the new standings are released Monday.

He is next scheduled to compete at ATP World Tour events in Halle and Rosmalen. With 24 wins on tour already this season, the Belgian won’t be short on match play as he gets ready for the grass.

“The conclusions are quite positive even though I’m disappointed after this match,” said Goffin. “It’s the first time I’ve reached the quarter-finals in a Grand Slam. It was a very good tournament…I have gained more confidence, and I’ll continue on grass.”

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic will attempt to win a record-tying sixth title at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals after becoming the first player to qualify for the prestigious season-ending tournament, to be held from 13-20 November at The O2 in London.

Buy Your Tickets

For the second straight year, a quarter-final victory at Roland Garros guaranteed the 29-year-old Serbian his place in the elite eight-man field. He is bidding to complete the career Grand Slam this week in Paris.

Djokovic is the four-time defending champion at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals, and successfully defended his crown last year with victory over six-time champion Roger Federer in the final. He clinched the title for the first time in 2008 when the tournament was held in Shanghai, and has a 27-10 match record since his debut in 2007.

“I look forward to returning there,” said Djokovic. “I love playing at The O2 in front of an enthusiastic crowd, who always supports all of us.”

Chris Kermode, ATP Executive Chairman and President, said: “Novak is in the prime of his career and is enjoying another remarkable season on the ATP World Tour. His record at The O2 speaks for itself as he captured an unprecedented fourth successive crown last year. We look forward to welcoming back the World No.1 and defending champion to London in November.”

The Belgrade native has claimed five titles through the first five months of the season, opening his 2016 campaign with the Qatar ExxonMobil Open trophy in Doha (d. Nadal) and a record-tying sixth Australian Open crown (d. Murray). He established a new record with his 29th ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title, following triumphs at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells (d. Raonic), Miami Open presented by Itau (d. Nishikori) and Mutua Madrid Open (d. Murray). With his fourth-round win at Roland Garros, Djokovic also became the first player in tennis history to earn more than US$100 million in prize money.

The Barclays ATP World Tour Finals has welcomed more than 1.8 million fans to The O2 arena over the past seven years, establishing itself as the biggest indoor tennis tournament in the world since moving to London in 2009. A record 102 million broadcast viewers also tuned in across the eight days of competition in 2015. The ATP announced last year that the event would remain at The O2 through to 2018. The tournament’s partnership with the Lawn Tennis Association and the All England Club has also been extended for the same period. Tickets can be purchased at: www.BarclaysATPWorldTourFinals.com.