By TERRY MADDAFORD
Don't come looking for Gustavo Kuerten in his trademark Brazilian yellow uniform at next week's open.
In a switch from his preferred colours, the ever-popular Kuerten will step out at the Heineken Open with a fresh new look as he continues his comeback from the injuries which curtailed his playing schedule in early 2002.
Kuerten arrived in Auckland early this morning and is likely to play his first-ever match at the ASB Tennis Centre on Tuesday.
"I'm looking forward to playing in Auckland for the first time," said Kuerten. "I'm trying to get back on track and soon as possible. I'm looking forward to playing well and winning some matches.
"I have great hopes for the new season.
"This time I have taken more time off and will now use this tournament as an important part of my preparation for the Australian Open.
"But, I know it will not be easy," said the 26-year-old from Florianopolis in Brazil. "Like myself, there are many top players looking for good matches before the Australian Open.
"The field is very tough but every match I can win will be very good for me."
To his huge band of fans worldwide "Guga" is God.
"The Brazilian people inspire me. I'm sure it will be the same in Auckland. I have five or six friends who live in Auckland. I'm sure you'll see them and their flags."
With his well-documented passion for surfing, is he likely to nip out to Piha?
"Not this time. I prefer to stay on the court. Maybe I'll come back another time to go to the beaches and see the city."
Kuerten said playing at sea level would be an advantage.
"They are the same conditions as where I live."
His early-year dream?
"I would like to go on from Auckland and win the Australian Open.
"I'm sure everything will be alright. I'm just going to hang loose and have a good time in Auckland."
Winning in Melbourne seems a bit far-fetched but no one would question his determination or ability.
In six attempts, from 1997, he has come up well short, progressing beyond the first round four times but no further than the second. That is in stark contrast to the French Open where he has won three times.
Despite a disrupted 2002, Kuerten still picked up his 17th ATP title - beating Guillermo Coria in the Brazilan Open final in Costa de Sauipe after the Argentine had held match point.
It was Kuerten's first ATP win in his homeland and followed hip surgery in February and a season continually disrupted by injury.
Not surprisingly, his ranking dropped from No 1 (in December 2000) to 36 - his lowest since 1996.
The winner of $US13.4 million ($25.6 million) since 1995, Kuerten dedicates his tennis career to his late father, Aldo, who died while umpiring a junior match.
He gives all his trophies to his mentally-handicapped younger brother, Guilherme.
Off the court, the Guga Kuerten Institute continues to encourage children in his home city to play tennis.
The institute, with his mother Alice as president, works closely with 480 children who have access to public courts provided by the local federation and who also attend public schools in Florianopolis.
The institute works with special needs children.
Launched in August 2000, the institute continued to grow, he said.
"Even if I'm not present in every action I am always keeping a close eye on everything. Overall we are reaching 6000 people. I am very satisfied that my tennis career is making me able to help a lot of people."
Away from the court, Kuerten, who speaks Portuguese, Spanish and English fluently, and passable French, mixes his time with surfing and playing the guitar.
He rates fellow countrymen the late Ayrton Senna and Pele as his heroes.
In being named Brazil's Athlete of the Year for the third successive year in 2001, he is lauded almost as loudly as those sporting greats.
He will, no doubt, be a hero again next week when he joins the greats to have enthralled Auckland crowds for the past 47 years.