Gustavo Kuerten, more popularly known as 'Guga' officially bid the singles competitions goodbye on Sunday, May 25, 2008 after losing three straight sets to Henri Mathieu. This is his official retirement from the singles competitions although he can still grab a victory in the doubles competition along with fellow Frenchman Sebastien Grosjean.

The three-time French Open champ's career officially ended at 31 years old. Known for his strong single-handed backhand and fun and entertaining style on and off the court, Kuerten rose to fame when he won the French Open at 20 in 1997. He previously held the 66th place in world rankings. He held the number 1 world record for 42 weeks and held the 2nd place in 2002.The development of hip problems and three subsequent hip operations led to long periods of inactivity and a slide down the rankings.

Kuerten never failed to show his playful side even during this last match, as chants of "Guga, Guga, Guga!" came from the adoring crowd. Applause rained down the stands at the end of the match, and Guga, who was wearing the shirt that he wore during his 1997 French Open match, was presented with a small clay section of the court encased in glass as a token of appreciation. Opponent Mathieu referred to Guga in an interview as "a legend of tennis who has marked history."

Before leaving the court, Guga faced the crowd and in his broken French said "Roland Garros is my life, my passion and my love. It is great to be here with my family and my coach. More importantly, all the love you guys have given me is unforgettable."