Clay King ranks himself as an outsider

“Maybe it’s going to be tougher this year than in 1997. But I have these impossible hopes,” he added.

Seeded seventh, ‘Guga’ had been hampered by groin pains since the Australian Open and had hip surgery in February, something he admitted he had not fully recovered from.

“It was bad for me, especially when I decided to have the surgery.

“For sure I’m not in my best shape, but I could be at home and watch, so it’s nice to be here and it’s a good challenge.”

Kuerten, however, said he did not believe he could win his fourth Roland Garros title.

“I can’t see any chance. It seems many guys are playing better than me,” he said.

“I don’t know how I’m going to respond to five sets. I’m optimistic about the practice I played, probably I’ll be able to play some good matches,” he added.

“But to play the second week would be a good effort for me,” he added.

The Brazilian said this year’s French Open was more part of his rehabilitation plans than a real objective.

“What is going to make the difference is the matches I will be playing from tomorrow.

“It’s going to be the key for me. I will have to take more chances than I used too because I can’t move as well as I used too.

“It’s going to be my challenge from tomorrow,” he said.

Should he lose early on, Kuerten, like most Brazilians a die-hard soccer fan, would have the consolation of being able to watch Brazil’s World Cup games.

“In the locker room, people start to make jokes, I hope that Brazil don’t lose otherwise they’ll start making jokes at me all day long.

“It’ll be funny to play your match and then watch the football. “It’s interesting — most of the attention will be on the World Cup, but you have to keep concentrated on the big moments here,” he said.

Guga said he was not too optimistic that organisers should adjust his schedule of play to allow him to watch Brazil. “I don’t think it’s gonna work. When Brazil are playing, I hope I’m not on court, but if I have too, it’s ok,” he said.

(Reuters)