RIO DE JANEIRO, Feb 14: Brazil President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva congratulated three-time French Open champion Gustavo Kuerten on his achievements on Wednesday and said it was a shame injuries were forcing his retirement.

Hobbled by a chronic hip injury, Kuerten has said he will quit after the French Open, which starts on May 25.This week he lost his first-round singles and doubles at the Brazil Open, his last professional matches on home soil.

“Kuerten is the greatest idol (Brazilian) tennis has ever produced, on a par with former Wimbledon champion Maria Ester Bueno,” Silva said.—AP