PARIS — Gustavo Kuerten bid farewell to tennis today in the first round of the French Open, losing 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 to Paul-Henri Mathieu at the site of his biggest triumphs.

The former top-ranked Brazilian won three French Open titles.

The 31-year-old Kuerten has been bothered by a hip injury since 2001. Since having surgery in 2004, he has played in only 19 tournaments and won five matches. This year's French Open was his first appearance at a Grand Slam tournament since the 2005 U.S. Open.

Kuerten — the last No. 1-seeded man to win the title in Paris in 2001 — entered what he said would be his last tournament as the lowest-ranked man at No. 1,141. He got his spot in the draw as a wild card.