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Rios shows sentimental side

Chile's tennis star Marcelo Rios broke down in tears on Tuesday, interrupting a news conference about his country's Davis Cup team, to publicly mull his private life.

Suddenly veering from talk of tennis, the former top-ranked player bitterly denounced a local magazine's publication of photographs which showed him dancing with a girl at a Paris disco.

"My fiancee saw the pictures and was very upset and our relationship has ended," Rios, tears in his eyes, read from a handwritten note.

"I am badly hurt. I feel quite guilty and repentant because I known she is suffering because of my fault. I have lost her," the 24-year-old player said.

"I would like to show her that I care. And if was up to me, I would marry her today."

Rios said he would be asking his parents to talk to the girl's parents to try to mend the situation.

The woman lives in the same area in Florida, where Rios owns an apartment, close to the tennis complex where he trains.

Rios criticized the magazine for printing the pictures without considering that "these are serious feelings of mine."

At that point, he broke down and was comforted by trainer Manuel Astorga and team captain Patricio Cornejo.

"I am proud of being your trainer and your friend," Astorga said, tightly embracing Rios.

AP