Juan Carlos Ferrero enters the last week of his career – Tennis News
Former world number one, Juan Carlos Ferrero, enters the last week of his professional career. He is playing the final tournament, the Valencia Open, at his home soil. Last month, he announced his retirement that stated that his
last event at the professional circuit will be the Valencia Open. He is 32-year-old and decided to call it a day finally after a struggling season that yielded absolutely nothing for the 161st ranked Spaniard.
He talked about the disappointing current season that was surrounded by several injuries. He said, “This season injuries have prevented me from playing regularly and it was a tough year as I realised on the court that I did not
have the same ambition after 14 years at the top level.”
He further added, “I will continue to be involved with tennis through the Valencia Open, the academy, the foundation that carries my name and other projects.” Talking about his favourite career highlight, he said, “Among the memories
I would pick out the Davis Cup win in 2000, because I understood afterwards how much it meant to the country. But certainly for a player, winning a grand slam or getting to No1 in the world is the most important.”
In 2003, the Spaniard captured the Roland Garros French Open title and continued to accomplish small milestones that finally gathered up to reward him with the number one rank in the world in September of that season. He was referred
to as “Mosquito” due to his absolute lightening quick pace across the court and his enthusiastic ability to keep the point alive even though it looked over.
Ferrero has gathered 15 titles in his stupendous career that started way back in 1998. He won the title at Mallorca in 1999 to open his account; couldn’t win anything in the following season, however, managed to conquer ATP Masters
Series Rome as well as Barcelona and Estoril in 2001. Hong Kong and ATP Masters Series Monte Carlo went to his name in 2002. He won French Open, Valencia and ATP Masters Series Monte Carlo in 2003.
The title drought lasted four years since 2004-2008. In 2009, the Spaniard captured Casablanca and conquest of Umag, Buenos Aires and Costa Do Sauipe were followed up in 2010. Last year, he managed to win Stuttgart. This year has
been pretty dismal; owns a record of 5-11 and has a tough draw in the final career event as well. He will be up against his compatriot, Nicolas Almagro, in the opening round. Let’s hope the little mosquito bites up few more wins to his name before saying goodbye
to the world of tennis.
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