Juan Carlos Ferrero

Juan Carlos Ferrero always appeared to be a sportsman fashioned in a bygone era. By nature of his personality, he let his tennis do the talking, remaining intensely private and loyal to those he trusted.

Determined to become a champion, working diligently to fine-tune his natural abilities – particularly on clay courts – in a disciplined yet understated manner, Ferrero never boasted about his greatness. Always charming, humble and stylish throughout his career, it wasn't in his nature to be a crowd-pleaser. His mother, Rosario, never approved of tennis players who were too exuberant. When she died in 1998, two years after Ferrero had left Onteniente to join Antonio Martinez at the Villena Tennis Academy, the 17 year old became withdrawn and resolved to dedicate wholeheartedly to professional tennis in her honour.

Having finished runner-up to Fernando Gonzalez at the 1998 Roland Garros juniors, it was clear he was going to be something very special, when, in the following year, Ferrero was named ATP Newcomer of the Year after rocketing up a colossal 302 places in the ATP Rankings to World No. 43. Twelve months later, he helped Spain capture its first Davis Cup title and for four seasons he was the man to beat on clay. Between 2000 and 2003, he compiled a 111-25 match record on red dirt – winning three of his four ATP World Tour Masters 1000 trophies – and went 23-2 at Roland Garros, where he finished runner-up in 2002 and captured the 2003 crown.

Seemingly, each year, he upgraded all aspects of his game – especially his serve and forehand. Without losing his agility, he played with great subtlety and deceptive power in order to consistently outclass Gustavo Kuerten and countrymen Alex Corretja, Albert Costa and Carlos Moya on clay courts. With men's professional tennis evolving at the start of the 21st century, El Mosquito's slight stature, speed, finesse and ability to conjure winning strokes from nothing delighted the purists and his willingness to improve on other surfaces was rewarded by a rise to the pinnacle of the sport.

Just three months after expectation became reality, when Ferrero beat Dutchman Martin Verkerk 6-1, 6-3, 6-2 for his lone Grand Slam championship title in Paris, the 23-year-old became World No. 1 on 8 September 2003, replacing Andre Agassi. Ferrero reigned for eight weeks until Andy Roddick, his conqueror, 6-3, 7-6(2), 6-3, in the US Open final, unseated him.

By example, he inspired a future generation of Spanish talent, including David Ferrer and Rafael Nadal. Ferrer exclusively told ATPWorldTour.com, "Juan Carlos has been a very important player for Spanish tennis. He was World No. 1, he was the one who won the third point when Spain first won the Davis Cup and opened the way for many more players to follow and more Davis Cup victories of our country. He was and is my best friend on the tour. He's a person that is very close to me and a friend of many friends of mine. He’s a very humble and noble person."

In total, he spent 176 consecutive weeks in the Top 10 of the ATP Rankings until 13 September 2004 when injuries and loss of form took their toll. Headstrong, possessing an iron will, his love for the sport never faltered as he worked hard to return to the highest level. In 2009, he broke a 110-tournament title drought by clinching his 16th tour-level trophy at Casablanca and the following year, during the golden swing of Latin American tournaments, Ferrero produced a series of vintage performances in compiling a 14-1 record to return to the Top 20. Overall, he was 16-18 in finals.

Away from the spotlight, Ferrero eschewed a millionaire's lifestyle of a mansion on the Mediterranean coast and still resides at the academy, which harnessed his dreams as a teenager, playing golf and pursuing his passion for cars and bikes. With Martinez, his coach since 1989, he wisely looked to life outside of professional tennis while at the peak of his career by investing in a number of projects.

At 32, Ferrero is calling time on his career, highly motivated to succeed in sporting retirement with the La Fundación de la Comunidad Valenciana Juan Carlos Ferrero, which promotes sports for youth in and around Valencia, and the 12-suite Hotel Ferrero in Bocairente that he developed in July 2007, plus as joint-owner of the Valencia Open 500, an ATP World Tour 500 tournament each October.

Bio: James Buddell 

Began playing tennis at age seven with his father, Eduardo, who regularly travels with his son…Has two sisters, Ana and Laura…As a youngster, admired play of former World No. 1 and two-time Roland Garros champion Jim Courier…Reached Roland Garros junior final in 1998 (l. to Gonzalez)...Likes to collect motor bikes and cars (his favourite is a Renault Spider and Nissan GTR)…Fan of Real Madrid football team…Draws his tennis inspiration from his mother, Rosario, who passed away when he was 16…Is owner of an Academy, the Juan Carlos Ferrero - Equelite in Villena, which was inaugurated in 1995 by Antonio Martínez Cascales, to promote future tennis talents between ages 14 and 21…Bought an old cottage and refurbished into "Hotel Ferrero" in July 2007 in Bocairente, 50 minutes south from Valencia (features 12 luxury suites)…In November 2010, received its first Michelin Star in 2011 Spain & Portugal Michelin Guide…The product selection and the creativity shown in restaurant menu contributed to hotel restaurant's first recognition…Friend of countryman and pro golfer Sergio Garcia and motorcyclist Sete Gibernau…Received Spain's 2003 "National Sportsman of the Year" award on September 30, 2004 from King Juan Carlos in Madrid…It is highest sporting accolade by Spanish government…Fitness trainer is Eduardo Cervelló and coached by Antonio Martinez and Samuel Lopez (since 1989).

Ferrero DEUCE Feature (Aug. 2007)
Ferrero DEUCE Feature (May 2010)
Ferrero Retirement Tribute (Oct. 2012)

2012 -- Retired from professional tennis on 23 October after losing to Almagro in Valencia 1st RD...

2011 -- The Spaniard finished in Top 50 for 12th time in 13 years (except ‘08), highlighted by his 16th career title…Fell to No. 104 on Aug. 1 before working his way up...Made season debut in mid-April when he reached QF in Barcelona (l. to Almagro) then fell 1R in Madrid 2 weeks later (l. to de Bakker); missed next 2 months with wrist and knee injuries...Returned in Stuttgart on July 11 and captured title, defeating countryman Andujar in final…Then 2 weeks later reached SF in Umag (l. to Dolgopolov)...Played in only Slam event at the US Open, defeating No. 7 Monfils (l. to Tipsarevic in 4R)...Compiled marks of 11-4 on clay and 9-7 on hard...1 of 7 Spaniards to win an ATP World Tour title this season (Almagro-3, Nadal-3, Ferrer-2, Granollers-2, Andujar, Ferrero, Robredo)...

2010 -- The Spaniard finished in Top 30 for ninth time in 11 years, highlighted by three ATP World Tour titles for first time since ‘03…He compiled a 14-match winning streak, second-longest of career (won 16 in a row during ‘02) in February as he won titles in Costa do Sauipe (d. Kubot), Buenos Aires (d. Ferrer) and reached final in Acapulco (l. to Ferrer)…Returned to European clay in April and best result was QF in Monte-Carlo* (d. No. 10 Tsonga, l. to Nadal)…Also reached 3rd RD at Roland Garros (l. to Ginepri in five sets)…Went 0-2 on grass, then resumed clay success in mid-July with SF in Stuttgart (l. to Montanes), QF in Hamburg (l. to F. Mayer) and title in Umag (d. Starace)…One month later he finished season with 3rd RD at US Open (l. to Melzer)…He underwent left knee and right wrist surgery on Oct. 6 in Spain…Compiled marks of 28-7 on clay and 5-5 on hard courts.

2009 -- The Spaniard finished in Top 25 for eighth time in 10 years and broke a 110-tournament title drought by capturing Casablanca crown in April (d. Serra)…Also runner-up in Umag in August (l. to Davydenko)…Helped his native country to Davis Cup final (vs. Czech Republic) by winning fifth and decisive rubber over Germany’s Beck in QF tie in July and then beat Israel’s Sela in second rubber of SF tie in September…On June 8, won his 400th career tour-level match at Queen’s (d. Grosjean)…Despite early success with back-to-back QF showings in Costa do Sauipe (l. to Bellucci) and Buenos Aires (l. to Nalbandian) in February, dropped to No. 115 on April 6 and again on May 11, his lowest since May 1999 (No. 126)…In between ranking drops he captured his first ATP World Tour title since 2003 with victory on clay in Casablanca…On grass, turned in SF effort at Queen’s Club (l. to Murray) and followed up with second Wimbledon QF showing — again losing to Murray…Had posted wins over No. 10 F. Gonzalez and No. 8 Simon on route through to last eight…Went 3-8 vs. Top 10 opponents and compiled marks of 18-7 on clay, 9-11 on hard and 8-2 on grass.

2008 -- The Spaniard finished out of Top 50 for first time since his rookie campaign in 1998...In first month of season, compiled a 7-2 mark, reaching his 27th career final in Auckland (l. to Kohlschreiber) and 4th RD at Australian Open (d. No. 10 Nalbandian, l. to Ferrer)...In AMS play, reached 4th RD in Indian Wells (l. to Nalbandian) and 3rd RD in Miami (l. to Berdych), Monte Carlo (l. to Nadal) and Rome (l. to Wawrinka)...Handed Nadal his lone clay court loss of season in 2nd RD of Rome...Retired in 1st RD at Roland Garros (vs. Daniel) with leg injury and retired in 2nd RD at Wimbledon with a hamstring injury (vs. Zverev)...Also withdrew from US Open with right shoulder injury...Missed three months of action before returning in late September in Beijing where he reached QF (l. to Roddick)...Closed season with QF in Lyon (l. to Tsonga)...Went 2-6 vs. Top 10 opponents and compiled marks of 14-9 on hard and 4-4 on clay.

2007 – Finished in Top 25 for seventh time in last eight years, highlighted by one ATP finalist result and QF showing at Wimbledon...Best results came on clay with a runner-up in Costa do Sauipe (l. to Canas) in February, SF in Acapulco (l. to Moya) in March and at AMS Monte Carlo (d. Gasquet, l. to Federer) in April...After a 3rd RD at Roland Garros (l. to Youzhny), played well on grass with QF at All England Club where he lost to eventual champ Federer in four sets...En route, defeated No. 9 Blake in 3rd RD...In final four months, best results were QF in Stuttgart (l. to Lopez) in July, 3rd RD at AMS Cincinnati (d. No. 6 Gonzalez, l. to Blake) in August and SF in Vienna (d. Canas, d. No. 6 Gonzalez, l. to Wawrinka) in October...Went 3-6 vs. Top 10 opponents and compiled marks of 20-11 on clay, 10-10 on hard and 4-2 on grass.

2006 – Finished in Top 25 for sixth time in last seven years, highlighted by a runner-up result at AMS Cincinnati...Did not drop a set en route to final and defeated three Top 10 players – No. 5 Blake (2nd), No. 2 Nadal (QF) and No. 7 Robredo (SF) – before falling to Roddick...His ranking improved from 31 to No. 18... Compiled 14-10 record on clay, with best results coming in SF in Buenos Aires (l. to eventual champ Moya), and QF in Barcelona (l. to Almagro) and Bastad (l. to Nieminen)...Also 3rd RD at AMS Monte Carlo (l. to Ferrer), AMS Hamburg (l. to Ferrer) and Roland Garros (l. to Gaudio)...Advanced to grass court QF at ‘s-Hertogenbosch...Went 3-1 vs. Top 10 opponents...

2005 – At AMS Monte Carlo, reached SF (d. Safin in 3rd RD, l. to Coria)...Followed with runner-up in Barcelona (l. to Nadal)...On grass, reached QF in Halle (l. to Haas) and 4th RD at Wimbledon (l. to Federer)...Lost to eventual champion nine times during year...Returned to clay with QF in Bastad (l. to Nadal) and Umag (l. to Coria)...Reached SF in Beijing and final in Vienna (d. Nalbandian in QF, l. to Ljubicic)... Helped his country back into 2006 Davis Cup World Group by winning fifth and decisive rubber against Italy’s Bracciali...Compiled a 6-10 record vs. Top 10 opponents...Went 21-10 on clay, 18-13 on hard and 5-2 on grass...

2004 – Finished out of Top 30 for first time in five years...Reached SF at Australian Open (l. to Federer)...Finalist in Rotterdam (l. to Hewitt)...Missed March due to chicken pox...Reached SF in Valencia (l. to Verdasco) and after 1st RD exit at AMS Monte Carlo, took another month to recuperate and gain strength...Did not play a tournament prior to Roland Garros after injuring his right wrist and ribs in a fall while practicing on May 8 in Spain...Came in as defending champion in Paris and lost to Andreev in 2nd RD...After Wimbledon 3rd RD, failed to win back-to-back matches rest of year...

2003 – Became first Spaniard to finish No. 3 since Alex Corretja in 1998, matching best finish by a Spanish player in history of ATP Rankings (since 1973)...Captured four titles in a career-high seven finals and won a personal-best 67 matches...Led his country to Davis Cup final (lost 3-1 to Australia) with a 4-3 singles mark during year...Lost five-set matches to Hewitt and Philippoussis in final...Only player since Ivan Lendl in 1980 to win at least 30 matches on clay (33-5) and hard courts (30-12) in same season...Lost only one opening round match in 20 tournaments...In each Grand Slam tournament, turned in a career-best result at that time (20-3 record)...Finalist in Sydney (l. to Lee) and QF at Australian Open (l. to Ferreira)...Won titles at AMS Monte Carlo (d. Coria), Valencia (d. C. Rochus) and Roland Garros (d. Costa in SF, Verkerk in F)...Reached Wimbledon 4th RD (l. to Grosjean)...Reached final at US Open where he defeated former champions Hewitt (QF) and Agassi (SF) (l. to Roddick)...First Spaniard to reach US Open final since Manuel Orantes won title in 1975...By reaching final, became second Spaniard (Moya in ‘99) to hold No. 1 in ATP Rankings... Runner-up in Bangkok (l. to Dent) and won AMS Madrid (d. Massu)...It marked second time in his career he reached three consecutive finals...Qualified for Tennis Masters Cup in Houston and trailed No. 1 Roddick by 26 points in Race going into year-end event but went 0-3 in round robin...Earned career-high $3,026,760...

2002 – Won two ATP titles in five finals, highlighted by first Grand Slam final at Roland Garros...Closed season with runner-up effort at Tennis Masters Cup in Shanghai where he lost an epic five-set battle to No. 1 Hewitt 6-4 in final set...Lost first two sets before winning next two and led 3-1 in final set but Hewitt rallied to repeat as champion...Despite loss, finished at No. 4 and became first Spaniard since Sergi Bruguera in 1993-94 to appear in Top 5 in back-to-back seasons...Won Hong Kong (d. Moya)...Did not play Australian Open due to bursitis in right knee and injured his right ankle while practicing on off-day at Roland Garros but recovered to reach final...

2001 – The Spanish No. 1 finished with his first Top 10 showing at No. 5, highest year-end by a Spaniard since Alex Corretja (No. 3) in 1998...Became eighth Spaniard in that year-end elite group...Won four ATP titles, including his first career hard court crown in Dubai (d. Safin) and ATP Masters Series title in Rome...Qualified for season-ending Tennis Masters Cup in Sydney and advanced to SF...Also compiled a career-best 16-match winning streak, which was second-best on ATP circuit during year (Hewitt-17)... Won title in Estoril (d. Mantilla) then put together a stretch of three straight finals, winning in Barcelona (d. Moya) and AMS Rome (d. Kuerten) before the streak was snapped by countryman Albert Portas at AMS Hamburg...All three finals were five-sets and for year played in an ATP-high eight five-set matches (4-4)... Continued strong play at Roland Garros where he advanced to SF for second straight time, losing again to eventual champion Kuerten...Made his Wimbledon debut, defeating former semifinalist Stoltenberg in five sets before losing to Rusedski in 3rd RD...Finalist in Gstaad (l. to Novak)...

2000 – Reached ATP finals in Dubai (l. to Kiefer) and Barcelona (l. to Safin), advanced to his first Grand Slam SF in his debut at Roland Garros (l. to Kuerten) and led Spain to its first Davis Cup title ever...Posted wins over Australia’s Rafter and Hewitt to clinch 3-1 final Cup victory...His best results came in first five months of season (through Roland Garros) when he compiled a 31-13 record and reached QF or better in seven of 13 tournaments...Made his seasonal clay court debut in 1st RD Davis Cup tie against Russia and beat Kafelnikov and Safin (dead rubber) to lead Spain into QF... Continued his successful run with QF in Estoril, AMS Monte Carlo and runner-up effort in Barcelona (d. Rios in QF, Moya in SF; l. to Safin)...Advanced to 4th RD at US Open (d. Federer, l. to Safin)...Played well in his first Olympics in Sydney, reaching QF (l. to Di Pasquale)...Made indoor breakthrough at AMS Paris where he reached his first SF (l. to eventual winner Safin)...

1999 – Made biggest ranking improvement in Top 50 from previous year, moving 302 positions...Captured his first ATP title in Mallorca, defeating No. 11 Corretja in three sets in his fifth career event...Qualified and advanced to SF in Casablanca in ATP debut...Captured two Challenger titles and a finalist in two others...One of three teenagers (Hewitt, Safin) to capture an ATP title during year...