It’s been a season of retirements. From the ladies to the men, the crème de la crème have had their last licks of the sport they worship and made their au revoirs. At one pinnacle in their careers it seems like age will never catch up with them but it does. And when that happens, there is a synthesis of extreme emotions.
Juan Carlos Ferrero to retire
It’s now the turn for Juan Carlos Ferrero to wave his hands to the crowd for the final time. The star from Spain will be retiring next month after the tournament, Valencia Open 500, that is set to take place at his home grounds. And it seems to be the perfect venue to bid farewell.
He once occupied the throne as the world number one and it was a good time. He has won 15 tournaments after he started playing tennis professionally in the year 1998. Having won the French Open in the year 2003, Ferrero was the rocher of tennis at the time! Okay, apart from all the quips, Ferrero really was a potential player before he fell victim to the big bad world of injuries. No player can escape them and it leaves no one. After that his play came short and his rankings fell. This season he dropped down to 111 in the table.
But nevertheless, Ferrero has made it in the final rounds in so many tournaments, won so many more, and rose to his deserved place. He has always been passionate about playing for Spain and carries the patriotism with him even today.
“Among the memories I would pick out the Davis Cup win in 2000, because I understood afterwards how much it meant to the country.”
“This season injuries have prevented me from playing with regularity and it was a tough year as I realized on the court that I did not have the same ambition after 14 years at the top level”.
Even though he is leaving professional tennis, he will still be a part of the sport in one way or the other. His involvement with the academy along with several projects will keep Ferrero involved. Only a player himself can understand what it feels like to leave their sport and how much vacuum fills up their life but luckily for Ferrero he will still be together with tennis in his own ways.
Tags: Davis Cup, Juan Carlos Ferrero, Retirement, Retirements, Spain, Sport, Tennis, Valencia Open
