David Ferrer Loses to Zverev And Ends Career With One Final Night To Remember In Madrid

Spanish David Ferrer (3-R) is tossed by his assistants during the tribute received after his Mutua Madrid Open’s round of 32 game against German Alexander Zverev played at Caja Magica tennis complex, in Madrid, Spain, 08 May 2019. This has been the last match of Ferrer as a professional tennis player. EPA-EFE/JUANJO MARTIN

 

 

By: Thomas Cluck

 

It was surprising, entertaining, gritty, hard-fought, classy, and it was oh so David Ferrer. In front of a sold-out capacity home crowd packed inside Manolo Santana Stadium at the Caja Magica on a Wednesday night in Madrid, one of the greatest of this incredible Spanish Armada of the last decade in men’s tennis gave the sport one final bow, ending his career as only the former world number three and French Open finalist could, giving it his all in a 6-4, 6-1 second-round defeat at the hands of defending Mutua Madrid Open champion Alexander Zverev.

 

After surviving a hard-fought, three-set contest with countryman and good friend Roberto Bautista Agut that more resembled a Spanish bullfight at times than a tennis match, one that could have been his last career match, Ferrer walked onto Manolo Santana Stadium bags in hand and ready to work as always, but this time hoping to enjoy it and soak it all in one final time as well.

 

David said “It’s a reality that physically I cannot play more than two straight matches at the level that I would like to play and that is another symptom that says that my life as a tennis player is finishing,” He added “But I have been very lucky to be able to choose the moment, the place, and to share it with all of you and with all the people that I love.”

 

The ferocity of the “Little Beast” Ferrer was there but so too was some fun, living up the moment in front of a raucous Spanish home crowd as the 37 year-old raced out to a quick 4-1 lead with the incredible defense, relentless consistency, and tactful guile that made Ferrer a top ten staple for so many years, almost toying with the young German as he enjoyed what would be his final career match much to the chagrin of his 22 year-old opponent.

 

And for all the attention and fan support being thrown behind Ferrer, the other side of the net featured a defending champion, world number four, and defending champion desperately in need of a win after losing six of his last nine matches, struggling with illness, coping with a breakup, dealing with his father’s health concerns, and fighting a legal battle with a former agent all while trying to regain fitness and form on the court.

 

Despite all Ferrer was playing for and the momentum behind a man knowing this would be the last tournament of his career, the young German ATP NextGen star needed this victory. From that 1-4, one-break deficit, Zverev played like a new man, finding a confidence and clarity that had been lacking in recent months as his incredibly powerful and potent game seemed to finally click.

 

Once the big-serving, six-foot-six German’s game clicked into gear, there was no stopping the Sascha Zverev show. Zverev, the younger brother to fellow ATP pro Mischa, reeled off five games in succession to close set one and seal the opening set 6-4 despite the brilliantly effervescent play of Ferrer at times.

 

From there on there was no stopping the third seed and defending champion in the Spanish capital. Zverev’s dominance on serve and tactful takedown of Ferrer on the return allowed him to race through the second set and cross the finish line in the match, closing it out 6-4, 6-1.

 

“He’s the most respectful guy for me on tour, and one of the most loved people on the tour as well,” said Zverev.

 

Then he added “All the players are very sad he is retiring. You always left everything on the court, in every single match. It’s a privilege for me to be here playing against you in your last match.”

 

It might have been Zverev crossing the finish line first but it was a far more meaningful and memorable moment for Ferrer, playing the final point of his illustrious career to a standing ovation at the demand of Zverev, floating one final ball long as the 37 year-old Spaniard, former world number three, 2013 Roland Garros runner-up and Paris Masters champion, three-time Davis Cup champion, husband, and new father closed his career once and for all.

 

David shared “I’ll never forget this day. I’ve been very lucky. I’ve always wanted to end my career like this,” said an emotional Ferrer, son Leo and wife Marta by his side in his on-court speech. “I couldn’t keep playing at the level that I wanted, but I’m very happy and very proud of my career.”

 

“It’s been a very emotional night. It’s been completely different to any other important moment in my life that I have experienced previously. I was not expecting it. I never expected a goodbye or farewell like today.”

 

“I tried to play at a high level during the last year, but a day like today, people at work tomorrow, everyone stays here to support me and that is something that I will only have in my mind and in my heart. It’s something I will never forget” explained Ferrer.

 

“It’s the only match that I have lost and I’m not very sad. Whenever I lost a match in the past, I left very sad. Today I’m not sad. Today is a day that I want to enjoy, and I’m very happy to be able to enjoy a day like today.”

 

In typical Spanish fashion, it was 11 PM and the party for all of Spanish tennis to honor one of the nation’s tennis icons was just starting. From a long handshake and interaction at the net with Zverev to a lengthy standing ovation from the Spanish capital for Ferrer to greetings from family and friends and gifts from Spanish legend and former tournament director Manolo Santana and current tournament director and ATP player Feliciano Lopez to a massive banner drop on the Center Court and a touching video reflecting on the admiration and respect his colleagues and coworkers on the ATP and WTA have for him, it was clear “Ferru” did it the right way.

 

“Everyone has to pursue their own path and a way of working out things. In my case, at the end, what I learned is that normally you learn from defeats, from the losses, the tough moments, because you have to miss a lot of time, you have to taste defeat, you have to stand up and continue and keep on working. That was what was driving me to be the tennis player that I am today,” commented Ferrer.

 

He may have lived behind the massive shadow of countryman and all-time great Rafael Nadal and may not have won the many major titles he likely would have owned if not for the Big Four over the last decade, but Ferrer worked harder than anyone else, earned every point, every match, every title, conducted himself with the utmost integrity and class, and owned a humility and warmth that endeared him to all.

 

“I never won Madrid. I never won Roland Garros. I never won some tournaments I would’ve loved to win. I have my trophies at home, they’re just trophies, material.”

 

“What I really take with me is the love you’ve shown me. Always in my heart. Thank you so much.”

 

The legacy of a one or two-time Grand Slam champion may live on long in a shiny trophy case at someone’s house, but the legacy of a man like David Ferrer will live on far longer and with far more admiration than could even compare. Ferrer did it the right way and for that he will be honored far greater than any one-hit wonder (27 titles) and Davis Cup Star.

Spanish David Ferrer (R), accompanied by his wife Marta Tornel (L), receives a tribute after his Mutua Madrid Open’s tournament round of 32 game against German Alexander Zverev played at Caja Magica tennis complex, in Madrid, Spain, 08 May 2019. This has been the last match of Ferrer as a professional tennis player. EPA-EFE/JUANJO MARTIN