Ferrero’s Singles Career Draws to a Close on Home Soil
October 23, 2012 | By Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
Former world number one Juan Carlos Ferrero retired from professional tennis on Tuesday at the Valencia Open 500, after a 7-5, 6-3 loss to fellow Spaniard and close friend Nicolas Almagro in the first round. The 32-year-old Ferrero won 16 tour-level titles, including 2003 Roland Garros.
"I simply want to thank everyone for all their support, not just this year but throughout all the years I have played here," Ferrero said. "It’s always been a very special tournament for me and this year even more so."
Ferrero spent 176 consecutive weeks in the top 10 of the ATP Men’s Singles Rankings until 2004 when injuries began to take their toll. The 32-year-old Ferrero became only the second Spaniard to reach the number one spot atop the ATP Men’s Singles Rankings and won 16 tour-level titles over the course of his career, compiling a 479-262 lifetime win/loss record. As well as Ferrero’s sole Grand Slam triumph at Roland Garros, he reached the final there in 2002 and the U.S. Open final in 2003 after which he rose to world number one and stayed there for eight weeks. Ferrero’s last title came in Stuttgart in 2011 on his clay surface. He has slipped to 161st in the latest singles rankings.
