I can’t wait for the Australian Open to start. I’m almost counting down the days.
I say ‘almost’ because I do have all of January off and I definitely do not look forward to returning to work, but I am looking forward to getting to the Open as often has possible, especially to watch one of my favourite players, David Ferrer.
Ferrer is a real workhorse of the top ten and a player who is often forgotten about, nestled at number five in the world, between Nadal (four) and Berdych (six) in the ATP rankings.
So why do we so often forget about Spain’s second highest ranking player? I think the answer may lie in his preparation for the Open.
Ferrer is the reigning champion at the Heineken Open NZ, an event he has won on three occasions.
At this time of year, our tennis watching commitments oscillate between the Hopman Cup and the Brisbane Open, before switching to the Sydney International and the AAMI Classic at Kooyong.
With practically no coverage on Australian TV (free-to-air anyway), Ferrer quietly slips under our tennis watching radar, but he shouldn’t. He’s a fantastic player to watch.
Widely regarded by his fellow professionals – Federer rates him as the best returner in the game – his dogged style of chasing every ball down and keeping the ball deep in play have ensured his consistent position in the top ten.
He also had a fantastic 2012, winning seven titles and reaching at least the quarters in every Slam. He also won the Golden Swing in Latin America and won more matches than any other player in 2012 (50 in all).
Ferrer is a shining example of the benefits of hard work and any young tennis player with aspirations of travelling the tennis circuit could learn so much from the Spaniard. Maybe even young guys already on the tour could pick up some tips. Tomic perhaps?
This isn’t a dig, I want to clarify I am a huge Tomic fan and I believe he has top ten potential, but some of Ferrer’s determination wouldn’t harm him at all.
Ferrer is one of the fittest men on the tour and his ability to run his opponents down has assured his consistent ranking. He’s also experiencing late career success along with Federer (number two), and Germany’s Tommy Haas, on the ATP tour since 1996, who has surged up the rankings to 21.
Perhaps tennis is a sport with a longer lifespan than we give it credit for?
So, will he win the Open? Probably not. Realistically, Djokovic and Federer will be stumbling blocks he probably won’t be able to get past. Ferrer doesn’t have the big fire power of these guys but with an injured Nadal and an always wobbling on the big stage Murray, he could see himself back at number four in the world and even in the final of the Australian Open come the last weekend of January.
I will certainly be watching as many of Ferrer’s games as I can. You should too.
Frankie Hughes
Guest
Whilst Ferrer is a great competitor, he's just not good enough to win a Major. I love his heart, determination and will to win. No one tries harder than Ferrer. But if you're looking for someone other than Federer, Djokovic and Murray - then it would be Berdych, Tsonga or Del Potro. All 3 have huge weapons(and in Delpo's case, he's a Major winner) I was thinking outside the box earlier, and I was thinking Gasquet could be a bolter!
neily_b
Roar Rookie
I did enjoy reading this and I do agree with you that Ferrer is one of the fittter players in the game and keeps going with his defensive game. However I also have to agree with the other comments. I looked through the tournaments different players had won last year and most of the tournaments Ferrer won were all lower level tournaments while the others focused on 1000 events and slams. In saying that, I would love to see him go further in some of the higher level competitions and it will be interesting to see how he goes with the higher seeding for the Open and being guaranteed to avoid the top guys until the semi's.
Adam Ludeke
Roar Pro
Fair call - each of the big 4 will likely be remembered as all time greats. This really is a golden era for the men's game and the other guys you mention will find it hard to win slams over the next few years at least.
Kate Smart
Expert
Thanks for your comments guys! Actually Adam, I am fairly easily pleased unless we're talking about a player I distinctly dislike! I do agree that Ferrer is not up there with the top 4 - who really is? Tsonga probably does have a major in him, Del Potro too injury prone. Maybe Berdych? Anyway, I do agree with most of what you guys have said but I still think that for an old bloke, Ferrer is great. Perhaps what I can take out of this is that it should be easy to get a seat next week at Ferrer's matches???
clipper
Guest
He's certainly more consistent at the GF's now, but still has not gone past the SF level and has been comfortably beaten on those occasions. He plays a lot of the 250 and 500 events thus avoiding the big 4 and managing to boost his points. Although having said that, he could pull off a surprise - the question is could he pull of 2 in a row?
Alexander Grant
Roar Pro
I don't want to hate on Ferrer or what you've written - because I really enjoyed reading your piece - but "He also had a fantastic 2012, winning seven titles and reaching at least the quarters in every Slam. He also won the Golden Swing in Latin America and won more matches than any other player in 2012 (50 in all)." He arguably only got his Masters win because Janowicz decided to destroy everything he touched in Paris, and the Latin Swing is arguably the lowest standard leg of the ATP Tour you can play on throughout the season - not taking anything away from him though. I'd like to see how he'd handle the European leg with the higher ranked players. You have to compare how that looks to the top 4, or 3 as it stands minus Nadal. Though one thing I've always admired about Ferrer is he's one of those few Spaniards who I believe plays consistent levels on tennis on hardcourt and clay. And that can't be said for many of them.
The Kebab Connoisseur
Guest
Thing is, the top players are foxing at this time of the year. Just pacing themselves. It will be the old firm at the end again, Murray, Djokovic and Federer.
Adam Ludeke
Roar Pro
"I will certainly be watching as many of Ferrer’s games as I can. You should too." You're easily pleased, Kate! Personally, I respect Ferrer's fitness and competitive nature, but for mine he's one of the dullest players of all time. The Jim Furyk of tennis.