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Post by Vera on May 31, 2003 17:41:53 GMT -5
Henman out of French Open Agencies Saturday May 31, 2003 For more than an hour Tim Henman threatened to add an unlikely tale of British triumph to the epic battles rippling around Roland Garros on a day of drama at the French Open. In the end, however, the British No1 came up just short as he lost his third round match 4-6, 6-2, 6-4, 6-2, to Spain's Juan Carlos Ferrero - but there is no doubt he left his imprint on the red clay. Of course, we have become used to the concept of 'so near, yet so far' down the years with Henman. Henman had won their only prior meeting in 1999, 4-6, 7-6, 6-4 on an indoor carpet court in the first round of the Paris Masters. But Ferrero had been just 19 and in the fledgling stage of his burgeoning career. The man Henman faced across the net this afternoon is almost certainly a future Grand Slam winner, perhaps even by the end of next week such is his stature on the clay courts on which he excels. Certainly, the 23-year-old third seed is most people's favourite to go one better than his losing final last year against Costa. But the way Henman went about his business, on a surface he used to hate and which still holds countless mysteries, was still hugely encouraging with the grass court season a week away and Wimbledon starting just three weeks on Monday. Henman showed intelligence and spirit to win the first set, coming back from 0-40 in the first service of the match to win the game. He had promised he would play the match on his terms and there was no way he was going to enter into a baseline slugfest with the Spaniard. It was a fascinating contrast of styles - the bludgeoning groundstrokes of Ferrero against the chip-and-charge, mix-it-up finesse of Henman. And there was no doubt it was successful in disrupting the rhythm of Ferrero, a man not accustomed to being hustled by an accomplished serve-volleyer on clay. It culminated in Henman gaining a shock lead when he took the set on his second set point with a cross-court forehand of sheer brilliance. It was a lead he deserved but there was always likely to be a stinging riposte. Ferrero required treatment for a bleeding finger at the end of the set but the tape applied also appeared to bandage the frailties in his game. His clubbing groundstrokes gained in authority and he broke the Henman serve three times in that set. And that was only emphasised in the third set with Henman struggling to stem the winners on the Ferrero groundstrokes and finding it increasingly difficult to win his own serve. The crowd tried to lift the Briton but the relentless hitting power of Ferrero on his favourite surface was beginning to fray the edges of the Briton's game. The Henman volleys began to miss as Ferrero simply smashed away at his relentlessly solid game and there was an inevitability when he wrapped up the set with a deft cross-court forehand. And once Henman's serve had been breached once more in the third game of the fourth set it was virtually all over, Ferrero cruising to a comfortable victory which left the first hour's optimism a distant memory. sport.guardian.co.uk/
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Post by Vera on May 31, 2003 17:52:31 GMT -5
Sorry for flooding these place with articles, all from the same source. Can't believe some many ppl write, and in different way, this one is quite fun to read too: Henman fails to go the distance The British No1 cannot cash in on a bright start as Spaniard hits back in crushing style, Jon Henderson reports Sunday June 1, 2003 The Observer Tim Henman lost his third-round match, but not before he had confounded the idea that his best hope of progressing to the second week here was for Juan Carlos Ferrero to observe the hallowed Spanish tradition of spending hot, summer afternoons sleeping soundly. On another sun-baked day in the French capital, when even spectating was something of an ordeal, Ferrero did start a little drowsily against Henman's inspired opening. As the match progressed, though, the Spaniard became increasingly sharp and attentive, eventually crushing Henman's ambitions with a 4-6, 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 victory. 'I was pleased that I was able to dictate play with my game-plan at the start, which was not allowing him to play,' Henman said, 'but in a tournament like this you've got to keep that up longer. The positive thing is that the way I played early on bodes well for the next few weeks.' The result was true to form with Ferrero, the number three seed and last year's runner-up here, many people's favourite to carry off the clay-court game's greatest prize. But that didn't mean it was any less disappointing to see Henman, still feeling his way back after shoulder surgery late last year, beaten on his first appearance on Roland Garros's centre court, particularly after so bright a start. In eight visits to Paris, Henman has never travelled farther than the third round and he will just have to believe the reports that the tournament does go into a second week. He was in good company in failing to progress into the fourth round, Lleyton Hewitt, the world number one and top seed, going out to another member of the Spanish clay-court brigade, Tommy Robredo. Unusually, Hewitt, who is rarely caught once he makes the running in a match, allowed himself to be overhauled 4-6, 1-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-3. The Australian's serve deserted him against a player who has yet to make much of an impact on the tour. Tommy who? Well, Tommy whose rock-fan father named his son after The Who's hit musical. Hewitt, who reckoned he played some of his best clay-court tennis in the first two sets, said the defeat would not make him too downhearted: 'I think I'll look back on it and won't be that disappointed. I'm sure I'll get over it pretty soon. For me, Wimbledon's a bigger tournament than the French Open. It holds a special place in my heart.' There are compensations for Henman. The British No1, whose record for 2003 is now played 14 lost eight, can once again look forward to a three-week build-up on grass to Wimbledon, the tournament that he insists is still the high point of his year, despite the Beckham-esque attention he can expect between now and the time he packs his rackets away for the last time in SW19. Henman says we should not discount that being after the men's final on Sunday, 6 July. His performances in Paris gave that suggestion just a little more credibility. He won his first two matches here with something to spare and he can dismiss losing to Ferrero as unavoidable, given the Spaniard's devotion to the clay-court game. If he didn't say to Ferrero, when they shook hands at the end, 'Bet you won't be able to do that if we meet on grass,' then he almost certainly thought it(I'm sure Tim will return the favour in Wimby, it will be a great triumph if Ferrero can take a set from him on grass ). Henman dared to believe he could beat Ferrero in the first set, particularly after he recovered from losing the first three points of the match to hold serve. He was happy to duel with the Spaniard from the back of the court and mixed his game effectively with sudden surges to the net that were accompanied by some impressive volleys. The first break, in the tenth game, gave Henman the opening set. Even then, you sensed that Ferrero had been holding something back, possibly because he was not expecting such a spirited challenge. Once he raised the level of his game, whipping over his forehands with ever more venom, the conviction drained from Henman's play and he managed no more than sporadic resistance in the last two sets. The Spanish success story continued with Albert Costa, the defending champion, winning a dramatic match against the unseeded Nicolas Lapentti, of Ecuador, 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4. That's three five-set matches for Costa at the start of his title defence - and an extraordinary total of 11 hours 56 minutes on court. But he is from Barcelona, as Sybil Fawlty once said of Manuel. The real drama of Costa's tussle with Lapentti was not how long it took, but bitter exchanges between the players after the fifth game of the deciding set, during which Lapentti tried to get medical assistance for the same problem with his legs that had been treated earlier. This is not allowed under the rules and Costa became increasingly irritated by what he saw as Lapentti's delaying tactics. Finally, Lapentti fell heavily two games from the end of the match and finished the contest barely able to move. While Costa must be feeling the strain, Andre Agassi, who won here in 1999, is still going strong, stronger in fact than a 33-year-old has a right to expect given the youthfulness of most of those around him. Agassi knows he is blessed with a rare aptitude for the game and understands that, if he can stay in shape, he can carry on accomplishing things way beyond what until recently was regarded as the modern pro-tennis player's retirement age. Last week he agreed with a questioner who suggested it had been more important that he had prepared for the French Open by running in the dunes in the Nevada desert than playing matches in Europe's clay-court tournaments. He said he agreed with the suggestion 'because I didn't come here necessarily to play my best tennis early on. I wanted to be prepared to really go the distance here.' And who's to say he won't. He won two matches comfortably on his way to his fourth-round meeting today with the Brazilian Flavio Saretta, but felt the really important victory was over Croatia's Mario Ancic, in which he had to come back from losing the first two sets. The extended contest, he said, had helped him to work on his shot selection. 'I could point to a number of examples where I didn't play the most ideal shot, but I think being out there for three-and-a-half hours will really help me.' And there was Saretta hoping that it would have the opposite effect. Source: sport.guardian.co.uk/
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Post by Vera on Jun 2, 2003 20:19:28 GMT -5
FRENCH OPEN: Ferrero thrashes Mantilla, faces Gonzalez in quarters
PARIS: Spanish third seed Juan Carlos Ferrero, last year’s runner-up, served notice he intends to go one better and break his Grand Slam duck on Monday, handing out a 6-2, 6-1, 6-1 claycourt lesson to 20th-seeded compatriot Felix Mantilla to reach the quarter-finals of the French Open.
Ferrero will next meet Chilean 19th seed Fernando Gonzalez, who dished out a similar thrashing to Finnish 30th seed Jarkko Nieminen, advancing 6-3, 6-3, 6-2 for his fifth win in five meetings with Scandinavians. Ferrero, 23, who won the Monte Carlo Masters title in April, may be the favourite to take his place in the last four - but he did lose out to Gonzalez in the junior final here five years ago.
Pressed on whether the outcome of that match would be in his mind when he steps out for their encounter with a place in the last four at stake Ferrero said this time would be completely different. “We were juniors, so it’s not the same,” he said. “This is a different match. I think this is more important. I think we will be more motivated to play this quarter-final.”
On his match with Mantilla, Ferrero said he had even surprised himself, such was his superiority. “It was easier than I thought. I think I played a really great match. “Gonzalez is playing very well, his forehand is very fast, he serves very well. It’s going to be difficult. But I’m very fresh - I didn’t play any long matches. It’s important to be fresh in the second week of the tournament.” Gonzalez, a 22-year-old from Santiago, hopes his junior title win will inspire him. “It’s a long time ago but I have fond memories of it. We were 17, now I’m 22. “I know it will be an interesting match. Ferrero is playing great tennis - but I am playing well too,” said Gonzalez, who was a US Open quarter-finalist last year. Ferrero flopped in last year’s final to fellow Spanish claycourt specialist Albert Costa, who was later up against Frenchman Arnaud Clement. But he now looks to be the man with all the weapons at his disposal to claim the prize on the evidence of Monday’s win. Having dropped a set in his previous match against British grasscourt specialist Tim Henman, who gave him a brief run for his money, Ferrero hit top gear from the outset against Mantilla, destroying his rival with embarrassing ease.
If Ferrero had won all of the pair’s six previous encounters he had on those occasions at least had to break into a sweat. This time, he was quite brutally clinical, squashing Mantilla with five aces, 52 winners and eight breaks of serve, while he gave up his own serve just once. “Everything is going pretty well for me right now,” said Ferrero, who has nine Tour titles to his name - Mantilla actually has one more. “I thought it was a good match for me today,” he added with classic understatement. Mantilla won the Rome Masters Series title shortly before coming here, beating Costa along the way. But Ferrero, who shares the Christian names of his nation’s monarch, now has his eyes on a crown of his own: King of Clay in Paris.
Mantilla said he was ready for a break after his hiding. “Juan Carlos played brilliantly. I thought he was different class. I thought he played perfect. “Well, he does have a good record against me! Now I need a rest, I’ve had a heavy season.” Nieminen, meanwhile, paid tribute to Gonzalez. “Today my opponent was a better player. I tried my best but there was nothing to do. I had some chances but I couldn’t take them.”
Source: AFP
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Post by TennisHack on Jun 3, 2003 0:04:18 GMT -5
from TennisWeek:
Ferrero Cruises Into Roland Garros Quarterfinals By Richard Pagliaro 06/02/2003
In an effort to help develop young Spanish juniors, Juan Carlos Ferrero opened his own tennis academy in his hometown of Villena, Spain two years ago. The 23 year-old Ferrero hasn't confined his tennis teaching to the juniors training at his academy. Playing with professorial poise today, the third-seeded Spaniard schooled compatriot Felix Mantilla, 6-2, 6-1, 6-1 to advance to his fourth consecutive Roland Garros quarterfinal.
Both players entered this encounter with clay-court championship credentials: Ferrero won the Tennis Masters Series Monte Carlo title and Mantilla captured the Rome championship with an impressive victory over Roger Federer. But today's match was a mismatch from the outset as Ferrero's ability to flatten out his forehand enabled him to pound winners past Mantilla almost at will.
Today's victory was Ferrero's 11th straight win over fellow Spaniards as he raised his career record against Mantilla to 7-0. In four tournament wins, Ferrero has surrendered only one set — in his 4-6, 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 victory over Tim Henman in the third round — and enters his quarterfinal clash with 19th-seeded Fernando Gonzalez with a point to prove.
The hard-hitting Chilean owns a 2-0 record against Ferrero, including a straight sets victory at the 2002 U.S. Open. Their last match at Roland Garros was in the 1998 junior final when Gonzalez prevailed with a 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 victory. Ferrero is striving to advance to his fourth straight semifinal at Roland Garros, while Gonzalez is seeking a spot in his first Grand Slam semi.
The 2002 Roland Garros runner-up ran the 20th-seeded Mantilla from corner to corner with deep drives that drained his opponents lungs and legs. Ferrero fired 53 winners compared to 13 for Mantilla.
Throughout the clay-court season, Ferrero has worked diligently to improve the depth of his serve and he was rarely threatened on serve today. Ferrero saved one of the two break points he faced while converting seven of his 16 break-point chances on Mantilla's serve.
It took Ferrero a mere 24 minutes to close out the final set as he wrapped up the win in one hour, 40 minutes.
When he arrived on the ATP Tour five years ago, the fresh-faced Ferrero was affectionately tagged with the nickname "Chairlift", which means "Little Kid" by his fellow Spaniards. Since coming of age as one of the premier clay-court players in the world, Ferrero has solidified his status as the French Open favorite as the teenager has grown into the man the rest of his compatriots look up to in the rankings.
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Post by TennisHack on Jun 3, 2003 0:06:29 GMT -5
From TennisWeek:
Quarterfinal Clash: Gonzalez To Meet Ferrero In Rematch Of 1998 Roland Garros Junior Final By Richard Pagliaro 06/02/2003
If tennis balls could talk, they may have been shrieking in sheer fright at the sight of Fernando Gonzalez's vicious swings that would make felt want to flee its precarious position covering the balls before the point of contact.
The ball isn't the only endangered species in a Gonzalez match. The fierce forehand onslaught from the 6-foot, 180-pound Chilean can turn a tennis match into a grudge match with opponents scrambling for survival. Today, the 19th-seeded Gonzalez stormed into the Roland Garros final eight with a 6-3, 6-3, 6-2 fourth-round conquest of 30th-seeded Jarkko Nieminen.
The victory sets up a quarterfinal clash with 2002 Roland Garros runner-up Juan Carlos Ferrero, who crushed compatriot Felix Mantilla, 6-2, 6-1, 6-1. The quarterfinal match is a rematch of the 1998 Roland Garros junior final that saw Gonzalez score a 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 victory to claim the championship. Gonzalez has beaten Ferrero in both of their meetings as pros, including a straight sets win at the 2002 U.S. Open, but Wednesday match marks their first professional clay-court encounter.
A fearless force who hurls his body into his shots like a man trying to slam shut a steel door in the face of a howling hurricane, Gonzalez's go-for-broke style has produced rewarding tennis in Paris. His approach can yield breathtaking winners and erratic errors. Gonzalez hits — and misses — in dramatic fashion, but unlike some of his peers who play defensive tennis on the terre battue, Gonzalez goes for his shots and is actively trying to win points rather than playing not to lose them.
"My style is like that," Gonzalez said. "I want to win points. It doesn't matter which match it is, what score it is. I just go for it. That's the way I play."
Gonzalez's quick strike ability enables him to change the course of a rally with a single swing. His return of serve was a key component of that match as Gonzalez broke serve six times and surrendered his own serve only once.
The 22-year-old Gonzalez often dictated the duration of the points, firing forehands that frequently found the lines and occasionally bounced well beyond the baseline. In the end, Nieminen simply couldn't keep up with the pace and bowed out in 92 minutes.
In reaching his second Grand Slam quarterfinal, Gonzalez played with the explosiveness that establishes him as a future Grand Slam threat. The talented Chilean, whose disposition is as modest as his game is powerful, will undoubtedly face his toughest test of the tournament when he meets Ferrero for a spot in the final four.
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Post by Vera on Jun 3, 2003 15:20:45 GMT -5
Fererro v Gonzalez: Hold onto your hats! By Georges Homsi Tuesday, June 3, 2003 Fernando 'Speedy' Gonzalez may not be a household name, but his awesome displays of explosive hitting have certainly left an indelible impression on all those who have seen him in action so far at Roland-Garros. And who knows - if the Chilean keeps on slugging away with the unerring precision and power he has shown to date, he might even trouble the favourite for this year's French Open, Juan-Carlos Ferrero in Wednesday's quarter final. Finalist last year, the Spaniard has been in imperious form so far, able to perform well within himself and still stroll to the last eight.
CURRENT FORM
Ever since he saved a match point against Olivier Mutis in the Hamburg Masters Series, Fernando Gonzalez has been a man transformed. His newfound self-confidence has enabled him to unleash his frightening forehand to devastating effect at Roland-Garros. Spaniard Albert Portas has been the only player courageous enough to take a set off the man with the ballistic forehand – and he was soon punished for his impudence. Monday's quickfire destruction of fighting Finn Jarkko Nieminen was particularly impressive, especially as it was Gonzalez' first appearance on Philippe Chatrier Court.
Juan Carlos Ferrero, meanwhile, continues on his merry way. These past few years the early rounds here have tended to resemble exhibition matches for the third seed, and so it has proved again this year. Winner in Monte-Carlo for the second consecutive year, the clay court supremo had to withdraw from Rome to rest his shoulder – a cautionary move that certainly seems to have paid off so far. As usual, the ball has been disappearing to all corners from his trademark forehand. Felix Mantilla, a clay court specialist himself was dismissed in the last round, and Ferrero has only lost one set all tournament, to Tim Henman in a match where he was rarely troubled.
STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES
To play Fernando 'Speedy' Gonzalez is to subject your tennis racket to a thrashing and a half - if you get anywhere near the ball that is. Give him a bit of room to wind up that forehand and more likely than not you'll be watching the ball fizz past you before you can move an inch. His serve is equally frightening – even his second delivery, which he tends to hit hard at the expense of the odd double fault here and there. His backhand can sizzle too, but is a less reliable weapon than his forehand. Like all court bullies, Gonzalez needs large doses of confidence to dish out his punishment – and that has certainly been the case these past few weeks – so the key to success for Ferrero lies in instilling an element of self-doubt into his game.
Ferrero's lesson in tennis, handed out free of charge to Felix Mantilla in the quarter final, had most observers shaking their heads in admiration. His game was near-perfection; a subtle blend of quick feet, impeccable shot selection and tactical awareness. His topspin drive is a joy to watch and nightmare to play, his drop shot so well disguised it dies on opponents before they have time to move. Coach Antonio Martinez has his man perfectly focussed and primed for a serious assault on the title. Gonzalez, despite all his power and gusto should succumb.
PREVIOUS ENCOUNTERS: GONZALEZ 2-0 2002 US Open (hard) 3R GONZALEZ 6-4 6-4 6-4 2002 Basle (indoor) Semi final GONZALEZ 6-4 4-6 6-1
Source: Official site of Roland Garros
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Post by Vera on Jun 4, 2003 22:29:18 GMT -5
PARIS (Reuters) -- Juan Carlos Ferrero may not have won a grand slam yet, but the young Spaniard emulated some of the greatest players of all time by reaching his fourth straight semifinal at the French Open on Wednesday.
Only Bjorn Borg, Mats Wilander, Ivan Lendl and Jim Courier have achieved the same feat.
But it was much tougher for the third seed than he probably expected, and the Mosquito's bite did not look as sharp as usual in his tense and inconsistent 6-1, 3-6, 6-1, 5-7, 6-4 victory over Chile's Fernando Gonzalez.
Now he faces defending champion Albert Costa in the semifinals on Friday in a replay of last year's final, hoping to gain revenge against his compatriot.
"Albert showed everybody that he has great physical strength to play that many five set matches in the tournament," said Ferrero, referring to the four marathons won by Costa here.
"But the big difference from last year is that I have no ankle problems this time," he said.
Against Gonzalez, Ferrero's problem was more mental than physical. The two already had battled it out in a French Open final five years ago, the Chilean beating his Spanish opponent.
Since then, Ferrero has eclipsed the Santiago-based player in the senior ranks, but Gonzalez has beaten the Spaniard twice in their two previous encounters at Tour level.
"It was very difficult. The last two times we played, at the U.S. Open and in Basle, he beat me in straight sets. So this is going to give me a lot of confidence," said Ferrero.
Ferrero was third time lucky in a three hours and 28 minutes confrontation that depended more on his rival's level of play than on his own.
Gonzalez, 22, is considered by many to have the most powerful forehand on the circuit and he played up to the claim in the second and fourth sets, punishing Ferrero at every opportunity.
"He hits the ball so strong and so fast that you can't control the ball," the Spaniard explained.
The last moments of the match were a fine summary of an up and down quarterfinal.
Ferrero seemed to have everything in perfect control, serving for the match and leading 40-0, but Gonzalez fought like a raging bull to level the score.
It took the Spaniard three more attempts to finally finish off his opponent -- not with a winner but on the last of Gonzalez's 103 unforced errors in the match.
"I really thought at one time I was going to lose. He played so well on the match points, took a lot of risks. I struggled to close the match," he said.
His bid to exact revenge against Costa in the last four will be all the more intriguing as Ferrero has played far less in the tournament than his opponent.
But mental strength will be another decisive factor.
"You can't play four matches in five sets and be fresh. I should be a little fresher than he is physically," said Ferrero.
"But I was too nervous on important points today. I need to work on that," he added.
Given his compatriot's French Open record of coming back from two sets down three times, Ferrero is determined not to give him another chance.
"I'll lose one [set]. He knows how you have to play when he's two sets down, you know," he warned.
Source: Reuter
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Post by TennisHack on Jun 4, 2003 22:33:31 GMT -5
"But I was too nervous on important points today. I need to work on that," he added. Given his compatriot's French Open record of coming back from two sets down three times, Ferrero is determined not to give him another chance. "I'll lose one [set]. He knows how you have to play when he's two sets down, you know," he warned. Source: Reuter Don't lose a set if can you help it, Juanqui! I still hold that his nervousness on big points was because of who he was facing. Gonzo can really rip the ball and missing well over 20 break points can get to you, but he'll have more of a rhythm vs Costa.
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Post by Vera on Jun 4, 2003 22:48:35 GMT -5
I thought it's cool that he was able to joke about it. I think he's actually quite relax this tourney, he was able to joke about things more often than not. And in the fan site, they said on Eurosports or some cool European channel, they show JC visits Paris after the match, with his family, and with Gonzo . How nice. Maybe Gonzo's whisper was asking him if he can tag along ;D. Anyway, I'm liking Gonzo more and more. The fact that he mentioned his mental toughest is not as good in the match. I like that he acknowledge that openly and noted to himself that he has to get better. To me, that's another sign of his maturity.
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Post by Vera on Jun 8, 2003 21:17:13 GMT -5
Source: The International Herald Tribune | www.iht.com French Open Tennis: Ferrero wins title in three-set romp Christopher Clarey AP Monday, June 9, 2003 After a series of near misses in Paris, Spaniard wins his first Grand Slam PARIS Juan Carlos Ferrero, French Open champion. It has had the proper ring to it for several springs now, but that did not necessarily make it easier to achieve. It is difficult to swing freely when the public, the press, even you, are already thinking ahead to the trophy. Yet how could everyone not get ahead of themselves? Ferrero has all that clay-court success requires and more: the penetrating ground strokes, the drop shots, the effective if not overwhelming serve, the motivation, the speed, the endurance. All that he lacks is the communicative enthusiasm and gift for gab that makes tennis champions into tennis stars. But that was hardly enough reason not to lean forward on Court Philippe Chatrier on Sunday and admire the sight of a young, driven man closing the gap between expectation and reality. After all the privation and preparation; after leaving home at age 14 to live in coach Antonio Martinez's humble tennis academy near Valencia, after losing his mother to cancer and after losing three years in a row to the eventual winner here, he really is the French Open champion. And though he has been shaky on this court before, he allowed no room for doubt or suspense in his 6-1, 6-3, 6-2 victory over unseeded Martin Verkerk of the Netherlands. Verkerk, a 6-foot-6 (1.98-meter) cocktail of big serves and bonhomie who sports a proud Dutchman's orange wristband, was the surprise of the tournament in his first appearance here: eliminating Australian Open finalist Rainer Schuettler and clay-court masters Carlos Moya and Guillermo Coria on his thoroughly unexpected way to the final. But on this overcast, gusty Sunday, it was as if the red grit that was constantly swirling in the air corrupted his confidence and service motion. He only put 47 percent of his massive first deliveries into play, which meant that he had to play too many long baseline points right from the first grueling game, in which Ferrero broke his serve. While Verkerk was able to hold his own from the back against less consistent and authoritative men, he was constantly on the defensive against the third-seeded Ferrero, which meant that his weaker stroke - the forehand - eventually broke down. "His level was unbelievable good," said the 24-year-old Verkerk in his engagingly imperfect English. "And maybe I was not playing the way I can, but maybe I did not play so good because he let me not play better than this. So I'm not happy of course, because it's maybe better to lose in five sets or something, but on the other hand, I can say now, 'OK, I had no chance.'" It took just two hours and eight minutes for the Spaniard to underscore the obvious, and the only time he looked distracted was when a streaker jumped out of the stands after the third game of second set with a cluster of tennis balls attached to a strategically important part of his anatomy. While Verkerk laughed, Ferrero kept his game face on, and the only time he looked genuinely vulnerable all afternoon was when he pitched forward onto his knees after hitting the forehand winner that closed out the match. "It's not because I won this tournament that I am going to stop working; I'm going to try to become the best player in the world," he said. "I'm going to try to win other major tournaments and become No. 1." Last year, Ferrero sprained his ankle during a practice session after the first round and had to leave the Roland Garros grounds on crutches. It appeared he would have to withdraw from the tournament, but after receiving painkilling injections, he continued and reached the final where he was being overwhelmed by fellow Spaniard Albert Costa. This time, after taking a break before this tournament to recover from a sore shoulder, Ferrero arrived and remained in perfect health. He sent the first strong signal when he ripped through the in-form Felix Mantilla 6-2, 6-1, 6-1 in the fourth round and his only scare came in the quarterfinals, when the huge-hitting, risk-embracing Fernando Gonzalez pushed him to five sets. "I'd rather play guys who are real specialists on clay than guys who want to finish the point in two or three shots," Ferrero said. Verkerk, the first Dutchman to reach the French Open final, is definitely in the latter category, and with his towering frame, coltish footwork and huge serve, he looks like a man who should be more comfortable on grass or an American-style hard court than the crushed red brick at Roland Garros. But he grew up on clay, and his New Zealand coach Nick Carr still has to push him to take advantage of his big shots by coming to net. To his credit, he tried that tactic against Ferrero, and if he had served a bit better, he might have had more success. But even when he came to net in good position, Ferrero fired passing shots for winners or dipped returns at his big feet. Ferrero will never make his living at net, but he won as many points (13) in that zone as the Dutchman. "He's still not a great athlete; we're trying to make him into a great athlete," Carr said of Verkerk. "It takes time. This was his first big occasion." One that he seemed quite relaxed about beforehand, talking with American champion John McEnroe in the players loung. But perhaps that wasn't the best choice of confidante. McEnroe never won a French Open final either. "Martin felt comfortable and ready to go, but I think when he stepped out there, maybe it was a little bit too big," Carr said. "The other guy has already been out there before." Ferrero has been a star at home since December 2000, when he beat Lleyton Hewitt in the decisive match of the Davis Cup final against Australia to give Spain its first title in tennis's premier competition. But Hewitt beat him to a Grand Slam singles title. So did Marat Safin, another member of the 23-year-old Ferrero's tennis generation. He and Safin used to train together regularly in the Valencia region, and now Ferrero is part of the most important club in the sport. Though he earned E840,000 ($982,000) for his victory and is a millionaire several times over, he does not live in a mansion on the Mediterranean coast. Instead, he still resides and trains with Martinez at the Villena tennis academy, about 30 kilometers (just under 19 miles) from his hometown of Onteniente. He moved there at 14 when his mother Rosario was already ill with cancer, and when he returned to the academy after spending weekends at home, Martinez remembers him being morose and preoccupied by his mother's illness. When she died two years after he moved to Villena, his personality became more withdrawn. But his mission remained clear: he would dedicate himself to being a professional; to honoring his mother's memory. If he is not an emotive crowd-pleaser on court, that is partly because his mother never liked tennis players who were too exuberant. But Ferrero's groundstrokes and returns are certainly full of energy, and perhaps now that he has broken through the Grand Slam barrier, he will allow himself more freedom of expression in other domains, too. "I think he will now feel like a weight has been lifted from his shoulders," said Spain's Davis Cup captain Jordi Arrese. "And I think that will help him win other Grand Slam titles in the United States or Australia. He has the game to do it." Most recent French Open champions have not managed to win majors anywhere else. Not Michael Chang, Andres Gomez, Sergi Bruguera, Thomas Muster, Kuerten nor Costa. Not Yannnick Noah, who sauntered onto center court in sandals and jeans to present the Coupe des Mousquetaires to Ferrero on the 20th anniversary of his emotional victory in Paris. There was not nearly as much emotion this year, but the achievement was every bit as remarkable. ********************************************* What a nice article.
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Post by TennisHack on Jun 9, 2003 22:59:01 GMT -5
Clay-Court King: Ferrero Beats Verkerk To Win Roland Garros Photo By Susan Mullane By Adrianna Outlaw 06/08/2003 He was named after a Spanish king and today Juan Carlos Ferrero rules Roland Garros. Producing a clay-court clinic, the third-seeded Spaniard outclassed unseeded Dutchman Martin Verkerk, 6-1, 6-3, 6-2 to capture the Roland Garros crown. Widely respected as the world’s premier clay-court player, Ferrero had advanced to at least the Roland Garros semifinals for four consecutive years, yet his inability to claim a Grand Slam had caused questions concerning his mental strength in major matches. Today, the man who beat Lleyton Hewitt on red clay to lift Spain to its first Davis Cup championship in history three years ago, erased any doubt about his ability to succeed in a Grand Slam final. The 23-year-old Ferrero said his two hour and four minute victory was the fulfillment of a dream that was 11 years in the making. "I first came here when I was 12 years old and I saw some good matches," said Ferrero, who was named after Spain’s King Juan Carlos. "I started to think that I wanted to win this tournament. And now, 11 years later, I have won the tournament and I am very, very happy." The 2002 Roland Garros runner-up raced through the first set in 37 minutes and never permitted his hard-serving opponent to make much of an impression in their baseline exchanges. Standing several feet behind the baseline to return serve, Ferrero negated Verkerk’s vaunted serve. The man who had swept four seeds from the red clay in succession — beating 29th-seeded Vince Spadea, 11th-seeded Rainer Schuettler, fourth-seeded Spaniard Carlos Moya in the quarterfinals and seventh-seeded Argentine Guillermo Coria in a straight-sets semi — hit 12 aces, but committed seven double faults. Unable to trouble Ferrero from the baseline, Verkerk went for bigger serves, but began missing the mark. He connected on only 46 percent of his first serves and was broken six times. The 24-year-old Verkerk, who had never won a Grand Slam match prior to arriving in Paris two weeks ago, was characteristically classy in defeat, praising the play of Ferrero and declaring his opponent as a worthy winner. "I have to say Juan Carlos was too good; he deserved to win," Verkerk said. "He is a great champion who has been close (to winning) before and he deserved to win today. I congratulate him." The 23-year-old Ferrero became the sixth Spaniard to win Roland Garros and joined compatriots Sergi Bruguera, Carlos Moya and Albert Costa as the fourth Spaniard to lift the title trophy in the past 10 years. The soft-spoken Ferrero dedicated his victory to his mother, Rosario, who passed away when he was 16 years old. "My mother (died) when I was 16," Ferrero said. "I want to send a kiss to her. To win this tournament, I am so unbelievably happy."
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Post by TennisHack on Jun 9, 2003 23:00:10 GMT -5
Ferrero Sets Sights On Top Spot By Richard Pagliaro 06/09/2003
Juan Carlos Ferrero continued a reign of Spain at Roland Garros with his victory over Martin Verkerk in Sunday's final. Now, the third-ranked Ferrero has set his sights on securing tennis' top spot.
"(Reaching) No. 1 is one of my priorities," Ferrero said. "It's the first priority, the top priority. I need 375 (points to equal top-ranked Lleyton Hewitt's total of 4,135), or something. So this is the time I've been as close as possible to No. 1. I think there will be pressure. In Wimbledon, I will try to come closer to No. 1."
The 23-year-old Ferrero, who is first in the ATP Champions Race, is seeking to join compatriot Carlos Moya as the second Spanish man to reach the No. 1 ranking. Moya rose to No. 1 in March 15th, 1999, and Ferrero feels he is in striking distance to take over the top spot. Ferrero has 3,760 points in the Entry System, trailing second-ranked Andre Agassi (3,900) and Hewitt.
While the pressure will be on Wimbledon winner Hewitt to defend the points he earned at Wimbledon last year, Ferrero could move up in the rankings if he improves on his second-round Wimbledon performance from a year ago.
Though he has only played Wimbledon twice, registering a 3-2 record, Ferrero has grand plans for the grass-court Grand Slam.
"I'm gonna win a tournament in Wimbledon, no," Ferrero said jokingly in his post-match press conference. "The next week I'm gonna take a rest and the next week I'm gonna practice in grass court in Spain."
While he's been cast as a clay-court specialist by some, Ferrero has shown the ability to adapt to faster surfaces. He won the Hong Kong title on hard court last year and reached the Tennis Masters Cup final on an indoor hard court last November where he held a 3-1 lead in the fifth set before eventually falling to Hewitt.
Unlike many clay-court players who play several feet behind the baseline, Ferrero has the ability to take the ball earlier, play closer to the baseline and flatten out his shots. His stroke style, combined with his court coverage and improved serve, make Ferrero a threat on faster surfaces.
The confidence that comes with claiming a Grand Slam title has infused Ferrero with the belief he can win one of the three other majors.
"I think maybe I'm gonna think more in Wimbledon or U.S. Open, because how I win this tournament, I want to win another tournament different of this," Ferrero said. "I (am) gonna try to win again this tournament (again). But mentally, right now, (I want to win) the U.S. Open or Australia or Wimbledon because I want to win a (Grand Slam title on) hard court."
His Roland Garros championship has helped Ferrero further close the gap in his chase of Hewitt and he views the 22-year-old Hewitt, who has beaten Ferrero in three of their five meetings, as a worthy rival for years to come.
"I think Hewitt is my main rival," Ferrero said. "Agassi is getting older. Maybe in two years he will think about retiring. Hewitt is one year younger than I am, so he'll stay longer in the tour to fight against me. There are other players we have to take into account also."
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Post by RogiFan on Jun 13, 2003 14:32:05 GMT -5
Here's a long but good article on Juanqui! I learned a few things about him despite having read tons of articles and interviews fr various sources! Enjoy! Juan Carlos II -- Spanish King of Tennis by Priyanka Tayal Juan Carlos Ferrero, a name that has been on the lips of many tennis lovers across the world. Whether posing as a threat to their favorite player, or being their favorite, Ferrero truly has entered the minds and hearts of global spectators, capturing the very essence of mastering the game. Born on 12th February 1980, now at a tender age of 23, Aquarian Ferrero has accomplished much - winning three titles this year itself with an overwhelming win at the French Open, his first Grand Slam title, and tournament wins in home-turf Valencia and the Masters Series title in Monte Carlo, as well as Runner Up at Roland Garros 2002 and the Tennis Masters Cup in Shanghai. Many believe that he is playing the best that he has in his career. "Well... I want to be No. 1 in the world, is one of my goals, you know. And then I want to win Roland Garros some day because it's one of my goals. Of course, I want to win US Open because it's on hard court and I would shut up the, you know, the other people saying that the Spanish people is not playing good in hard courts. So I have three goals", he says as he smiles, prior to his final encounter with Martin Verkerk. With a hotshot record of nine titles, a 200-87 career wins-losses ratio with a 33-7 tally this year itself, who is surprised? Though these victories are noted as examples of sheer class and elegance, Ferrero's presence and mental capability seem to contribute immensely to the nature of his game. He brilliantly and artistically executes groundstrokes, including a killer forehand and a strong, evolving backhand. The young Spaniard also has demonstrated great development, persistence and consistence as his volleying skills have improved, along with his tremendous control, angles and depth which catch his opponents in a tango. This year, a change can be noticed, as Ferrero seems a more complete player. His physical strength has enhanced, allowing him to generate more pace, and give him a more competitive edge. He has improved his serve, as well as his confidence in playing at the net. Ferrero seems to have a charismatic flare and a burning desire for victory, which gives him the edge above so many other players, who recognize his exquisite capability. As current world number one Lleyton Hewitt of Australia said after his defeat in the quarterfinals of the 2000 French Open against the dynamic Ferrero, "There's not much you can do...It's going to take one hell of a player to beat Ferrero." Many believe that Ferrero's saga-like clay court record began with his victory in the Davis Cup 2000 where he convincingly defeated 19-year-old Australian Hewitt. Ferrero himself acknowledges, "Maybe the Davis Cup give me so much confidence.to play in clay courts. But you know, it was two tough matches with a lot of pressure and everything.and it helped me to do very good in the court and difficult situations and everything." Since that epic match, he has often been crowned as Juan Carlos II, the second king of Spain and his kingdom seems to spread all across the world as he continues to reign as one of the kings on clay courts. Yet, the humble Ferrero says, "I don't feel to be the number one because every Spanish player Moya, Alex is playing good, and I don't.its very important to feel the first one." He may not think that he is the best on clay, but many believe that he is close, especially due to his impressive performances at Roland Garros. This year, Fernando Gonzalez stated, "We know that he is one of the best on clay, and I have great respect for Ferrero as a clay courter" while Guillermo Coria says, "He's one of the best players on clay right now. You have to play perfect in order to be able to win against him." Ferrero's own view? "I think is also confidence, you know. In clay court, I have a lot of confidence. It's easy to play good for me.So when I feel very good physically, you know, and very good mentality, I go to the court and the tennis is coming along, you know." More than `just coming along' for sure! With an extraordinary 119-7 win-loss record on clay, it in undoubted that Ferrero has some magic to offer the clay courts. Gustavo `Guga' Kuerten once said, "I enjoy a lot to play against Ferrero. I think he is the best player here in the field.for sure he's in the top level, I think one of the most completely, you know, player in the Tour. He played well in different surface. So he's quite solid to be in the Top 10 for many years I think." Having finally won his long-term ambition, the French Open 2003, it is clear that this year's Ferrero is different from the Runner Up last year. "I think I had the experience last year to play bad the final, you know. And this time, before the match, you know, I was thinking that I have to try to give my best, to try to give my best mentally, physically, tennistically." A spectacular win, Ferrero proved that he was mentally more ready, and his tennis was at top class and panache that he is trademarked for. The first Grand Slam title amongst many to come, in my opinion, and making his way towards becoming the world number one. Being highly affectionate towards his emotional family, and looking towards the heavens, in prayer of his mother, Ferrero charismatically enraptured tennis lovers all over the nation as he elevated and kissed that Musketeer Cup on the 8th of June, 2003. He seemed nearly perfect, he says, "I'm feeling so happy, you know. I mean, you know, is very special to win the tournament that you want to win...I worked a lot. It's been a long time now. It's not because I won this tournament that I'm going to stop working; I'm going to try to become the best of the world. I'm going to try to win good tournaments and to become No. 1 in the world.If I want to reach that goal, I have to continue to work.Be No. 1 is one of my priorities. It's the first priority, the top priority." This year Ferrero seems in a more positive physical condition, and his confidence soars, having dropped merely three sets on his path to the Semi Final. In his four appearances at the French Open, Ferrero has twice reached the Semis, once been a Runner Up, and recently been the Champion. Quite an achievement already for the lad, and the world will watch as he strives to obtain the number one position in the tennis world... Many have said that it is impossible to derive by the look on Ferrero's face, his position in the match - whether he is a set up or down or whatever. Ferrero's intense concentration, seriousness and tranquil disposition however are his assets. The Spaniard chooses to keep his emotions to himself as he confirms, "I am not someone who usually shows his feelings, whether I win or lose. But I can confirm for you I'm the most happy." Perhaps less expressive as compared to other players, Ferrero still possesses an indescribable flamboyance and a determined, dangerous instinct which makes him stronger as a professional. Delicately magical, Ferrero has firmly established himself as a prominent promise in the future of the game. With tremendous skills and growing confidence he says, "I keep going all the time, you know, fighting and fighting. Finally, you know, you win a tournament and you feel very, very happy." Tennis fans all across the world will know, the extent to which Ferrero has progressed in the past few years. He tells, "Everything, we can say that everything has changed. Life, the tournaments, everything has changed a lot." Ferrero's calm serenity and patience on court is undoubtedly dazzling, along with his deadly accuracy and variety. His strengths and capabilities are admired as many look upon him as an idol and inspiration. All this at the age of 23. But then again, he is worth the admiration. When entering as a contender for the New Balls Please campaign, Ferrero said, "I think it will be fun to be famous." Little did he know what that would amount to, commenting after the 2000 Roland Garros "Before, I passed unnoticed, and now I don't and people respect me as a player. Today, for example, I've just signed autographs at the Eiffel Tower and last year, I think I hadn't signed any. But I'm still the same guy, I go to the same hotel, I work with the same coach and my family is with me." It is clear that Ferrero is a shining star, one with tremendous patience and composure. `El Mosquito' as he is nicknamed due in part to his stature but more importantly blistering speed and agility around the court, had an early passion for tennis. He entered numerous competitions and tournaments, slowly making his name as a future star and climbing the ladder of success. Who can forget all his cute photos, especially the one of him dancing at the Champions Ball of the tournament "Les Petits As" in 1994, with Ana Kournikova of Russia? [cont'd next post]
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Post by RogiFan on Jun 13, 2003 14:33:30 GMT -5
:angel: continuation of previous post on Juanqui:
However, his determination suffered a tremendous blow with the death of his mother in 1997. Ferrero even considered giving up his tennis career. But he remembered how much she loved him playing, and rose to the challenge and has lived upto every dream and fantasy, and is satisfying his mother's wishes. It is evident that to Juan Carlos Ferrero, family is first as he blows a kiss to the heavens, and dedicates every win to his mother, an angel standing beside him throughout his career and more importantly his life. As he remembers the times he used to break plugs using tennis balls with his unique preciseness, causing his mother to get angry, he sweetly justifies his current emotional actions, "as [one of] a good son who will never forget." When asked about her at the interview session after his win at the French Open, he responds, "in my mind, she was in the first row."
His father too is deep in Ferrero's heart as he has an everlasting love and admiration for the one who gave up so much for his tennis career. Ferrero states, "[My father has played] A big, a very big part. For ten years I fight to be someone and my father entirely sacrificed himself for me.He's a friend, I learn a lot with him, I respect him." Having a number of quick, sharp glances at his `box' when receiving a serve, and after winning each point reinforces Ferrero's importance to his loved ones. It is clear, that around all this glamour and success, his nerves of steel are still immensely dedicated to those who are important to him as he looks at them for love, support and strength. When asked who helped him to reach the top, he sincerely responds, "My father, my sisters, and Antonio, my coach, but also Samuel Lopez. But above all my family." Even when he won the French Open, he was not at all hesitant to state, "Many people helped me - my coach, my whole family. Everybody helped me to win."
His coach, Antonio Martinez Cascales, talks about Ferrero as, "very responsible and showed me a never-failing faithfulness when many people were advising him to separate from me. They bothered his family but he went on without listening to anybody. Sometimes I myself wonder why... He's very sensitive and loyal with his friends. His success didn't change him. If he has changed, it's because of the age, but it's normal. He's very mature in his work, and a bit less when he has a good time. He's young, and we can't reproach him for anything, since he doesn't do anything wrong. He's a big child."
The young Ferrero is clearly maturing as his career advances. Not only in his game as his shots continue to be subtle yet powerfully accurate, but also as a person. He has started to express his feelings towards the crowds, improving his English skills and trying to make a connection with his numerous fans. He seems to be a well-rounded individual, both on and off the court. When he played in a match in the Davis Cup in Malaga against Kafelnikov, he realized that the crowd was chanting in a chorus `Ferrero!Ferrero!'. To that, he responded, "It gave me goose flesh and I felt something very special. It's hard to explain. Thank God, and I was touched to hear all the people encourage me and say my name." When giving a champion's speech at the end of a tournament, Ferrero speaks the right words as he remembers to thank the numerous people involved - the fans, the hotels, the drivers, the judges, the empires, the ball-kids etc.
Experience is a benefit when playing against tough opponents. However, though Ferrero has comparatively little experience, it is clear that he is climbing the ladder. As the tournaments progress his thoughts and attitude become more focused, direct and precise. He is tallying his experience and advancing, as he seems to become a great thinker and strategist during his matches, clearly challenging his opponent not only physically, but also mentally. When asked to describe himself, he said, "As a person, I'm simple and at the same time extrovert. As a tennis player, first of all I'm aggressive and I want to be considered as a player who enters the court with the big desire to win each point."
Ferrero is vividly known for his blasting pace on court, as Nicolas Lapentti of Ecuador states after his defeat in Roma last year, "I didn't even have time to take a breath because he is so quick." The modest Ferrero responds by acknowledging the abilities of his opponent as he answers, "If he said that, I am happy -- I happy for that because Lapentti is one of the great players on clay court and one of the great players [at the baseline] in clay court as well. So if he said that, I think it's really..."
cont'd next post
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Post by RogiFan on Jun 13, 2003 14:34:40 GMT -5
:angel: more Juanqui ! Many have noticed Ferrero's career since the year 1998 when he turned pro. His stunning skills, flair and style have impressed not only the tennis world but extended itself to a whole new realm. Ferrero is popularly known as `Chavalito' or `Little Kid' by his fellow Spanish players due to his youth. Kid? Perhaps not, as the young McDonald's loving Ferrero has become an attraction for tens and thousands of screaming girls all over the world! With a height of 6' and weighing 72kgs, many of fallen for his soft, bushy blond/brown hair, light brown eyes and captivating voice. Numerous signs read `Te quiero' or `Un beso' viewing Juanqui, as he is affectionately called, in quite a different perspective. It seems that not only has Ferrero become one of the most talented players, but also one of the hottest! In spite of all the success he has had individually, Onteniente born Ferrero is still a dedicated patriot and feels proud to represent Spain in any tournament, especially the Davis Cup. He confidently acknowledges, "We are the only team in the world to have four captains, but it's important to know that the situation in Spain is very different, with so many players well ranked. With the current structure, nobody feels apart." Inspite of his readily evident ambition, Ferrero has not forgotten team spirit and cooperation. He feels, "We have the level to be in the top. I think now we are three in the Top 10, a lot of players in the Top 50 and top hundred. We are in a great form. We are still to hope to be in the top. I think its very important." Just as a note, Ferrero's career win-loss record against fellow Spaniards is 42-14. Ferrero has not got his head in the clouds despite all his success, and is firmly grounded on his own feet. He is just like you and me, except perhaps the salary.But he himself admits, "I'm just a normal guy." He is a vehement football fanatic and admits to become quite nervous and stressed when his favorite teams (in order of preference) Real Madrid, Valencia and Barcelona play. Ferrero also enjoys dancing, as he should with those swift, crafty feet. Undoubtedly however, one of his greatest passions is driving, whether it is motorbikes or fast cars. When recently hitting the racing tracks in Catalonia, an excited Ferrero could be seen prancing around, eager to get into the driver's seat. Though a hard worker and laborer, Ferrero also grabs all opportunities he has to visit some of the sites when he is abroad. During his 2-day period between the quarterfinals and the match with Kuerten in the semifinals of the 2000 French Open, though his concentration and state of mind would certainly be at a peak, Ferrero says "I'm going to see something in Paris. It's perfect." Though the young Spaniard has an overwhelmingly impressive record on both clay courts and hard courts this year, it is the territory of grass courts which stand in his path towards perfection. Ferrero is known among fellow players as being humorous and constantly making them laugh. He proves it in an interview held prior to Wimbledon last year. When asked whether he was playing in Nottingham on grass before progressing to The All England Lawn Tennis Club at Wimbledon, Ferrero wittingly responded, "What is a grass court?" After swallowing a couple of laughs he continued to say, "Yes, I am gonna play Nottingham, but I think it's my second time in grass court so I don't know how I can to play because I don't have preparation on grass court and is gonna be the second match of my life. I played last year in Halle against Gustafsson. I had two set points, I am very happy"...As he cracks into another jovial laugh. The world will wait and watch how that progresses. When a very young Ferrero played one of his first ATP tournament finals against fellow Spaniard Alex Corretja and won, how did he celebrate his victory? "I shaved my head. (Laughter) And I celebrated it with my family. I took ten days of holidays, which hadn't happened to me since I was 12!" It is good to know that Ferrero is growing in confidence as he is now becoming more aware of his solid game and calculatingly beautiful skills, and no longer feels he has to shave his head to celebrate a major victory! In putting all of his amazing qualities down on paper, it is difficult, almost impossible, to deduce that Juan Carlos Ferrero is merely 23 years of age. In his career spanning nearly 6 years, he has uniquely stunned spectators worldwide, enhancing his position as a world- renowned tennis personality. The world will continue to watch as he grows up on court, studying his marvelously spectacular stroke play, eagerness and determination. Ferrero declares, "I would like people to remember me as one of the best players in History, I work for History." That dream is already well on target. Personally, I believe that he is on his way to becoming a true sporting legend and Guru of tennis. The views expressed by the authors do not necessarily reflect those of this magazine. source tennis-ontheline.com/03fer.htm © 2002 Last updated 11 June 2003
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Post by TennisHack on Jun 13, 2003 15:56:25 GMT -5
Thanks, RF! I didn't think it was possible to adore the man anymore than I already do, but I suppose nothing is impossible! So he shaved his head after winning Mallorca, eh? That's a good way to get rid of long locks
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Post by Vera on Jun 13, 2003 20:04:36 GMT -5
Thanks, RF! I didn't think it was possible to adore the man anymore than I already do, but I suppose nothing is impossible! So he shaved his head after winning Mallorca, eh? That's a good way to get rid of long locks LOL, I was thinking the same thing ;D. And thank god he doesn't think it's necessary to shave his head anymore. And wow at this article. I could have been the one who wrote this, I mean, so full of admiration, I thought it could not be possible for anyone but a dedicated fan like us to see all his good characters.
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Post by Vera on Jun 13, 2003 20:06:53 GMT -5
Friday, June 13, 2003 NEW KING OF CLAY: But there's more to JC By Jason Dasey
Juan Carlos Ferrero is Spanish, he's a clay-courter and just loves the baseline. But there's no way you'd call the 2003 French Open champion "one-dimensional" or "boring".
This 23-year-old from Villena breathed much needed life into Roland Garros by claiming his long overdue first Grand Slam title.
It's easy to like Ferrero. His groundstrokes, heavy with topspin, are stunningly precise and he moves with speed and grace. And he has a charming and slightly boyish manner that endears him to everyone around him.
His light frame and agility earned him the well-known nickname of "The Mosquito". But his fellow countrymen on tour have coined another alias for Juan Carlos. It's "Chavalito" which means "little kid" in Spanish.
Ferrero's breakthrough win in Paris means the "little kid" is now well and truly becoming an adult in the sporting world.
Before beating unseeded Dutchman Martin Verkerk in the 2003 French Open final, Ferrero was gaining a reputation as being a young man who often stumbled in the big occasion. His 9-8 record in finals was less than impressive for a player with such natural ability. He seemed to be better known for the championship matches he'd lost rather than won.
Like the 2002 Roland Garros final when he was upset by the less gifted but perhaps more determined Spaniard Albert Costa. And the 2002 Masters Cup final in Shanghai when he threw away a break in the final set to lose to world number one Lleyton Hewitt.
And who could forget those two disappointing defeats to eventual winner Gustavo Kuerten in the 2000 and 2001 French Open semi-finals?
The 2003 victory is just what Ferrero needs to catapult him to the next level. A mental toughness to go with his flamboyant shot making. It's a combination that could well take him to the number-one ranking at year's end.
Ferrero has little to fear with very good head-to-head records with the best players in the world. He's 3-2 versus his old nemesis Kuerten. He has a 2-1 edge over Andre Agassi. He's 2-3 against Hewitt and 3-3 versus Costa. He's also tied 2-2 with Switzerland's Roger Federer. Interestingly, he's never played Americans Pete Sampras nor Andy Roddick.
While his best surface undoubtedly is clay, Ferrero is also a very good player on hardcourts. After making the 2002 Masters Cup final (blasting out Agassi and Carlos Moya along the way) in November, Ferrero was also in the championship match of the Sydney International and a quarter-finalist at the Australian Open in January.
He's already talking up his chances at Wimbledon, but realistically Juan Carlos will make little to no impression with just two weeks to adapt his game to grass.
Last year after playing in the Paris final, Ferrero lasted just two rounds at the All England Club, falling to little known American Jeff Morrison in straight sets.
Like defending Wimbledon champion Lleyton Hewitt, Ferrero has speed to burn. But unlike the abrasive Aussie, the Spaniard is less of a counter-puncher and much more the aggressor in matches. And that's why the unpredictable, low bounce of the All England club will suit him a lot less than the Court Suzanne Lenglen in Paris.
Back in the mid 1990s, I remember watching the one-time French Open champion Thomas Muster hitting up on a practice court at the Queens Club in England about two weeks before Wimbledon. The Austrian was putting on a brave face, but was clearly uncomfortable with his footing on the lush green grass of west London. He ended up losing in the early rounds at both Queens and Wimbledon that year.
I don't believe that Ferrero will end up being one-slam wonder like Muster (1995 French Open), Michael Chang (1989 French Open) and Andres Gomez (1990 French Open), nor a player like Spain's Sergi Bruguera who won the 1993 and 1994 Roland Garros titles, but struggled at the three other Grand Slams. [Incidentally, I think Marat Safin (2000 US Open champion) WILL win another big title or two while Albert Costa (2002 French Open) and Thomas Johannson (2002 Australian Open) WON'T.]
If his light frame (he is 1.82m tall yet weighs just 72kg) can stay relatively injury-free, there's no reason why Ferrero can't win at Flushing Meadows and Melbourne Park, not to mention repeat victories in Paris. He has the perfect game to claim at least another two Grand Slam titles, especially with Agassi and Sampras on the way out and Safin, Federer and even Kuerten struggling for consistency. And Hewitt, as the classic counter-puncher, doesn't have the game to overpower a man like Ferrero when he's really 'on'. New rivals are Argentina's Guillermo Coria and hard-hitting Chilean Fernando Gonzalez, an old foe from his junior days.
Ferrero seems very family-orientated and well-grounded. It was quite touching how on match-point at Roland Garros he looked up to the clouds to think about his mother, Rosario, who died of cancer when he was a teenager. And then after the victory, he jumped into the crowd to hug his entourage, including his father, two older sisters, coach and girlfriend.
This little kid has a very big heart -- and a very big game. The world, and not just the crowds on the seemingly endless European claycourt season, will see a lot more of "Chavalito".
Source: ESPN Star Sports (www.espnstar.com)
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Post by RogiFan on Jun 13, 2003 21:11:11 GMT -5
Vera, that was a nice article too!! And these dumb commentators and writers think Juanqui's boring... no, they are the boring ones... they s be more open-minded, like us!!
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Post by Vera on Jun 17, 2003 16:13:30 GMT -5
I read this radio interview in Lily's JCF site. But since it's translated by someone from spanish, though it's not nice to just copy it to here. So if anyone interested, here's the link: www.jcf.blogspot.com/It's interview during his celebration party after winning RG. He talked to Sete who's in Italy at that time and he said Anna called to congrat him too.
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Post by TennisHack on Jun 17, 2003 20:20:39 GMT -5
Thanks, Vera! That's a cool interview. LOL at trying to translate the slang, though Good to know Juanqui has a wicked sense of humor under that polished, quiet surface
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Post by TennisHack on Jun 24, 2003 14:37:54 GMT -5
Wimbledon-Ferrero flies but grass catches out Verkerk 2003-06-24 17:35:23 GMT (Reuters)
LONDON, June 24 (Reuters) - Freshly-crowned French Open champion Juan Carlos Ferrero made his transition to grass a smooth one on Tuesday as he skittled Jean-Rene Lisnard 6-2 6-1 6-3 to reach the second round.
But the Spanish third seed's vanquished Roland Garros runner-up Martin Verkerk fell back to earth with a bump.
The Dutchman, seeded 21 here on the basis of his astonishing performance in Paris earlier this month, was beaten by Swede Robin Soderling 6-3 6-4 6-7 6-1.
Verkerk could not have been overly surprised at his early exit -- Tuesday's match was only his second on grass.
His first was no better. Last week he lost to German Lars Burgsmueller on his first outing at the Ordina Open in Den Bosch.
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Post by TennisHack on Aug 26, 2003 17:16:40 GMT -5
No. 3 Ferrero Ousts Qualifier Vacek by Joe Checkler Monday, August 25, 2003
Despite his own inconsistency and a valiant match from his qualifier opponent, No. 3 seed Juan Carlos Ferrero overcame Jan Vacek in four sets, 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 to advance to the second round of the 2003 US Open.
A three-quarters-filled Louis Armstrong Stadium saw a surprisingly entertaining duel between Ferrero and Vacek, complete with improbable winners, and even some humor. After regaining control of the match midway through the third set, Ferrero eyed a Vacek lob, faked a smash, and tried to loft a drop shot. Instead he barely hit the net, sending the crowd into a laughing frenzy that ended with the Spaniard half-bowing to his opponent and the stadium.
The first set was all Ferrero, as he broke Vacek twice, including the set-clinching game, without losing his own serve. The still-arriving crowd was most impressed with a development during the set's sixth game, when the umpire's microphone finally turned on - getting more applause than anything else in the first set.
Vacek turned a possible laugher into a match by breaking to go up 2-1 in the second set. He received his break point opportunity when a possible Ferrero winner on 30-30 hit the tape and bounced high, setting up an easy forehand winner. At 30-40, Vacek closed out to earn the break.
Although Ferrero broke Vacek back to get to 3-3 in the second, Vacek broke to get to 5-4, thanks to several Ferrero errors. He closed out the set by winning the match's most contested game, one which saw Ferrero fight off two set points before eventually succumbing to the 27-year-old Czech Republic native.
The third set saw Ferrero break to go up 3-1, and he never allowed Vacek to come close to breaking his serve. The fourth set, the shortest set of the match at 25 minutes, was more of the same as Ferrero used deep forehands and backhands to gain control of and eventually win points.
Next for Ferrero will be the winner of the Jurgen Melzer vs. Brian Baker matchup.
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Post by Vera on Sept 6, 2003 22:03:19 GMT -5
Sunday September 7, 12:05 PM (Source:AAP)
Ferrero wants a second US scalp Andy Roddick versus Juan Carlos Ferrero isn't quite the dream US Open final all America was hoping for.
But it's mighty close, and certainly a worthy one. Roddick, the pre-tournament favourite, fought back from the brink to eke out a career-defining 6-7 (4-7) 3-6 7-6 (9-7) 6-1 6-3 win over David Nalbandian in the second of the semi-finals.
Ferrero had earlier stolen much more than Andre Agassi's thunder with a 6-4 6-3 3-6 6-4 victory over the top seed.
The Spaniard also stole the American's world No.1 ranking and left nervous officials and US television networks desperately praying David wouldn't bring down Goliath in the second match on what is known as Super Saturday in New York.
The USTA and influential broadcasters CBS and USA Network had come under fire from all quarters, with many feeling they'd tried to usher Roddick and Agassi through to the championship finale with favourable scheduling during a rain-marred second week at Flushing Meadows.
Ferrero had made his feelings known about it. The French Open champion was also "angry" that he wasn't considered to have the game for hard courts.
So he went out and set the record straight.
A day after outslugging Australia's 2001 US Open champion Lleyton Hewitt, Ferrero accounted for Agassi, the top-seeded two-time former titleholder who was contesting his ninth semi-final in the Big Apple.
Ferrero can look forward to returning home as the 21st world No.1 in the 30-year history of ATP rankings even if he loses the final.
That was one of the reasons he shed tears of joy after Agassi dragged a forehand wide on the 23-year-old's fourth match point. (I thought I saw that too, he sat on his chair and wipe off the tears using his fingers)
"To be at No.1, it's a special day for me," he said.
Agassi, who will slip to world No.4 in the new rankings on Monday, knew precisely where it all went wrong after dropping five of his first 10 service games to hand Ferrero a two-sets-to-love lead.
"With two good baseliners, whoever is getting a few more free points with the serve has a pretty big advantage. He was just taking care of his business better than I was," said 33-year-old Agassi, who all but vowed to return for his 19th straight tilt at the Open in 2004.
"Something would have to change drastically for me not to be back."
Ferrero is bidding to become the first man since Agassi in 1999 to win two grand slams in one year.
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Post by RogiFan on Sept 6, 2003 22:13:05 GMT -5
thanks for that article, Vera, a very nice one indeed! I love Juanqui for his honesty... he sticks up for what he believes and is NOT afraid to speak his mind... Good for you, Juanqui, you fully deserve the #1 ranking and now you deserve to win the USO as well!!
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Post by Vera on Sept 6, 2003 22:23:41 GMT -5
Welcomed, RF.
It's amazing how they won't let go of that "so you think you can play on hard court now" attitude. I actually like Baldy said in the interview when they asked him if he thinks JC is as good on hard court as on clay. He said something like: Not as good as clay, but better than me. There you go, JC's hard court game is better than the best hard courter in the world (as JMac always say Baldy is the best), but he's even better on clay. I don't wish Baldy to retire now, just keep him around so we can have more of these Baldy shaving party ;D.
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Post by TennisHack on Sept 6, 2003 22:46:34 GMT -5
Apparently PMac was absolutely livid and sputtering with excuses after :ass: lost. He was even so bold as to suggest that Roddick will be the year-ending #1 LMAO. I sincerely hope Cliff wins that bet he placed last year at the Masters Cup. GO CLIFFY!
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Post by Vera on Sept 7, 2003 21:59:32 GMT -5
Open-Consolation prizes not enough for Ferrero By Steve Keating
NEW YORK, Sept 7 (Reuters)
As consolation prizes go, $500,000 and the number one world ranking are not bad.
But they did little to soothe the sting Juan Carlos Ferrero felt after being pummelled 6-3 7-6 6-3 by American Andy Roddick on Sunday in the final of the U.S. Open.
While the quiet Spaniard, who will take possession of the top ranking on Monday, politely accepted the runner-up cheque the gloomy expression written on his face indicated these were not the reasons he had come to New York.
Indeed, they were small consolation for the 23 year-old, who had stepped onto Arthur Ashe stadium court confident he could add a U.S. Open crown to the French Open title he won in June.
"Right now I am a little bit sad," Ferrero said. "But I have to think I did a great job these two weeks. "At the beginning of the week, of the tournament, I didn't expect to be number one and in the final."
The Flushing Meadows fortnight featured an impressive run by Ferrero, who worked his way into his first U.S. Open final against daunting opponents and conditions.
With rain compacting the schedule, the chiseled Spaniard was forced to play four matches in as many days against a murderers row of opponents that included two former champions -- one of them arguably the greatest hardcourt player of all-time.
The minefield the third seed had to manoeuvre through was not for the faint of heart.
A fourth round victory over 1999 U.S. Open finalist Todd Martin was followed by an even more impressive quarter-final win over fiery 2001 champion Lleyton Hewitt.
He capped that with a dazzling semi-final triumph over hard court maestro and eight-time grand slam winner Andre Agassi that landed Ferrero in the final where he could not defuse Roddick's explosive power.
"I was working for that, to play the final, to beat big players like Todd Martin, Hewitt, Agassi and also Roddick," Ferrero said.
"But today was not my day.
"Never before have I experienced four days in a row like this, playing Martin, Hewitt, Agassi and this final today. Never.
"And I hope it doesn't happen again.
"But I learned that I can play pretty good tennis on a hardcourt and I can play against everybody."
__________________________________________
It's not so nice to read that he's so sad, but it's nice to read that he realized what he's accomplished in this fortnight.
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Post by RogiFan on Sept 7, 2003 22:12:49 GMT -5
great article Vera! thanks! not just that Juanqui but you proved that you can play w the big boys in the most adverse of conditions! OLE!! You will always be #1 in our minds!! His calm focus was impressive vs. the Baldy! Hmm... let me just watch that match again, shall I?!
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Post by Vera on Sept 7, 2003 22:40:26 GMT -5
BTW, that Reuters article appears on Aussie Yahoo. I like their articles since it's a lot less bias. I'm waiting to see if any writer from this continent will be big enough to acknowledge JC's achievement in the past 2 weeks, that is when and if they ever finish pushing jr. into the sky.
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