David Ferrer: emotional farewell for the finalist of RG 2013

The fans obliged and gave Ferrer a goosebump-inducing standing ovation before he slammed down his very last serve. Moments later, he sent a backhand long, putting an end to his storied 19-year journey as a pro. 

For one last time, the ‘Little Beast’ walked to the ‘T’ at the centre of the service line and dropped his headband on the court, a signature move he’d been doing after every tournament he played this year, literally leaving his sweat behind on the battle field, in true warrior spirit.

“I finished my career when I wanted to finish, the moment that I wanted. I am a lucky man,” Ferrer told reporters in his post-match press conference.

The entire week in Madrid felt like one big emotional celebration of the 37-year-old Ferrer, who opted to bid farewell to the sport at home in the Spanish capital.

Congratulations poured in from everyone he encountered while walking around the venue. His wife Marta and son Leo had been there for his final event, with his one-year-old incidentally learning to take his very first steps at the Madrid Open of all places. Where one journey ends, another begins.

Ferrer’s friends and fans from his hometown Javea traveled to Madrid to witness his final goodbye, donning bright yellow shirts that carried his face and the words ‘Gracias Ferru’. Even Alex Corretja, the two-time Roland-Garros finalist, was wearing one as he interviewed Ferrer on court after the match.

"The Wall"

Ferrer’s peers were asked to describe him in one word, in a video put together by the ATP. To no one’s surprise, they all used the term ‘fighter’ in their tributes. ‘The Wall’, as many nicknamed him, was renowned for never giving up, his relentless attitude pushing his rivals to their limits. A match against Ferrer was a mental and physical challenge of the utmost degree.

“I'm a big admirer of his work ethic and personality. Of course, also his success. But the person comes first and he's been so solid for the last 20 years,” Roger Federer said of Ferrer earlier this week. 

“He's always been the same guy and I have always appreciated that.”

Ferrer admits he never expected to receive such a big and emotional farewell from the tennis world and was touched by the affection he received these past few weeks.

“It’s worth more [than a title],” Ferrer said in an interview with ATPTour.com. “In the end, all you have left is the person. The titles stay in my trophy room, but they are no more than trophies. The experiences I’ve had, the affection I have received from the fans and my peers and friends in the world of tennis is what will stay with me.”

Ferrer hangs up his racquet after contesting 1110 ATP matches. He racked up 734 victories, with only three active players recording more wins – Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. 

Successful in Paris

Roland-Garros witnessed one of his biggest career highlights when he reached the final in Paris in 2013. He lost to Nadal in what was the tournament’s first all-Spanish final since 2002. The Parisian event was Ferrer’s most successful Grand Slam, where he amassed a 44-16 win-loss record (73.3% success rate), and reached the quarter-finals or better on six occasions.

The French capital holds a special place in Ferrer’ heart, as it’s also where he lifted his only Masters 1000 trophy in Paris-Bercy in 2012, which helped him reach a career-high ranking of No.3 a few months later. 

Coinciding in the same era as Nadal, a 17-time Grand Slam champion, must not have been easy for Ferrer but he still managed to carve a name for himself in the history of Spanish sport, according to former Wimbledon champion and Spain’s ex-Davis Cup captain Conchita Martinez.

“At the top,” Martinez told rolandgarros.com when asked where Ferrer ranks among all Spanish athletes.

“He’s an unbelievable competitor. He’s done so much, played some amazing and memorable matches. It’s not easy to grow up and play at the same time as Rafa, because sometimes you’re a little bit in the shadow, but putting that aside and not comparing them, I think David has done amazing and he’s up there for sure.”

Nadal described Ferrer’s retirement as a “bad news for Spanish sport” and said his compatriot was “an example for hard work and daily improvement”.

At 175cm, Ferrer was far from being the biggest guy on tour and he showed other players of his size that you didn’t need to be 2m tall to succeed.

“Very sad to see him retiring because he was the one – he was a good person to look up to, for me. He's similar height,” said Kei Nishikori.

“The way he plays, I was learning so many things from him and we played so many times and I learned so many stuff from him. He was like my idol.

It is incredible what he did, his career, playing the top level for a long time. I don't think anybody did that before.”

World No.1 Djokovic is also sad to see Ferrer go and reserved high praise for the man he faced 21 times on the court.

The Serb said: “I share tremendous respect for David as player and as a person as well. He's someone that has earned that respect many times in his career. His fighting spirit, his devotion to the sport is unprecedented and in a way it's sad to see him leave.

“But he is always going to be welcome in our sport. And the doors will always be open for him.”

During his farewell ceremony on court in Madrid, Ferrer thanked everyone who contributed to his career, from his very first coach to his family, friends and peers.

Asked what legacy he leaves behind him in the sport, he said: “I fought until the last point. Maybe that.”

He certainly did!