Day Four Preview
By Guillaume Baraise
[.....]
Juan Carlos Ferrero is most people's tip for the tournament, especially since Federer's early exit. The Spaniard has been in imperious form this year on clay, and would have started as out-and-out favorite for his match with Chilean Nicolas Massu even before the latter picked up an ankle injury in his first round win over Swede Magnus Norman. It remains to be seen whether the South American even manages to turn up for this one, but if his ankle recovers he will pose Ferrero problems. He won in Buenos Aires last year and was a member of the Chilean team that memorably lifted the ATP World Team Championship trophy just last week in Buenos Aires. Massu and fellow countryman Fernando Gonzalez have successfully taken over the mantle from their illustrious predecessor Marcelo Rios. Gonzalez meets a member of the Spanish armada, Albert Portas, in an intriguing match-up between two fine exponents of the clay court art.
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Day 4: Thursday, 29 May Schedule of Play
COURT 2 11:00 AM Start [Court 2 again!!]
1. Men's Singles - 2nd Rnd. - Juan Carlos Ferrero (ESP)[3] vs. Nicolas Massu (CHI)
[Some news sources have said that Massu will forfeit the match due to ankle injury]
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Beyond the Baseline: Juan Carlos Ferrero
ATPTennis.com
The ATP this week begins a new series featuring the personalities behind the players of the ATP circuit.
2002 in Review
I think I played very well, from January to the end of the year because when I started the year I had a few injuries and I could not play Australia and some tournaments in the beginning. But I think finally I played very well, reaching the final of the Masters Cup and finishing No.4.
Greatest victory in 2002
Maybe Monte-Carlo. I played the final in Roland Garros but I could not win, so I think the greatest victory for me was in Monte-Carlo.
Greatest victory in my career
The Davis Cup was the most important one for me and for Spain.
Goals for 2003
If I am not No.1, I would like to be in the top five and to try and win one Grand Slam because I have played two big finals but I could not win. I try to improve mentally. It is tough to be positive the whole year because the year is very long.
My coach (Antonio Martinez)
My coach is very normal. I have been practicing with him since I was nine years old so I have been with him a long time. I know him a long time; he's a happy person and it's easy to travel with him.
Other sports
I am not sure but before I started playing tennis I was playing soccer; I liked it so much and I think I played well. I was playing in my home city team. Motorbikes, rallies, soccer. I like Real Madrid and I like skiing.
What I like about tennis
When I go to the court I enjoy seeing the people cheering me in the big stadiums.
Strongest part of my game
For me it is mentally because if I feel well mentally I am going to play well. I think it is not only for me but the same for all the other players.
Toughest opponent
There are a lot of difficult players. Maybe Marat Safin.
Ideal dinner guest
My girlfriend
Favorite music
I like everything: rock, hip hop, Spanish music, U2, J-Lo. I like Eminem.
What makes me happy
To win some matches, spend some time with my family because we are often apart, to go to watch soccer, Real Madrid. To watch motorbikes and rallies because it is different from tennis.
Life after tennis
I am not thinking of this now but maybe I will work in my Academy in Spain to try and help young guys growing up and bringing or giving some money to help all these people.
Best part about playing tennis
You are working in something that you love and also you win money and the most important thing is that you are doing the work that you like.
How I would describe myself
The same as always: the money does not change me, the travel does not change me, the victories do not change me. I am the same person as 10 years ago, so people see me as the same person as before. I think that people see me as a normal person, that I am a good guy, not only on the court but out of the court.
Rising stars
There are some guys coming up very quickly, like [Richard] Gasquet, like [Paul-Henri] Mathieu. It is good for tennis; people like to see new faces coming up and playing well like Safin, me or Hewitt a few years ago.
Tournament I would most like to win
I would like to do well in the Australian Open and also Indian Wells, Miami and the US Open. Last year I could not play Australia. I played in the US Open and Miami and I could not play my high level.
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One more picture from round 1
By Guillaume Baraise
[.....]
Juan Carlos Ferrero is most people's tip for the tournament, especially since Federer's early exit. The Spaniard has been in imperious form this year on clay, and would have started as out-and-out favorite for his match with Chilean Nicolas Massu even before the latter picked up an ankle injury in his first round win over Swede Magnus Norman. It remains to be seen whether the South American even manages to turn up for this one, but if his ankle recovers he will pose Ferrero problems. He won in Buenos Aires last year and was a member of the Chilean team that memorably lifted the ATP World Team Championship trophy just last week in Buenos Aires. Massu and fellow countryman Fernando Gonzalez have successfully taken over the mantle from their illustrious predecessor Marcelo Rios. Gonzalez meets a member of the Spanish armada, Albert Portas, in an intriguing match-up between two fine exponents of the clay court art.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Day 4: Thursday, 29 May Schedule of Play
COURT 2 11:00 AM Start [Court 2 again!!]
1. Men's Singles - 2nd Rnd. - Juan Carlos Ferrero (ESP)[3] vs. Nicolas Massu (CHI)
[Some news sources have said that Massu will forfeit the match due to ankle injury]
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Beyond the Baseline: Juan Carlos Ferrero
ATPTennis.com
The ATP this week begins a new series featuring the personalities behind the players of the ATP circuit.
2002 in Review
I think I played very well, from January to the end of the year because when I started the year I had a few injuries and I could not play Australia and some tournaments in the beginning. But I think finally I played very well, reaching the final of the Masters Cup and finishing No.4.
Greatest victory in 2002
Maybe Monte-Carlo. I played the final in Roland Garros but I could not win, so I think the greatest victory for me was in Monte-Carlo.
Greatest victory in my career
The Davis Cup was the most important one for me and for Spain.
Goals for 2003
If I am not No.1, I would like to be in the top five and to try and win one Grand Slam because I have played two big finals but I could not win. I try to improve mentally. It is tough to be positive the whole year because the year is very long.
My coach (Antonio Martinez)
My coach is very normal. I have been practicing with him since I was nine years old so I have been with him a long time. I know him a long time; he's a happy person and it's easy to travel with him.
Other sports
I am not sure but before I started playing tennis I was playing soccer; I liked it so much and I think I played well. I was playing in my home city team. Motorbikes, rallies, soccer. I like Real Madrid and I like skiing.
What I like about tennis
When I go to the court I enjoy seeing the people cheering me in the big stadiums.
Strongest part of my game
For me it is mentally because if I feel well mentally I am going to play well. I think it is not only for me but the same for all the other players.
Toughest opponent
There are a lot of difficult players. Maybe Marat Safin.
Ideal dinner guest
My girlfriend
Favorite music
I like everything: rock, hip hop, Spanish music, U2, J-Lo. I like Eminem.
What makes me happy
To win some matches, spend some time with my family because we are often apart, to go to watch soccer, Real Madrid. To watch motorbikes and rallies because it is different from tennis.
Life after tennis
I am not thinking of this now but maybe I will work in my Academy in Spain to try and help young guys growing up and bringing or giving some money to help all these people.
Best part about playing tennis
You are working in something that you love and also you win money and the most important thing is that you are doing the work that you like.
How I would describe myself
The same as always: the money does not change me, the travel does not change me, the victories do not change me. I am the same person as 10 years ago, so people see me as the same person as before. I think that people see me as a normal person, that I am a good guy, not only on the court but out of the court.
Rising stars
There are some guys coming up very quickly, like [Richard] Gasquet, like [Paul-Henri] Mathieu. It is good for tennis; people like to see new faces coming up and playing well like Safin, me or Hewitt a few years ago.
Tournament I would most like to win
I would like to do well in the Australian Open and also Indian Wells, Miami and the US Open. Last year I could not play Australia. I played in the US Open and Miami and I could not play my high level.
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One more picture from round 1
