Post match interview -- Juan Carlos Ferrero - Day 4
J.C. FERRERO/ N. Escude
6-7, (7-5) 6-3, 6-3, ret.
Q. Did you realize at one time that Escude was going to retire?
JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: I didn't know so well. I think he start to feel the problem in the third set. So, you know, for me, was not so good. I wanted to play more time in the court, and I wanted to win – I don't want to win like this. You know, is not a good win.
But sometimes you have to do this. Bad luck for him.
Q. The first two sets, it was a good test for you?
JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: I think was a good tennis. We played a good tennis today on grass. The first set was so close after I had the break. The second and third, I think I play a great tennis, all the time, very, very solid, and very, very regular, I think. I think is not easy to play like this on grass. So I'm happy.
Q. How do you feel on grass?
JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: I'm feeling great. I think I play a great tennis this match and the last match. I hope to keep going in this tournament.
Q. How do you prepare for this tournament? Do you stay in Spain?
JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Yeah, I stay in Spain. I was practicing since past Wednesday on synthetic grass. You know, I just practice three days there after the parties of Roland Garros, you know. I came here on Friday and I start to practice Saturday, Sunday. You know, I start on Tuesday.
Q. Do you feel more comfortable on grass this year than the previous years?
JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Maybe yes because I think I'm playing better tennis than the other years. And also if you win to Escude, I won two sets, I know, but I think I was on the good way to win today. So I feel better than the other years, I think.
Q. How closely does synthetic grass resemble real grass?
JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: I don't know. I don't know exactly. I don't know.
Q. Do you get the same kind of bounce?
JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: I think. Is like the same. I can't tell you the difference because I just practiced three days.
Q. In Las Vegas, you’re a 60‑1 shot to win this tournament, which means you're an extreme outsider. Do you think you have a lot better chance than that?
JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: It's okay, yeah? Not bad, yeah. No, I think is more than the other years. Is okay, I'm happy.
Q. What does it tell about the development of tennis that for the first time I think this year you, as the prize money leader amongst the men, have earned less than the top two or top three women?
JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: At least I have to win the same money as the Top 20, no? But is not happen this. I think is not so good for me, and good for them.
Q. How is it explainable?
JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Nicola (Arzani) can tell you (laughter).
J.C. FERRERO/ N. Escude
6-7, (7-5) 6-3, 6-3, ret.
Q. Did you realize at one time that Escude was going to retire?
JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: I didn't know so well. I think he start to feel the problem in the third set. So, you know, for me, was not so good. I wanted to play more time in the court, and I wanted to win – I don't want to win like this. You know, is not a good win.
But sometimes you have to do this. Bad luck for him.
Q. The first two sets, it was a good test for you?
JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: I think was a good tennis. We played a good tennis today on grass. The first set was so close after I had the break. The second and third, I think I play a great tennis, all the time, very, very solid, and very, very regular, I think. I think is not easy to play like this on grass. So I'm happy.
Q. How do you feel on grass?
JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: I'm feeling great. I think I play a great tennis this match and the last match. I hope to keep going in this tournament.
Q. How do you prepare for this tournament? Do you stay in Spain?
JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Yeah, I stay in Spain. I was practicing since past Wednesday on synthetic grass. You know, I just practice three days there after the parties of Roland Garros, you know. I came here on Friday and I start to practice Saturday, Sunday. You know, I start on Tuesday.
Q. Do you feel more comfortable on grass this year than the previous years?
JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Maybe yes because I think I'm playing better tennis than the other years. And also if you win to Escude, I won two sets, I know, but I think I was on the good way to win today. So I feel better than the other years, I think.
Q. How closely does synthetic grass resemble real grass?
JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: I don't know. I don't know exactly. I don't know.
Q. Do you get the same kind of bounce?
JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: I think. Is like the same. I can't tell you the difference because I just practiced three days.
Q. In Las Vegas, you’re a 60‑1 shot to win this tournament, which means you're an extreme outsider. Do you think you have a lot better chance than that?
JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: It's okay, yeah? Not bad, yeah. No, I think is more than the other years. Is okay, I'm happy.
Q. What does it tell about the development of tennis that for the first time I think this year you, as the prize money leader amongst the men, have earned less than the top two or top three women?
JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: At least I have to win the same money as the Top 20, no? But is not happen this. I think is not so good for me, and good for them.
Q. How is it explainable?
JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Nicola (Arzani) can tell you (laughter).
