ARTICLE Back ailment forces Ferrero out of Tennis Masters Canada event
Updated at 15:56 on July 26, 2004, EST.
[...]
Spain's Juan Carlos Ferrero became the first seeded player to fall in the tournament. The seventh seed retired in the first set of his match with France's Fabrice Santoro due to back spasms.
The back problem is the latest in a long string of physical problems Ferrero has suffered this year, which include bruised ribs, a stomach strain, wrist ailment and a bout with the chicken pox. As a result, Ferrero came here having played just 19 matches after finishing ranked third in the world last year.
"It's very strange because all my life I was, you know, (a) physical guy with no important injuries," Ferrero said. "It has been quite a difficult year for me."
Ferrero, seeded seventh, required a back massage in the fourth game of the opening set versus Santoro. Ferrero returned to finish the fifth game but when he attempted to serve to tie the match at 3-3, he grimaced in obvious pain and his first serve was noticeably slower than it was earlier.
Then, just 36 minutes into the match, Ferrero decided to retire, giving Santoro the win. Ferrero said he experienced back spasms earlier this year at the Australian Open, but added they were quite mild.
"I was playing good in the match and felt comfortable," Ferrero said. "At 2-2, I hit a return and started to feel it (in his back).
"When I was serving I felt I couldn't still play."
Ferrero expects to remain here for treatment the next few days before deciding whether to play in the next Tennis Masters Series event in Cincinnati.
[...]
>>Taken from Canadian press
Updated at 15:56 on July 26, 2004, EST.
[...]
Spain's Juan Carlos Ferrero became the first seeded player to fall in the tournament. The seventh seed retired in the first set of his match with France's Fabrice Santoro due to back spasms.
The back problem is the latest in a long string of physical problems Ferrero has suffered this year, which include bruised ribs, a stomach strain, wrist ailment and a bout with the chicken pox. As a result, Ferrero came here having played just 19 matches after finishing ranked third in the world last year.
"It's very strange because all my life I was, you know, (a) physical guy with no important injuries," Ferrero said. "It has been quite a difficult year for me."
Ferrero, seeded seventh, required a back massage in the fourth game of the opening set versus Santoro. Ferrero returned to finish the fifth game but when he attempted to serve to tie the match at 3-3, he grimaced in obvious pain and his first serve was noticeably slower than it was earlier.
Then, just 36 minutes into the match, Ferrero decided to retire, giving Santoro the win. Ferrero said he experienced back spasms earlier this year at the Australian Open, but added they were quite mild.
"I was playing good in the match and felt comfortable," Ferrero said. "At 2-2, I hit a return and started to feel it (in his back).
"When I was serving I felt I couldn't still play."
Ferrero expects to remain here for treatment the next few days before deciding whether to play in the next Tennis Masters Series event in Cincinnati.
[...]
>>Taken from Canadian press
