COMMENTS The comments feature to this blog has been activated. Now non-members can leave comments. So please feel free to discuss, leave notes, post urls etc. I trust that you will all use discretion but will still be monitoring all posts. ^^


2005 DC DRAW The 2005 draw has been released. The #1 seeded Spain faces Slovakia in the first round in Slovakia with the choice of grounds decided by lot. After the first round it looks like an extremely tough line up with Switzerland and Australia in the same half =( Anyway, first to focus on this year and then we'll go from there ^^

>> full draw

Posted by nana at 11:41 PM

AWARD At the Palace of El Pardo the King will present JC with a medal for the Real Order of the Sport Merit, best Spanish sportsman corresponding to the year 2003. (ceremony starts at 11:30)

JC is to be honored for reaching #1 in 2003, winning his first grand slam title in Roland Garros and also claiming the Masters Series titles in Monte Carlo and Madrid.

>> article (in Spanish)

Posted by nana at 1:02 PM

ARTICLE Spain opt for Seville clay


The Davis Cup final between Spain and the USA will take place in Seville from 3-5 December.

The Spanish Tennis Federation has chosen to play the tie at the La Cartuja stadium, which has a capacity of 22,000.

The venue also hosted the 2003 Uefa Cup final between Celtic and Porto.

The clay courts will suit the Spanish players while slowing down the big-hitting Andy Roddick, who will lead the US challenge.

Madrid had wanted to host the final to boost the city's bid for the 2012 Olympics but Spain's coaching team judged the capital's high altitude would suit the fast-serving Americans.

Posted by nana at 1:15 AM

PHOTO & NEWS The Academy of Tennis Equelite - Juan Carlos Ferrero will open new offices abroad in Duseldorf, Germany and Cairo, Egypt to promote tennis in these two countries.

pic: shaking hands

Posted by nana at 5:47 PM

ARTICLE Ferrero pulls out of Shanghai Open

SHANGHAI, Sept. 27 (Xinhuanet) -- Top seed Juan Carlos Ferrero has withdrawn from Shanghai Heineken Open due to injury at the last minute prior to the tournament swings into action, tournament director Michael A. Luevano announced on Monday.

"Last night I received a call from Spain saying Mr. Ferrero was injured in the Davis Cup ties with France, so he cannot come to Shanghai," Luevano said.

The 24-year-old Spaniard suffered knee injury** during Friday's Davis Cup match against Fabrice Santoro of France, and his doctor advised him to quit Sunday's game as well as the Shanghai Open, ATP official Andrei Silva said.

The pullout of Ferrero will take some luster off the Shanghai tournament, said organising committee secretary Jiang Lan. "In nodoubt it is a big loss for us, and we will try our best to make upfor it," he added.

Ferrero, plagued by injuries throughout the season, has not advanced as far as the quarterfinals in an event in more than fivemonths.

**PS: Not sure what injury that JC has. Quote from reuters
...
"Ferrero's absence was forced (in Davis cup semifinal), after the blister on his hand left him barely able to pick up the racket."
...
to read the full article click here.

Posted by Unknown at 7:34 PM

DRAW Shanghai open
JC as the first seed in Shanghai Heineken Open would face qualifier in the first round. to see the rest of the draw please click here.**

ARTICLE New Generation Sees Spain to Fifth Final

Fate works in mysterious ways. Without an injury to Carlos Moya, Rafael Nadal would almost certainly not have played singles against France this weekend - indeed he might not yet have played singles in Davis Cup by BNP Paribas at all, given that his first singles appearance in February's first round against the Czech Republic came as a result of his fellow-Mallorcan's injury. And only a failure by the Spanish backroom team to meet the Davis Cup nominations deadline saw Nadal play against Arnaud Clement in the first of the reverse singles of this semifinal in Alicante.

But once on court, the 18-year-old left-hander showed why so many people are tipping him to get to the top. After taking five games to settle against the experienced French Davis Cup campaigner, Nadal played two-and-a-half sets of superb tennis, barely making a mistake, and making Clement look a novice.

There is something infectious about Nadal's self-belief and keenness to win. He was the driving force behind Spain's five-sets doubles win on Saturday which paved the way for the victory to confirm Spain's fifth Davis Cup final (and third in five years). And the way he bounced around the court in Alicante's imposing bull ring, finding angles and corners, and showing brilliant reflexes, left Clement looking like the bull and the young pretender clearly the matador.

At the start of the year, Spain were keen to sign up Carlos Moya and Juan Carlos Ferrero for their 2004 Davis Cup by BNP Paribas campaign. Though the pair have each notched up two live wins in Spain's three ties this year, it is Nadal who has captured the imagination with two singles wins in decisive rubbers. His straight-sets win over Radek Stepanek in February saw Spain into the quarterfinals after trailing 1-2 going into the final day, and a second straight-sets win over Clement has seen Spain into a home final against the USA in December.

The question now is: will Nadal be offered a singles berth in that final? He himself thinks not. "If necessary I can play singles and doubles," he said, "but I think Ferrero and Moya are still favourites to play the singles if they're playing well."

That could be a big "if". Ferrero and Moya are both carrying injuries, Ferrero's right-hand blister is enough to cause him to withdraw from this coming week's tournament in Shanghai, while Moya is struggling with shoulder and knee niggles, as well as damaged confidence following his five-sets defeat to Paul-Henri Mathieu on Friday. They need to play well in the eight remaining weeks of the season, most of which takes place on fast indoor courts which they prefer less than the clay on which they will play December's Davis Cup by BNP Paribas final.

The impression from the weekend was that Nadal might currently be a better clay-court player than Moya. The elder Mallorcan, who is desperate for a Davis Cup winner's medal after missing the 2000 triumph through injury and being on the losing side against Australia last year, is a vastly improved player on faster surfaces but seems to have lost some of his patience on clay.

Spain certainly enjoyed a fair bit of luck over the past weekend. The injury to Fabrice Santoro that prevented him from playing in the doubles turned a match the French were expected to win into a 50:50, and Nadal's brilliance in singles rescued a potentially embarrassing situation when the Spaniards discovered neither Ferrero nor Moya could play on the final day. Ferrero's late withdrawal prompted a decision to put Robredo in against Clement and leave Nadal to face Mathieu, but the backroom staff were too late announcing the switch, so Robredo had to face Mathieu after all. As it happened, Robredo won the dead rubber 64 64 to make the overall score 4-1.

So to the final, and Moya raised an interesting prospect. Asked if he thought the Americans might turn to Andre Agassi for their second singles slot, Moya replied: "It would be great - Roddick, Agassi and the [Bryan] twins, it would be one of the best finals possible. But I don't know if he's going to change his mind right now."

Probably not, but US captain Patrick McEnroe is probably thinking about picking up the phone and dialling Las Vegas...

**PS: There's no clear news about JC participation in the shanghai open yet although the draw has included him. We'll keep you posted, for now let's hope that JC is allright... or maybe happily drunk ^_^

Posted by Unknown at 2:40 AM

PHOTOS *w00t* Rafa did it!! Nadal sealed the DC semis with a 6-4, 6-1, 6-2 win over France's Clement in the 4th rubber. Spain is now in the final for the second year in a row and will face the USA for the Cup ^^

pic: no champagne...
pic: hug
pic: the Armada having a laugh
pic: cheering

Posted by nana at 2:24 AM

ATP INSIDER Ok... so it's a week old but still interesting ^^ Wonder how many people lined up for JC's autograph session... more than 400??

IN BEIJING: Autographs sessions have been a huge hit this year at the China Open. CARLOS MOYA had 350 people line up for his signature, while IVO HEUBERGER signed autographs for 200 fans.

-- > The players in Beijing are held in such high regard, that extra security has been given to the top players in the field. JUAN CARLOS FERRERO, for example, has eight guards will him at all times as fans flock wherever he goes. Ferrero, CARLOS MOYA and MARAT SAFIN are so popular that even the army personnel working as security will break from their stoic position to ask for autographs and have pictures taken with those three.

Posted by nana at 8:51 AM

PHOTO JC supporting his fellow Spaniards in doubles ^^

Posted by nana at 3:01 AM

AUDIO Clip and transcript of JC's post match interview. MP3 format.

>> audio clip


Q: JC you played the first 3 games today the way you played the first two sets yesterday.

JC: Exactly. YOu know I thought before I went to the court that I have to play the same way as the two sets yesterday. So I started very strong, very solid, very concentrate all the time, every point. So I think was the key to start very good the match again.

Q: Did you feel extra pressure yesterday when you went out on court after Carlos Moya's defeat to Paul-Henri Mathieu?

JC: Always it's difficult when you go out to play and you go 1-0 down. Was the same example as last time I played the final in Barcelona. I went to court exactly the same. So I had the experience. I went to the court, don't think about think about these points. So, I tried to be focused in my game and tried to win the point.

Q: One of the reasons for choosing Alicante was that it's near your home. Is this
becoming the tie you had hoped it would be?

JC: Ya, of course. I think the people are supporting the team very good. Screaming all the time, say everything we need in the whole moments. I think they are supporting very good so it's the tie that I expect.


Count: 'ahh' = 17 and 'you know' = 5
Oh, the 'ahh's are winning!! Not sure which is better ^^

Posted by nana at 2:39 AM

PHOTOS More pictures from JC's match against Santoro that was completed today.

pic: serve
pic: celebrating
pic: watching the return
pic: low return
pic: handshake
pic: fist pump
pic: reach
pic: battle cry
pic: good shot
pic: service motion
pic: hug Jordi
pic: taking a bow
pic: wave
pic: clapping
pic: with Santoro
pic: wave and sticking out tongue <3

- new -
pic: on the run
pic: backhand

Posted by nana at 8:39 PM

UPDATE All Tied Up in Alicante

Spain's Juan Carlos Ferrero has levelled the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas semifinal tie against France at 1-1 defeating Fabrice Santoro in the singles rubber suspended on Friday due to bad light.

Play resumed at 11.30am local time with the Spaniard leading by to sets to one and level at 3-3 in the fourth. Ferrero needed just three games to clinch the match 63 61 16 63 in two hours 43 minutes.

Santoro has been replaced by Arnaud Clement for the doubles rubber, which will commence at 2pm local time.

Posted by nana at 8:38 PM

PHOTOS A couple photos from JC's match against Santoro Friday. More to come later.

pic: mmmm... banana
pic: disbelief
pic: close-up
pic: fist pump
pic: forehand
pic: another forehand
pic: another backhand
pic: return
pic: good (?)
pic: backhand
pic: missed an easy shot
pic: postponing the match
pic: discussing with captains

Posted by nana at 5:02 AM

ARTICLE Ferrero Must Wait to Level Tie

Failing light has put paid to Spain's Juan Carlos Ferrero bid to level the tie against France today. Ferrero holds the crucial overnight advantage with the score currently lying at 63 61 16 33 against Fabrice Santoro.

The Spaniard appeared to be breezing through the match, comfortably claiming the first two sets. However, Santoro managed to claw his way back by taking the third set with relative ease. Ferrero, apparently unfazed, claimed the early break in the fourth set, only to be broken back by Santoro to level the fourth set at 3-3 before play was suspended.

The match will resume at 11:30am local time on Saturday with the doubles rubber commencing at least one and a half hours the end of the singles rubber, the Entitlement to Rest Rule will be enforced.

Posted by nana at 5:01 AM

PHOTOS



group photo
Moya and Mathieu
JC and Santoro
Doubles photo
Moya and Rafy

-- new --
resting with Moya
stretching for forehand
thirsty
Armada at the ceremony


Thanks to gosinka0 for posting some of these pics on the forum ^^


ARTICLES Forget Springs Selection Surprise

The draw for the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas Semifinal in Alicante between Spain and France has been made and is as follows:
Carlos Moya (ESP) v Paul-Henri Mathieu (FRA)
Juan Carlos Ferrero (ESP) v Fabrice Santoro (FRA)
Rafael Nadal/Tommy Robredo (ESP) v Michael Llodra/Fabrice Santoro (FRA)
Carlos Moya (ESP) v Fabrice Santoro (FRA)
Juan Carlos Ferrero (ESP) v Paul-Henri Mathieu (FRA)

After sitting out Davis Cup by BNP Paribas for more than a year, Fabrice Santoro returns to action this weekend with possibly the most important role in France's semifinal away to Spain.

The 31-year-old Frenchman, admired across the tennis world for the wizardry he can weave with his unorthodox strokes, has been thrown in to face the former world No 1 Juan Carlos Ferrero on the opening day of the world group semifinal in the impressive Alicante bull ring. And it seems hard to imagine France winning without at least two victories by Santoro.

Though Santoro and his doubles partner Michael Llodra are ranked well above Arnaud Clément, most observers expected Clément to challenge the out-of-form Ferrero on the temporary claycourt. But Forget, having just repaired the broken bridges between him and Santoro which led to Santoro's absence from France's two ties this year, has asked the 36th-ranked wizard to face the former French Open champion, and team up with Llodra in Saturday's doubles.

"I owe it to the tie to pick my best players on the first day," said Forget explaining his decision, "and Fabrice is playing best at the moment. I realise many people will be surprised, but to me it is a justifiable decision."

Any team selection by Forget has to be seen in the context of two factors: firstly the absence of France's top-ranked player Sébastien Grosjean, who may not play for the rest of the year as a result of a persistent thigh injury; and secondly the fact that France under Forget have consistently achieved more in Davis Cup by BNP Paribas than the rankings of their players suggest.But the return of Santoro to play singles and doubles is somewhat surprising, as well as being a victory for conflict resolution. Forget dropped him for this year's first round tie against Croatia, saying he was not a team player, and Santoro missed the quarterfinal away to Switzerland which France won thanks to Nicolas Escudé's fifth-rubber win over Michel Kratochvil. But with Escudé and Grosjean injured, the motive was there for the bridges to be rebuilt, and both Forget and Santoro are pleased the differences are now behind them.

"I'm very happy to be back in the team," said Santoro. "It's great to start the Davis Cup year in the semifinals. Nobody can be confident about playing Ferrero on clay, no one player in the world can be sure to beat him, but I've played well in practice in the last few days, and that's why I'll be on the court."

Ferrero v Santoro is the second of the opening day's singles. The action starts with the world No 6 Carlos Moya playing the 77th-ranked but in-form Paul-Henri Mathieu. While Moya takes an unbeaten run of eight straight Davis Cup singles wins into the match, Mathieu returns to the competition for the first time since his heartbreaking five-sets defeat to Mikhail Youzhny in the fifth rubber of the 2002 final, in which he squandered a two-sets lead."

That's in the past," said Mathieu, "but win or lose it's good experience to take into this match."

As expected, Spain's captain Jordi Arrese has nominated the US Open semifinalists Rafael Nadal and Tommy Robredo to face Llodra and Santoro in the doubles.

Posted by Unknown at 2:07 AM

PHOTO

Posted by nana at 2:44 PM

ARTICLE French out to defy Spanish matadors


When France walk out on to the clay court at Alicante's bullring for the start of their Davis Cup semi-final against Spain on Friday they will know just how the bull feels. Spain have been untouchable on their favourite clay surface in the Davis Cup recently.

Spain won the competition with four home victories in 2000 and reaching the final with another faultless run last year.

In Carlos Moya and Juan Carlos Ferrero they have Europe's best two clay-court players, ranked at eighth and 12th in the world despite disappointing individual seasons, and Tommy Robredo and Rafael Nadal provide powerful back-up.

Spanish crowds have gained a reputation for behaviour bordering on the unsporting since their run to the title in 2000 and 10,000 fans are due each day to bait the French and roar their own players on to a place in the final against the United States or Belarus.

France are without Sebastien Grosjean and Nicolas Escude, leaving Arnaud Clement, Paul-Henri Mathieu, Fabrice Santoro and Michael Llodra -- players ranked well below Spain's top two -- to carry the country's hopes.

"It's good for us that Grosjean is not playing," said Moya after practice this week. "He is their most dangerous player.

"We've got a great chance of winning the Davis Cup again this year. We have a fantastic generation of players and sooner or later we'll win it."

Spain have won four of the five previous meetings between the two sides but they would nevertheless do well to be wary about taking on the French, who have a formidable away record in Davis Cup in recent years.

France, nine-times Davis Cup winners, have won their last six away ties in the competition, including their most recent final victory against Australia in Melbourne in 2001.

"France have a very competitive team and they always give a lot of fight in away games," Ferrero said. "But we're always favourites when we're at home."

Posted by nana at 10:47 AM

ARTICLE Sanchez Confident of Spain's Chances

Juan Carlos Ferrero might mark 2004 down as one of the more difficult years of his career, but former Spanish favourite Emilio Sanchez warned that he could still have a major part to play in the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas.

With Spain taking on France at the weekend, Ferrero's form and fitness mean that he is not a certainty to occupy one of the two singles berths. The Spaniard has struggled all year to shake off rib and wrist problems, and with Carlos Moya, Tommy Robredo and young Rafael Nadal all waiting in the wings, the pressure is on for him to prove himself.

According to Sanchez, he is worth waiting for.

“Even if Ferrero is struggling a little bit because of the injuries he has been getting, for the Davis Cup he is going to be ready,” said Sanchez.

“I would wait. If he is ready on clay he is still a big force.”

Whether or not the 24-year-old Spaniard does make the singles slot, Sanchez believes Spain are the firm favourites to win.

“I would be very, very surprised if Spain lost,” he said.

“France always have a good doubles team, they always have a good team-spirit and they achieve results away many times which no-one expects - like when they won the final away in Australia.

“But Spain is really a power today, and we have four players that could win matches against France. I would be surprised if France wins – I think Spain is a big favourite, and with Moya in such great shape we have a great chance.”

And, if Spain is a power today, Sanchez shudders to think what they might become.

In charge of his own tennis academy, the Spaniard gets to see the amount of promising juniors coming through with his own eyes.

“At the last futures tournament in Alicante, from 120 in the qualifying, 90 guys were from Spain,” said Sanchez. “So, from 90 guys at future level, unless we do something bad, something good is going to come from that.”

But why is there so many of them?

“Spain has always been a country that produces players because of the way we work,” says Sanchez. “We produce disciplined players - hard workers who are not spoiled, and there is a lot of competition. When the competition is there, if you lie down, the other guys pass over the top of you.”

It is a mantra that always served Sanchez well in his career.

These days he still plays on the Delta Tour of Champions, but when he looks back, it is the Davis Cup that provides his best memories.

“For me it was incredible – the best feeling I had,” he said.

“It was always great pride, a great atmosphere and if you were playing at home there was big pressure. Everybody was behind you. The difference with the normal tour was that there were people that liked you, and people that didn’t like you, but in Davis Cup, because of the national pride, even if they didn’t like you they were with you.”

Posted by nana at 10:22 AM

PHOTOS AND VIDEO A couple more photos and a short video of JC, Raf and Moya practicing in Alicante. The news report confirms that JC and Carlos will be playing the singles rubbers with Raf and Robredo playing doubles on Saturday.

>> video

pic: Moya and JC in bullring
pic: entering stadium
pic: forehand
pic: during practice
new --> pic: press conference

Posted by nana at 7:43 AM

PHOTO Some pictures of JC and co training. Sorry some pictures are quite small.



pic: black and white
pic: JC and Raf
pic: taking a break
pic: alone practicing his serve
pic: Raf and Arrese

Posted by nana at 3:06 PM

UPDATE JC was the first player to train on the newly installed court in the Alicante bullring where the DC tie will be held. No one was expected to train on the court until Sunday but JC took advantage of the fact that he lives so close to train in the evening a day before everyone else.

Moya and Nadal will be arriving tomorrow from Mallorca and Robredo from Bacelona. The French team arrived in the morning and practiced in the Montemar Athletic Club.

Posted by nana at 2:30 PM

ARTICLE A French win in Spain? C'est Possible, says Henri

As France prepare to undertake their ‘Mission Impossible’ against Spain in Alicante for a place in the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas final, they should perhaps first consult Henri Leconte.

Leconte was responsible for one of the most remarkable moments in Davis Cup history when, just three months after being in a wheelchair, he defeated Pete Sampras in straight sets to win the second rubber of the 1991 final. France went on to record a sensational victory and lift the Cup.

“Davis Cup is crazy, totally crazy!” confirms Leconte, who wondered if he would ever play again after his career-threatening back injury.

“It is completely different from any other tournament because you play for your country. It’s a different mentality. For us it is the only time that we can be all together and have a team. That’s why Davis Cup is so different and you have sometimes some big surprises with the top guys losing to players who are 200 in the world - because they can often play out of their mind. That’s what I love about it.”

Spain won the competition in 2000 playing exclusively in their home-country on their favourite clay court surface. This year they defeated the Czech Republic 3-2 away, and then the Netherlands 4-1 at home.

With Carlos Moya, Juan Carlos Ferrero, Rafael Nadal and Tommy Robredo all at their disposal, they will take some beating. Even Leconte agrees.

“I think the chances are 60% for Spain and 40% for France,” he said. “The problem we have at the moment is that we don’t have a real number one player. We have Arnaud Clement, but against Spain, on clay in September, it’s tough. The only point we are sure to win is the doubles. The rest will be very, very difficult, so if we don’t have Grosjean, then it is even worse. I think Fabrice Santoro would find it hard to play five sets twice. Against those guys in Spain, where it’s hot, it will be difficult.”

[...]

>> full article

Posted by nana at 4:12 AM

PHOTOS from JC's doubles match. JC/Garcia-Lopez were defeated 2-6, 3-6 by Healey/Coupe.

pic: eyeing a backhand
pic: with Guillermo
pic: power through
pic: discussing(?)

**new pictures from 2nd round singles match**
pic: grimace
pic: reach for backhand
pic: walking back
pic: scratch ear
pic: forehand
pic: handshake
pic: wave goodbye
pic: press conference

Posted by nana at 3:45 AM

PHOTOS From JC's 4-6, 4-6 second round defeat to Kevin Kim in the China Open.

pic: questioning himself
pic: ball toss
pic: forehand
pic: stretch
pic checking strings
pic: in dismay
pic: serve
pic: backhand
pic: disbelief
pic: walking off court
pic: post-match interview
pic: obviously upset =(


ARTICLE Ferrero Downed at China Open

BEIJING (Reuters) - Juan Carlos Ferrero became the second major casualty of the China Open on Thursday, the number two seed losing 6-4, 6-4 to American Kevin Kim in the second round.

Fellow Spaniard Carlos Moya, the top seed in Beijing, went out to French qualifier Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the first round on Wednesday.

Like Moya, Ferrero played as if his mind was already on this month's Davis Cup semi-final against France, making a string of unforced errors against his 143rd-ranked opponent.

"Some days you lose," shrugged the former world number one, who has dropped out of the top 10 for the first time since May 2002 after an injury-troubled year.

"I don't know about Moya but I wasn't thinking about the Davis Cup. I had a lot of chances in the second set but I didn't make them and I lost the match. It happens."

[...]

Spain take on France in their Davis Cup semi-final in Alicante from September 24 to 26.

Posted by nana at 4:34 PM

PHOTOS A couple more photos from JC's first round match.



pic: backhand
pic: wave
pic: forehand
pic: return
pic: post match interview
pic: smiling


QUOTES

Ferrero: "We stopped a lot of times due to rain. It was difficult and frustrating. Once it stopped completely I got into a good rhythm, which was very important against Gimelstob as I knew when I saw the draw that he was going to be difficult because of his serve on hard court.

"This year I’ve had chicken pox and almost broken a rib which basically kept me out for four months. However, now I’m playing very good and I’m very happy with my preparation."

Posted by nana at 10:20 AM

ARTICLE Ferrero Sweeps Into Second Round of China Open


BEIJING (Reuters) - Juan Carlos Ferrero thrashed American Justin Gimelstob 6-4, 6-1 in a rain-interrupted match to reach the second round of the China Open on Wednesday.

The Spanish second seed, who has struggled with injury all year, overcame three rain delays in the first set to advance to the last 16 of the $500,000 tournament in Beijing.

Ferrero, a former world number one and the 2003 French Open champion, has battled stomach, back and wrist injuries and was sidelined for part of the claycourt season by chickenpox.

But he showed few signs of those problems against Gimelstob, wrapping up the first set with a thumping forehand down the line.

Ferrero dominated the second set, breaking Gimelstob twice before closing out the match with an unreturnable serve after 74 minutes at Beijing Tennis Center.

FRUSTRATING YEAR

"There was a lot of frustration this year," said Ferrero, who was beaten in the second round of the U.S. Open earlier this month.

"All the problems. There was always one more, one more -- big problems, small problems. It was impossible to play normal tennis. Now I feel 85 to 90 percent physically. I feel comfortable and I feel strong."

The 24-year-old, who has not won a title this season and has dropped out of the top 10 for the first time since May 2002, will next face Kevin Kim after the American crushed Germany's Lars Burgsmueller 6-2, 6-2.


[...]

Posted by nana at 6:35 PM

PHOTOS JC defeated Gimbelstob 6-4, 6-1 in his first round match Wednesday.



pic: forehand
pic: follow through
pic: making a return
pic: backhand
pic: another forehand (lucky new necklace? =P)
pic: ball toss
pic: low return
pic: lining up the ball
pic: on the run
pic: eyeing ball
pic: shaking hands
pic: applaud crowd
pic: leaving the court
pic: in action
pic: down low
pic: return shot
pic: another backhand
pic: a low return
pic: putting on jacket
pic: return
pic: serve
pic: reach
pic: another forehand return
pic: celebrating win
pic 1
pic 2
pic 3
pic 4
pic 5

Posted by nana at 5:27 PM

PICTURES JC hasn't even played his first match yet and already a whole slew of photos!! More shots of him practicing with Safin and around the tournament grounds.

pic: stretching at the net
pic: still stretching
pic: Marat stretching too
pic: chatting
pic: forehand
pic: backhand
pic: looking at the crowd
pic: more practicing
pic: taking a rest
pic: waiting to return
pic: hitting ball into crowd
pic: cover of Chinese tennis magazine (June issue)

** new **
pic: from a magazine??
pic: with Marat having a laugh <3
pic: heavy security
pic: trying to escape the mad fans =P
pic: more security
pic: kicking the ball

Posted by nana at 7:33 AM

ORDER OF PLAY Tuesday was rained out. In the revised schedule for Wednesday JC plays his singles match first on Center court starting at 13:00.

Later he's playing doubles paired with Guillermo GARCIA-LOPEZ(ESP). They face Nathan HEALEY (AUS)/ Bradon COUPE(USA) in the 3rd match on court 6.

>> full schedule

Posted by nana at 3:50 AM

VIDEO A nice long video clip of JC in Beijing. The first 5 minutes is of JC on the practice courts working on his ground strokes. The last part is JC sitting next to Marat (I suppose after practice). JC is signing some tennis balls while talking to Safin and then later he throws the balls into the very enthusiastic crowd.

>> video

Posted by nana at 1:56 PM

ORDER OF PLAY JC faces Gimelstob tomorrow in the last match on Center court. The night session starts at 7:15PM.

>> full schedule

Posted by nana at 4:59 AM

PHOTOS Still more pictures of JC in getting ready for the China Open

pic: practice
pic: resting with Safin
pic: about to serve
pic: China Open poster

Posted by nana at 10:15 PM

PHOTOS More pictures of JC in Beijing.

pic: bodyguards
pic: on the practice courts
pic: online chat
pic: answering questions

>> order of play for Monday (JC not playing)

Posted by nana at 4:54 AM

VIDEO A nice 10-minute video of JC's press conference in the China Open. He talks a little about his Olympic experience and says he'll try to make the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. Other topics he addresses: being named the 'Clay Court King', his not-so-great performance this year, his leg injuries, Nadal and Safin.

>> video: cable | modem (in Chinese and English)

>> transcript (Chinese only)

Posted by nana at 5:56 PM

DRAW The draw for the China Open has been released. JC is seeded #2 and faces American Justin Gimelstob in the first round. Some notable players in his half: Safin, Nalbandian and Dent.

>> full draw


PHOTOS Pictures from the China Open



pic: with Safin
pic: at the airport
pic: checking in

**new**
pic: with gifts
pic: press conference??
pic: comparing racquets with Marat
pic: practicing serve
pic: backhand
pic: ball toss
pic: interview

>> chat with Juan Carlos (probably ended already)

Posted by nana at 2:04 PM

ARTICLE Ferrero Fired Up for China Open


BEIJING, Sept. 8 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Don't write off Juan Carlos Ferrero when the China Open begins next month -- the man they call "the Mosquito" has spent much of his career proving the critics wrong.

As a teenager, he enjoyed only moderate success on the junior circuit and most tennis observers felt he lacked the size and strength to make his way up the professional ranks. Ferrero has since racked up 11 ATP titles.

After three heartbreaking losses at the French Open -- twice in the semi-finals and once in the final -- people wondered if he had the mental strength to win a Grand Slam. He responded by lifting the trophy at Roland Garros last year.

Being Spanish and a baseliner, he was quickly labelled as a clay court specialist -- but several of his titles have come on hardcourts and he was runner-up at the 2003 US Open.

People who doubt Ferrero give little credit to his determination and fighting ability. "I want to be remembered as one of the best players in history and that is why I am working so hard," he says. "I believe in myself all the time. I want to show people that I'm not just a clay court player. I believe I can play well on grass, on hardcourts and also indoors. I think I'm showing that to everybody."

Ferrero was a sensation during his first year on the ATP Tour in 1999. He reached the semi-finals in Casablanca in his first career ATP event and six months later claimed his first title with a victory over compatriot Alex Corretja in Mallorca.

The experienced Corretja was convinced he had just lost to a budding superstar. "I am completely impressed with this guy," he said. "Juan Carlos is an unbelievably good player. The good thing is that he is an even better guy than player and that is really important. He didn't show any nerves or anything. He is going to be really good and he is heading for the top 10, for sure."

Corretja was right. Ferrero finished 1999 ranked number 43, a staggering 302-position improvement from the previous season, and was named "ATP Newcomer of the Year."

Ferrero might not have won a title in 2000 -- he was runner-up in Barcelona and Dubai -- but he achieved something even more memorable when he led Spain to its first ever Davis Cup title, beating Patrick Rafter and Lleyton Hewitt in his singles matches as the Australians were defeated 3-1.

"It is a dream come true," a joyous Ferrero said following his Cup-clinching win over Hewitt, while the watching King Juan Carlos of Spain told him it was one of the best victories he had ever seen.

Ferrero's exploits were making the world of tennis sit up and take notice. Even the outspoken John McEnroe -- a notoriously stern judge of emerging talent -- was impressed. "Ferrero has got a chance at going a long, long way," said the three-time Wimbledon champion. "This guy could be the best Spanish player ever. That's saying something."

Then the silverware really started rolling in. Ferrero captured four titles in 2001, two in 2002 and four last year, including the French Open. "Every year you gain more experience and you feel a bit better," he said.

"You're able to know what to do whenever you come up against a difficult situation. You know how to make a point. If you can, you know how to relax on the court, and how to be under less stress. I think you approach your game in a better way."

His successes in 2003 saw him lead the ATP Champions Race and he seemed destined to end the year with the number one ranking, only for Andy Roddick and Roger Federer to edge past him in the final weeks of the season.

His good friend Carlos Moya -- another contender for the China Open crown -- says Ferrero is one of his toughest opponents. "The thing is, I don't feel Juan Carlos has a weak point where I can attack him," says Moya. "He is really difficult to play against. You try to make as many winners as you can, but the ball keeps coming back. He runs so fast, he has a great forehand and his backhand is pretty strong as well."

It was Ferrero's stunning run to last year's US Open final that removed once and for all any doubts that he was a man for all surfaces. Forced to play on four successive days at rain-plagued Flushing Meadow, he saw off Todd Martin in the fourth round, Hewitt in the quarter-finals and Andre Agassi in the semis before coming up short against an inspired Roddick.

"At the beginning of the tournament, I didn't expect to be in the final," Ferrero reflected afterwards. "But, you know, I have been working towards this level, to be able to take on and beat big players like Martin, Hewitt and Agassi on the hardcourts.

"I am a little bit sad to have lost the final, but I think I did a great job over the two weeks. I learned that I can play pretty good tennis on a hardcourt and I can play against everybody."

Ferrero should be perfectly at home during the inaugural China Open. The star-studded tournament, to be held from September 10-26 at the new Beijing Tennis Centre, will be played on medium-pace hardcourts.

"I have had great results on clay but I have also done very well on hardcourts," he says. "I am at the stage in my career where I feel that I can play great tennis on both clay and hardcourts.

"I am very excited about coming to play at the China Open. I am sure it will become a very significant tournament and I would like very much to be the first person in history to win it. The atmosphere will be electrifying and I'm looking forward to playing my best tennis for the people of China."

[...]

Posted by nana at 4:58 AM

AWARD JC is to be awarded by the Valencian City Council for his achievements in sports for 2003.

>> more details (in Spanish)

PHOTOS More pictures of JC posing with students in his academy. All of them are a bit dark =(



pictures - 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Posted by nana at 4:00 PM

INTERVIEW
>> video [56K | 250K]

S. KOUBEK/J.C. Ferrero
7-6, 4-6, 6-7, 6-2, 6-3


THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. What do you think made the difference in the match today? You played from ahead, you had chances. What do you think made the difference?

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: I think the difference start when I start to feel the pain in my leg, you know. After this, you know, I couldn't move so well, you know, on the left side, when he crossed me from his forehand to my backhand. I think it decides a lot the match. After the first set, I start to play a little bit better because I was not play very good, you know. But, you know, I was fighting a lot, you know. I win the second and the third. After the third, you know, I start to feel the problem. Anyway, I start very good with the break. But, anyways, I couldn't serve very well because all the times when I was moving my leg to serve, you know, back to straight, I feel the pain.

Q. What exactly was the problem?

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: In my abductor.

Q. On the left side?

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Right side.

Q. Right leg?

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Yes.

Q. Is it a pulled muscle?

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Yeah, muscle.

Q. Do you think it had something to do with the fact you had to play four and a half hours in the first-round match?

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: I don't think so because I had two days to recover very good, you know. When I start the match, I felt good as, you know, a normal match. I didn't feel any pain in my whole body. I think it doesn't affect to me.

Q. You were in the same side of the draw this year as Andy Roddick. You could have met him as early as the quarterfinals here. How disappointed are you that you won't be able to get revenge for that loss in the final last year?

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: No, no, no. I'm disappointed because I lost today, and also I have a problem right now in my legs. But not to not meet against him.

Q. Do you think you will be ready for the Davis Cup match against France?

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: I hope so.

Q. Can you talk a little bit about this year? Last year was such a wonderful breakthrough year for you, winning the French Open, of course, making the final at the US Open, reaching No. 1 in the rankings. This year there have been a lot of obstacles for you. How frustrating and disappointing has this year been, and how hard will it be to put it behind you and move forward?

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: It's frustrating, you can't imagine. Of course, I'm not so happy this year because I couldn't play almost any tournament with a hundred percent fit, you know. So, of course, I'm frustrated. But anyways, this year is going to finish soon, you know, and I will -- I want to forget this year, you know. I have some tournaments also until the end of the year. But, anyways, this year is doing not so good for me.

Q. Rafael Nadal is playing tonight with Andy Roddick. He won his first ATP tournament in Poland. How do you see his chances to upset Roddick?

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Rafael, I think he can win everyone really because he has a lot of potential, you know. I think he's playing very well after winning the first tournament for him. He's with a lot of confidence. And, you know, he going to go to the court with a lot of motivation. He's going to play against the champion of the US Open last year, you know. It's going to be the first time for him that he's going to play against Roddick. It's going to be a tough match. But, anyways, Roddick is playing in his house, and also is going to be motivate, so is going to be an interesting match.

Q. Do you think he can withstand the pressure?

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Rafael?

Q. Yes.

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: He can feel it, but I expect him to, you know -- that he can play really good. If he plays like he knows, he can beat Andy Roddick.

Q. Can you compare both players, quickness? He's left-handed. How is he going to play?

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: How is he going to play?

Q. Yes.

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: I can't tell you secret. I don't know. Rafael, he plays very aggressive from the baseline, so I think he's going to take his chance, you know, try to return Andy serve and try to do his chance.

Q. Do you have any complaints about the code violation, losing a point today, in today's match?

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: I don't know. I think the chair umpires, you know, in global, they try not the same way as all the players. Maybe it's easy to say code violation, and maybe to other big players it's not the same here in the United States. So I'm not so happy with the chair umpire.

Posted by nana at 11:10 AM

ARTICLE Ferrero falls in epic


Juan Carlos Ferrero's miserable season continued when he was beaten in the US Open second round by Stefan Koubek.

Koubek upset the 2003 runner-up 7-6 (7-2) 4-6 6-7 (6-8) 6-2 6-3.

Ferrero, who has struggled with his fitness for most of the season, had treatment for a leg injury straight after winning the third set.

Koubek seized his chance to level the match and though Ferrero had a 2-0 lead in the decider, Koubek won five games in a row before clinching the win.

"I was fighting a lot and I won the second and third set but then I started to feel a pain in my leg," said Ferrero.

"I couldn't serve and move very well because of my leg."

The 24-year-old admitted he was looking forward to the end of a torrid season, in which he has also suffered early defeats at the French Open and Wimbledon.

"I am not happy with my year. The year is almost finished and I just want to forget it," he said.

"I have some more tournaments to play but this has not been a good year for me."

Ferrero's frustration was evident during the match when he was warned by the umpire for smashing a ball out of the stadium.

He was later penalized a point for abusing an official, prompting the Spaniard to refuse to shake hands with the umpire at the end of the match.

Posted by nana at 7:10 AM

PHOTOS Ferrero Falls in Five-Set Marathon
Stefan Koubek of Austria upset 2003 finalist Juan Carlos Ferrero, 7-6, 4-6, 6-7, 6-2, 6-3, in just over four hours Friday, advancing to the third round of the US Open for the first time in his career. Ferrero, the No. 7 seed, makes his earliest exit here since 1999, when he lost in the first round.



pic: watching the return
pic: ball toss
pic: backhand
pic: another backhand
pic: serve
pic: view from above
pic: dejected
pic: ace??
pic: another serve
pic: return
pic: slamming racquet (imitating Safin??) =P
pic: wipe sweat
pic: half in the shadow
pic: running down a ball
pic: contemplating the loss
pic: unhappy
pic: still sitting
pic: looking down

Posted by nana at 6:51 AM

ORDER OF PLAY the schedule for tomorrow match
Grandstand 11.00 AM Start

1. Women's Singles - 3rd Rnd.
Jelena Kostanic (CRO)vs. Ai Sugiyama (JPN)[12]

followed by
2. Men's Singles - 2nd Rnd.
Juan Carlos Ferrero (ESP)[7]vs. Stefan Koubek (AUT)

3. Men's Singles - 2nd Rnd.
Jan-Michael Gambill (USA) vs. Joachim Johansson (SWE)[28]

4. Women's Singles - 3rd Rnd.
Elena Dementieva (RUS)[6] vs. Nathalie Dechy (FRA)[28]

Posted by Unknown at 10:13 AM

VIDEO - POST MATCH INTERVIEW A nice clip of JC's post-match interview. He talks mostly about the last two sets and that physically he's 100% (not feeling any pain) but that he's "like a new car" and needs some "treatment" before he can get back to the top of his game. Overall a very positive interview.

>> video clip

Seems like JC's English is improving. He used similes and reduced the number of 'you know' s a little!! LoL ^^

Posted by nana at 10:09 AM

MATCH REPORT Ferrero Slowed, Barely Zaps Past Zib
by Ranon Masliyah
Tuesday, August 31, 2004

The match was played in Louis Armstrong Stadium, but there was nothing Louis Armstrong about it -- that is, until the fourth set. Unforced errors, disputed calls and a match that lasted almost five hours nearly overshadowed what could have been the biggest upset through two days of the US Open, as No. 7 Juan Carlos Ferrero, a 2003 Open finalist, needed five dramatic sets to outlast qualifier Tomas Zib, 4-6, 7-5, 7-6 (8-6), 6-7 (7-4), 6-3, in first round play Tuesday.

It was just Zib's second overall appearance at Flushing Meadows, and his first since losing in the first round in 1999.

Ferrero was playing in his sixth straight Open, though it didn't appear to be the case, as he hit a number of easy shots into the net throughout much of the match. Zib was not without his err, though, as he questioned the umpire about a call by placing a ball on the baseline in a quasi-lighthearted attempt at humor, much to the delight of the crowd.

The Spaniard was pushing to speedily zip past Zib, but the 28-year-old would not exit easily, as became apparent in the fourth set. Leading by a 2-1 match score and 4-1 in the fourth set, Zib capitalized on Ferrero's inability to extinguish his unforced errors, losing four of the next five games, much to the surprise of not only himself, but the cheery Armstrong crowd. Using a deft net game, Zib never hesitated to show off his dazzling array of volleys, eventually tying the set at 6-6. When Zib smashed an overhead winner on the 11th point of the tiebreak game to force a decisive fifth set, Zib seemed to be the only person in the stadium not shocked at this improbable performance.

In fact, Zib won 70% (31 of 44) of his net approaches, while Ferrero could only convert on 58% (19 of 33). Ferrero also committed 67 unforced errors.

It was Ferrero's strength in the fifth set that proved superior though. Leading 4-3 after Zib held serve in the seventh game, Ferrero, 24, rallied from love-30 to win the next game with a 110-plus mph serve that blazed past the now-increasingly realistic Zib. Down 5-3 and on serve, Zib looked like he might have one final crescendo creation, taking the game to deuce after opening at love-30. At match point, however, Ferrero zapped Zib for good, nailing a pretty backhand passing shot as he approached the net, winning the final set 6-3.

Ferrero will now face Stefan Koubek of Austria who beat American Alex Bogomolov, Jr. in first-round action Tuesday.

Posted by nana at 1:39 PM

PHOTOS 2003 finalist Juan Carlos Ferrero won a five-set thriller Tuesday, defeating Czech qualifier Tomas Zib, 4-6, 7-5, 7-6, 6-7, 6-3 in his first-round match.




pic: backhand
pic: close up
pic: follow through
pic: eyeing the ball
pic: forehand
pic: another forehand
pic: in action
pic: another backhand
pic: return
pic: ball toss
pic: serve
pic: another serve (a bit dark)
pic: service motion
pic: off center
pic: waiting for serve
pic: on knees
pic: victory!!
pic throwing shirt into crowd

Posted by nana at 8:04 AM