INTERVIEW
PS: This interview has been posted before but this one is the properly translated version. Thanks Ana for the translation ^_^
The Valencian defends his title obtained in Madrid last year
Ferrero: "I include myself among the favorites even though I'm not number 1"
At this same time, but in 2003, Juan Carlos Ferrero was at the Masters Series of Madrid showing off his number one status in the ATP entry ranking. He reaffirmed his position as the top seed by winning his first title on indoor hard court. Today, the Valencian tennis player comes to the event after a year marked by misfortunes in the form of illnesses, which have not yet allowed him to show his best tennis this year. 'Juanquí,' nevertheless, is not resigning to anything in the event that begins this Monday.
How does Ferrero arrive to defend his crown in Madrid?
At this point I feel very well, as much physically as tennis wise. I remember that last year I came with some problems in my heel and later things worked out.
Has there been a before and after since the Davis Cup semifinals against France?
I would say yes. In Alicante, against the Frenchman Santoro, I felt good sensations again on court, something that has not happened to me since the Australian Open.
Who are the players with the most options for victory in Madrid?
The candidates are some of the same as always. I put myself among the favorites too because I feel like I have a chance to win the title again. Besides, I don't think it matters, when it comes to winning the title, that I was number 1 seed last year and now 10. Sooner or later, you have to beat all the players who are in your draw.
Does it benefit you to come to the tournament as a lower seed, without the pressure of being number one?
I always try to separate myself from the pressure that comes from the outside and focus on my game.
Last year you ended the myth that it would be difficult for a Spanish tennis player to win in Madrid due to the altitude, 640 meters, of the capital of Spain. What do you do to adapt yourself to the altitude?
There isn't really anything special. I think that you should go to the tournament three or four days before to adapt yourself to the new conditions. Everything goes a little quicker and movement is important. Although, in my case, I don’t need it because I live and train in Villena, which has the same altitude as Madrid.
One is left without words when one sees Federer's numbers in 2004, with 10 titles, among them three Grand Slams?
The Swiss is surprising everyone on tour with how consistent he is. It is incredible how he wins tournaments. It's been long time since there has been such a solid number one.
You, with only 24 years of age, have the chance in Seville against the United States to win a second Davis Cup. The rest of members of the Spanish team aspire for their first. Other great players like Patrick Rafter retired without ever touching the Davis Cup.
It's true that in Barcelona at the Palau Sant Jordi I was only 20 years old and I wasn't able to value what was accomplished as it deserved to be. Later, with time, I was able to realize that we had achieved something very important, that it is not on everyone's record. Those are things that you learn to appreciate throughout the course of your career.
Would a victory in Davis Cup change the overall result of the season?
It is clear that winning the Davis Cup would turn a bad year into a very good one.
The handicap of playing Davis Cup is that your calendar gets extended until the month of December.
I have thought about it already and I will rest a few days after the Paris Masters Series, before completely dedicating myself to preparing for the final against the United States on clay.
PS: This interview has been posted before but this one is the properly translated version. Thanks Ana for the translation ^_^
The Valencian defends his title obtained in Madrid last year
Ferrero: "I include myself among the favorites even though I'm not number 1"
At this same time, but in 2003, Juan Carlos Ferrero was at the Masters Series of Madrid showing off his number one status in the ATP entry ranking. He reaffirmed his position as the top seed by winning his first title on indoor hard court. Today, the Valencian tennis player comes to the event after a year marked by misfortunes in the form of illnesses, which have not yet allowed him to show his best tennis this year. 'Juanquí,' nevertheless, is not resigning to anything in the event that begins this Monday.
How does Ferrero arrive to defend his crown in Madrid?
At this point I feel very well, as much physically as tennis wise. I remember that last year I came with some problems in my heel and later things worked out.
Has there been a before and after since the Davis Cup semifinals against France?
I would say yes. In Alicante, against the Frenchman Santoro, I felt good sensations again on court, something that has not happened to me since the Australian Open.
Who are the players with the most options for victory in Madrid?
The candidates are some of the same as always. I put myself among the favorites too because I feel like I have a chance to win the title again. Besides, I don't think it matters, when it comes to winning the title, that I was number 1 seed last year and now 10. Sooner or later, you have to beat all the players who are in your draw.
Does it benefit you to come to the tournament as a lower seed, without the pressure of being number one?
I always try to separate myself from the pressure that comes from the outside and focus on my game.
Last year you ended the myth that it would be difficult for a Spanish tennis player to win in Madrid due to the altitude, 640 meters, of the capital of Spain. What do you do to adapt yourself to the altitude?
There isn't really anything special. I think that you should go to the tournament three or four days before to adapt yourself to the new conditions. Everything goes a little quicker and movement is important. Although, in my case, I don’t need it because I live and train in Villena, which has the same altitude as Madrid.
One is left without words when one sees Federer's numbers in 2004, with 10 titles, among them three Grand Slams?
The Swiss is surprising everyone on tour with how consistent he is. It is incredible how he wins tournaments. It's been long time since there has been such a solid number one.
You, with only 24 years of age, have the chance in Seville against the United States to win a second Davis Cup. The rest of members of the Spanish team aspire for their first. Other great players like Patrick Rafter retired without ever touching the Davis Cup.
It's true that in Barcelona at the Palau Sant Jordi I was only 20 years old and I wasn't able to value what was accomplished as it deserved to be. Later, with time, I was able to realize that we had achieved something very important, that it is not on everyone's record. Those are things that you learn to appreciate throughout the course of your career.
Would a victory in Davis Cup change the overall result of the season?
It is clear that winning the Davis Cup would turn a bad year into a very good one.
The handicap of playing Davis Cup is that your calendar gets extended until the month of December.
I have thought about it already and I will rest a few days after the Paris Masters Series, before completely dedicating myself to preparing for the final against the United States on clay.
