ARTICLE Ferrero receives Sydney wildcard

Former world number one and 2003 French Open winner Juan Carlos Ferrero has been given a wildcard to next month's Sydney International tournament.

The 25-year-old Spaniard has struggled with illness and injury since climbing to number one in the world in 2003.

Ferrero, who also reached the 2003 US Open final, slipped to 92nd in the world early this year but is now 18th.

"It was an easy decision to give Juan Carlos the first men's wildcard," said tournament director Craig Watson.

Source: BBC Sport

Posted by nana at 5:51 AM

AWARD Juan Carlos and the rest of the 2004 Davis Cup team were awarded the National Prize for Sports yesterday by the royal family.

Pictures and video from the event uploaded to The Gallery.

>> article (in Spanish)

Posted by nana at 4:39 PM

ARTICLE Ferrero in doubt for Heineken Open

Former world No 1 Juan Carlos Ferrero is in doubt for the Heineken Open tennis tournament in Auckland.

When the tournament organisers received the field yesterday from the ATP (international men's tournament authority), Ferrero's name was missing.

Tournament director Graham Pearce said both Ferrero and the ATP had confirmed his entry earlier, but he was baffled when the list, without his name, arrived yesterday.

The tournament organisers are not allowed to fit Ferrero or any player into the tournament, whether in the main draw or through wild card, without ATP approval and there is a concern that if the list is not amended Ferrero will miss out.

If Ferrero is included, one player in the current list, will have to be dropped. Wild cards have already been allocated.

But Pearce said the field was so strong that Ferrero's absence wouldn't be noticed.

He said he'd know in the next 48 hours what ATP intended to do.

Meanwhile the draw released yesterday for the January 9-14 tournament shows that all eight seeded players are inside the world top 35.

Posted by nana at 2:47 AM