from AP Sports
21 February 2003

ROTTERDAM, Netherlands – Top seeded Juan-Carlos Ferrero of Spain dropped out of the ABN Amro tournament Friday after injuring his ankle during a quarterfinals match against Raemon Sluiter of the Netherlands.

Leading 2-1 in the first set, Ferrero rolled his ankle during a long rally, and fell to the ground, clutching his right leg in pain. After receiving medical treatment, he eventually hobbled off the court.

Tournament doctors said he tore the outer ligament of his right ankle, and that he may also have suffered some damage to a bone in the same leg, near the calf. Tournament spokesman Richard Bezmalinovic said Ferrero will board the next possible flight to Madrid for further treatment.

Ferrero forfeited the match, and Sluiter will now face Sebastien Grosjean in the semifinals Saturday.