from foxsports.com
20 June 2004

Juan Carlos Ferrero says he’s relaxed, moving freely and over the rib and leg injuries that hampered him this season.

“I’m hitting the ball very good and starting to feel confident physically,” he said Saturday. “I expect I can play good tennis here.”

Ferrero lost a chance to return to the No. 1 ranking when he lost to Roger Federer in the Australian Open semifinals in January.

The Spaniard dropped to No. 5 after a rib injury contributed to a second-round loss last month at the French Open, where he was the defending champion.

Actually, that early exit could be a benefit ahead of Wimbledon, where play starts Monday.

“It’s good. I was practicing for weeks on synthetic grass, and I’m playing well and improving all I can on this surface,” Ferrero said. “I’m still one of the best players in the world, if I can play my best. … I will fight to be at the top again.”