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Masters Series Madrid: Mirnyi d. Ferrero 7-5 7-6(2)

kat — Wed, 19 Oct 2005 06:30:55 +0000

TMS – MADRID
October 18, 2005
MADRID, SPAIN

THE MODERATOR: Questions in Spanish.

Q. Was the Masters a goal here at the end of the season?
JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Of course, it was. Defeat always hurts, especially when you play in Spain. However, it was a tough match because these matches are always difficult. Especially Mirnyi, he has this special way of playing that gives you no rhythm, no pace. You need to be careful all the time, be quick to return, see the balls quickly. The court is okay, but altitude made it very quick. I’ve only had one training session because I just arrived. However, I think I returned well, I served well, but I wasn’t able to take advantage of the second set, which seemed to be mine at the beginning. Tiebreaks tend to give the victory to good servers.

Q. After being a finalist in Vienna, you were in high spirits, I guess. You were feeling comfortable. Did you have high hopes for this tournament?
JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: I’ve been playing well, yes. Vienna was one of the places I played well. But then you get to tough matches and things happen. However, my tennis is at a good point. I’m now No. 11. I’ll try to get as high in the ranking as possible and start next year full to make it easier for me, easier than this year. This year has been difficult for me. For instance, this tournament, I was out as a seed for one position. I hope to be ahead next year, to arrive earlier, to find things easier.

Q. Especially because you are used to starting as a seed in a tournament. Starting in the first round of a tournament, does it make it more difficult?
JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Yeah, of course. It’s easier to face seeds once you’re in the second or third round, more than if you face them from the beginning. However, to be No. 11 instead of 16 is progress.

Q. I know it’s far away, but can you make any predictions for the Davis Cup based on this match with Mirnyi?
JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: I know it’s going to be difficult to play against him. However, here, altitude makes things difficult. If the court is a bit faster, it will be more difficult maybe. However, last time I won. This time it wasn’t possible. If I adapt beforehand, things can come out better. I found it difficult to adapt in this tournament. If I adapt for a week for the Davis Cup, we can make it.

Q. You’re playing well, but I’m not sure if you lack confidence. In the set points in the first set, you lost it because of a double-fault, then a volley. Is it lack of confidence?
JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Well, last week I achieved all those things you’re talking about. Four or five balls in a match cannot define things as you do. I think last week was a good one for me. Today was a good match, too, but not every match allows you to adapt. Maybe I’m not sure on those difficult points. That may be. I’m not really sure if the ball is going to go in. Here if you hit the ball without confidence, it’s true that it goes out. Maybe those balls I can gain confidence. You need to keep trying.

Q. I don’t know if you’ve realized since the final against Massu, you haven’t won any tournament. Do you feel pressure because you’re at home? Is it because of altitude? Is it the curse of Madrid?
JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: No, it’s tough for me not to win tournaments, not to have them to my name. But there are many players in my situation. I’ve played finals, anyway. I think those are good results, if we take into account I start without being a seed. Altitude is difficult if you’re not used to it. However, I think I played a good match. I know I haven’t won a tournament in the last two years. But what can I do?

Q. To use a bit of humor, how do you see tomorrow’s match of Real Madrid? Are you going to be there? What do you think is going to happen?
JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Well, they told me if there was any penalty, they would allow me to shoot it. I don’t know if I’m going to stay actually. We’ll see.

Q. I want to know your opinion, because you were not present at the meeting with the president, the appointment of Emilio Sanchez. What is your opinion about this issue?
JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Well, I feel as the rest of the team. I think Pedro is not doing things well, not at all. We have nothing against Emilio. Actually, we feel sympathy towards him. He’s already a member of the team right now. We know him. He’s been a player of Davis Cup, so he has experience. We were disappointed. This was said in the meeting. I wasn’t able to be there, but they already expressed our opinion. I would have liked to have expressed mine also, but I couldn’t. So that’s what’s happened. Emilio has been chosen new captain, but Pedro has not asked us. The only thing we hope is that he changes his opinion because he’s going too far. If he thinks he’s doing things well, I think he’s mistaken. That’s no, that’s for sure.

Q. (In English) What do you think about the “Nadal-Mania” here in Spain?
JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: I think it’s normal. This moment he’s playing good. He played the whole year, I mean, he won 10 tournaments. It’s normal that Spain is thinking in only Nadal. But anyways, you know, we are here. We are the same tennis players as before. We are not that far away.

Ferrero “deceived”, enjoying afternoon tea

kat — Mon, 19 Sep 2005 07:46:45 +0000

original article from sohu.com – translated by kat
18 September 2005

Yesterday afternnon Ferrero was at the hotel restaurant enjoying “coffee time”. (ed: I’m guessing this would be like afternoon tea time or similar) Maybe it was because he reached the semi finals he was in a good mood and allowed the journalist to approach and chat with him. On the one hand Ferrero was drinking his coffee, and on the other he was reading a thick novel. When the journalist was curious to know what that book is, Ferrero politely turned it over for the journalist to see. It was another bestselling novel by the “Da Vinci Code” author Dan Brown – “Deception Point”. When Ferrero realised the journalist also knows Dan Brown, he seemed very happy. But maybe he was too intrigued by the storyline he quickly went back to reading the novel.

*Original article (in Chinese) can be found here*

Bought many DVDs during this trip, Ferrero eager to return next year

kat — Sun, 18 Sep 2005 07:44:30 +0000

original article from sohu.com – translated by kat
17 September 2005

Even though he has more supporters than Nadal, Ferrero lost the Spanish derby (semi final). At the after match interview Ferrero said although he has not confirmed his itinerary for next year, but Beijing has left him with a good impression so if it is possible, he will return next year.

Speaking of the semi final match against Nadal, Ferrero felt that Nadal was faster than him during the match. Although the match started off well, Nadal placed him under a lot of pressure later on. He did not take some chances and during both sets he was broken after it reached 4-4. Ferrero lost all four of his matches against Nadal this year, and he said that he haven’t played at his best level during all these matches. For example towards the end of today’s match he could not play according to his game plan. But he will continue to work on these deficiencies during practice.

Ferrero also said he will leave Beijing at about 11am on Sunday. He had good memories this week in Beijing and in his spare time, he bought many DVDs. Tomorrow is the traditional Chinese Mid-Autumn festival.When he heard the stories about mooncakes Ferrero nodded his head. Maybe he was thinking of buying some for his family and friends.

*Original article (in Chinese) can be found here*

Nadal likes to use public shower rooms, Ferrero only uses his own toiletries

kat — Sat, 17 Sep 2005 13:48:37 +0000

original article from sohu.com – translated by kat
17 September 2005

Even though the organisers have arranged for Nadal to have his own private shower room, Nadal had never used it. According to some tournament volunteers, maybe it was because he felt too bored using his private room. Every time after practice or a match, he would go to the public shower room (shared with other players). Plus he also liked to talk to other players, although his English is not very good.

However another Spaniard, Ferrero’s habits are very different. Ferrero has high standards for the little things. Other players wouldn’t mind using the toiletries supplied by the hotel but Ferrero had never touched them. He only uses his own shampoo and shower gel brought from Spain. Plus he had rules about not giving autographs to staff after intervews which disappointed many people.

*Original article (in Chinese) can be found here*

Ferrero embarrassed – faced with questions about girls, confident about beating Nadal

kat — Sat, 17 Sep 2005 07:50:30 +0000

original article from sina.com – translated by kat
16 September 2005

On the night of 16th September (Beijing time), JC won the quarter final match against Nalbandian 6-2 3-6 6-3 and is through to the semi final. He will possibly play against fellow Spaniard Rafael Nadal in the semi final.

At the after match press conference, Ferrero made these comments about the match. “I lost my two previous matches against Nalbandian. He is a very good player but I think it is normal for us to have a close match. We played at a similar level today so it was a great match. I am very happy to win and now have to prepare for the next match.”
In today’s match the fans were also very passionate. It seems Ferrero had more female fans. About the female fans, he said, “this… I don’t know. I don’t know why. But I do have many fans in China. I have very happy that they are here to support me. Maybe it’s because I play here every year so they tend to recognize me!”

After Ferrero reached the semis, his next opponent will either be Nadal or Wessels. Based on potential, Nadal has a better chance of reaching the semis. Ferrero has played against Nadal three times this year and lost all three matches on clay. When asked about the possibility of meeting his ‘nemesis’ Ferrero said, “Yes I lost my last three matches on clay against Nadal. He is a very good player and is always very confident when he is on court. But I am full of confidence in our possible fourth meeting. If I will be playing against him tomorrow, on hard courts it will be difficult for both of us but we both have a chance of winning. I will try my best and will probably have to play better than my previous matches.”

As the 2005 season draws to a close Ferrero was asked to compare this season with the last. He said, “I cannot compare with last year. This is because I did not play for 7 months. At that time I was injured. At the start of 2005 I had to begin with a ranking of 98! It’s just like starting out to be a professional player all over again. But I have performed quite well this season and I am happy about it. Now my ranking is getting closer to the top 10.”

*Original article (in Chinese) can be found here*