Need proof that ‘tennis maturity’ arrives around age 25?
Posted by tennisplanet on October 7, 2007
The guy turned 25 this April. He is already riding a wave of career highs, in many categories.
For the first time in his career he has reached the single digits in ranking: No. 8. Has won three of his seven career titles, this year. For the first time, he reached the semifinal of a Grand Slam: US Open this year. Considering he is a clay court player, that has to get the attention of players, planning to go deep at next year’s clay season.
It’s not that he is bursting on to the scene. He has paid his dues by being on the tour for over seven years. Standing at merely 5’9″, it is an amazing achievement when the new cut off, to just survive today, is at least 6′.
He is the new, younger and shorter version of Canas. With so much stacked against him in today’s game, it will be interesting to see how far he can stretch it.
It is always a pleasure to see hard work, persistence and laser focus pay off. Even more worthy, when done against all odds, and on the surface not friendly to you.
Jenny said
Good post TP and thanks for acknowledging Ferru. David is my third favourite and I have supported him for nearly two years. As I see it, he has worked so hard to improve his game on other surfaces and always gives 200% and loses with grace. Added to this remarkable improvement, he now believes he can win and actually enjoy it, Thank God. IMO, he oozes with genuine respect and humility, and never uses gamesmanship as so many do. When told Roger had said he was the best returner on the Tour, his answer: ‘Roger said that? thank you Roger – no, he is the best’. Even today, he said maybe Richard was a little tired. When he beat Nadal at the US Open fair and square, he said ‘maybe I was lucky’ [presumably referring to Nadal's physical condition]. Yes, he is ferocious on the court, with a few racquet slams. [known as Jekyll and Hyde because of his quiet gentle demeanour off court]. Look at the vid on Utube where he was playing Robredo in Auckland, immediately stopping play to save Tommy diving head first over the net trying to retrieve one of his balls. [actually it was funny, but could have been serious!] You may not like his game style, but he’s full of guts and deserves to be a Shanghai Warrior.
Gracie said
How true! A couple of good wins for Ferrer. Maybe he should send all those other guys thank you notes for dropping out of Tokyo, but kudos to him for a great effort to get past Karlovic! I love to watch him play.
Jenny said
OMG Gracie, don’t encourage him to send out thank you notes! and doesn’t that trophy on the head make him as tall as Karlovic!!!?
pommesdesuisse said
absolutely, Jenny…
I now also hope that he’s gonna make it…to the masters cup. a very nice an humble guy – like btw most of the spaniards are!!! Included Rafa Nadal… And even though that I’m a big federer-fan, I hope Nadal stays healthy. but enough talk about them… Ferrer really has shown now that the us open weren’t just a ‘lucky run’… beating gasquet in that way?! wow!!! he’s gonna be tough to beat from now…
nate said
i’ve never seen such a stark change in body language in so short a time. watch tape of ferrer’s walk before the nadal match versus his walk this week. the vibe used to be “i’m pesky–i’ll keep coming forever.” now it’s more like simply “watch out”. his confidence is so high right now. it’s great to see…tennis = psychology
Yoko said
Thank you TP!! I like him very much and thank him for coming AIG Japan! Great victory for him.
Eva said
Ferrer has the right attitude and respect for the game. He is like a wolverine on the court, who are quite fierce. Players who haave decendy about them are thatmuch more appreciated.
Only thing funny for me, is that some people refer to him as Ferru: for me there is a word association somehow that sprang into my head–Lupu is Romanian for wolf, and Ferru, sounds like Nosferatu (Dracula) to me.
Always a great thing for the player, the sport and tennis fans when there are players who can be really respected. Most of them are.
Anand_101 said
Interesting… wonder what it is that makes someone peak whenever they peak? Something to do with realizing that youth is waning and time is running out to make dreams come true?
How fleeting this life and all its accomplishments. Do it all right now, just when you would like to relax and enjoy it a bit…