• ATP Tour

Ferrero calls time on career

ESPN staff
September 12, 2012
Juan Carlos Ferrero is to retire © Getty Images
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Former French Open champion and world No. 1 Juan Carlos Ferrero has announced he will retire from tennis at the end of October.

Ferrero, 32, has revealed the Valencia Open will be his final tournament as a professional, bringing to a conclusion a career that peaked with victory at Roland Garros in 2003.

The Spaniard turned pro in 1998 and went on to claim 16 career titles, including Masters crowns in Madrid, Monte Carlo and Rome.

Ferrero pinpointed injuries as one of the key reasons behind his retirement.

"The Valencia Open 500 will be my final tournament, in the best possible scenario," Ferrero said. "This season injuries have prevented me from playing with regularity and it was a tough year as I realised on the court that I did not have the same ambition after 14 years at the top level.

"I am starting a new phase in my life with tremendous excitement, I will continue to be involved with tennis through the Valencia Open, the academy, the foundation that carries my name and other projects."

He was also involved in Spain's Davis Cup win in 2000, the first for the nation.

"Among the memories I would pick out the Davis Cup win in 2000, because I understood afterwards how much it meant to the country," he said. "But certainly for a player, winning a grand slam or getting to No. 1 in the world is the most important.

"What I will miss most is the competition, it will difficult to fill the void."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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