Is Juan Carlos Ferrero going to play on tour next year?

[JoshDragon]

I heard that he was thinking about retiring next year. I guess Marat's retirement got him thinking about it. Does anybody know what his plans are?

[thalivest]

I can understand retirement. He has never been the same player since his injuries and illness in early 2004. At this point he has no hope of ever winning another big title or probably even ever returning to the top 10. Plus he is getting close to 30.

[Dgpsx7]

This year was his best year since his injuries. Regardless, I could still understand if he wanted to move on though.

[malakas]

no,no,no!!It was a wide-spread rumour,but it's false!He's not retiring he will play next year!He had an amazing year,he even made it to the ATP list of 7 players.(if that counts for somthing) .

[LeftyServe]

He's playing an expo in Bilbao this weekend, and will start the regular tour next year in Auckland.

[djokovicgonzalez2010]

He did in fact say (according to the reliable Wikipedia) that he might well if he didnt break back into the top 20. He did, but has since been passed by Mikhal Youzhny, Lleyton Hewitt (who he played that legendary WTC match against, losing 4-6 4-6 6-2 6-2 4-6) and Stan Wawrinka for his current #23

[Gugafan]

Juan Carlos is more of a threat on grass these days than Roland Garros, who would have thought it??

It puzzles me how he has not had anywhere near the same success on clay (post 2003), when he is not really suffered any career threatening injuries. Currently the depth on clay is not great outside Fed and Nadal.. Ferrero himself believes his game has not declined that much when compared to his prime.

It must be tough going from one of the best claycourters in spain, and now down the pecking order to the likes of Ferrer and Verdasco.

[thalivest]

Originally Posted by Gugafan

Juan Carlos is more of a threat on grass these days than Roland Garros, who would have thought it??

It puzzles me how he has not had anywhere near the same success on clay (post 2003), when he is not really suffered any career threatening injuries. Currently the depth on clay is not great outside Fed and Nadal.. Ferrero himself believes his game has not declined that much when compared to his prime.

It must be tough going from one of the best claycourters in spain, and now down the pecking order to the likes of Ferrer and Verdasco.

He was the best clay courter in the World in 2002 and 2003, even though he lost the FO final to Costa which was a big surprise. In 2001 he and Kuerten were clearly the top 2 although Kuerten clearly stamped himself the #1 with his surprisingly easy semifinal trouncing of Ferrero at the French that year which was billed as the defacto final. That the injuries and illness he had wrecked him in 2004 is understandable, but how he hasnt been able to climb anywhere near up there again on clay is surprising. The mental side of the sport is so important though. He had alot of confidence and he doesnt anymore, and players dont fear him anymore.

[tbonegas]

How about Moya? has he officially retired?

[malakas]

Originally Posted by tbonegas

How about Moya? has he officially retired?

no.Neither has Coria,PimPim, or Gaudio.Also Guga officially retired only this year I think.

[djokovicgonzalez2010]

Originally Posted by malakas

no.Neither has Coria,PimPim, or Gaudio.Also Guga officially retired only this year I think.

PimPim is attempting a comeback.... hes done a good job of beating Class A-B players then losing to non-top-32ers. In one, he defeated Lleyton Hewitt 7-6 6-3 and then lost to Gasquet (not that shameful) 6-4 6-7 2-6. In the next he beat Luczak to get to Juan Monaco, who he beat 6-4 6-4 then lost to Belluchi 6-7 3-6

[malakas]

I know. I am pretty excited about his return though I was not so optimistic about it.

[TheMusicLover]

I'd be very sad to see him leave the tour, as he was my fav player (together with Kuerten) right before the Fedal Era took off.

I don't really think he will retire as of yet. His 2009-run was (more than) decent, finally winning an ATP title again, and doing well at Wimbledon, just to name a few things. I think he'll consider of giving it another try in 2010, just to see what he's still capable of. If his results are disappointing, perhaps he'll make the decision thereafter, but I can well see him continue playing, just having some incidental good runs & fun!

Juanqui, as a former GS winner and a former #1, has nothing left to prove. If he still enjoys playing, well, I'd say he'll continue to do so. I really hope so, at least.

[tbonegas]

Originally Posted by malakas

no.Neither has Coria,PimPim, or Gaudio.Also Guga officially retired only this year I think.

Coria has retired I think

[longbody]

Ferrero is listed to play at the 2010 Heineken Open in the second week of January. Although he didn't finish 2009 in the top 15 like his goal, I think all the JCF retirement talk was from earlier in the year when Safin announced his.

[Rhino]

Originally Posted by tbonegas

How about Moya? has he officially retired?

Moya is playing the Copa Peugeot de Tenis right now, alongside Gaudio...