Why hasn't Ferrer declined yet?

[tank_job]

30 years old, as physical a grinding style of play as you can get, a chain smoking habit, and the guy is getting the best results of his career.

Is he some sort of freak, why isn't he declining?

[Don Felder]

Wow--I didn't realize he was quite 30. I thought he was about 28. He's a model of consistency, that's for sure. Did Ferrer have as much success/play as much tennis in the early part of his career? I don't remember seeing him around THAT much until the last 5 years. Maybe he's benefiting from having a lighter match load in the early part of his career. Or maybe I'm off base on that assumption--can't look up his record right now.

[ChipNCharge]

Originally Posted by tank_job

30 years old, as physical a grinding style of play as you can get, a chain smoking habit, and the guy is getting the best results of his career.

Is he some sort of freak, why isn't he declining?

Ferrer is a chain smoker?? I wonder how many players on the tour smoke reguarly?

[BrooklynNY]

Perhaps Yannick Noah could help us with this question?

[dominikk1985]

It's the smoking.

[zcarzach]

Originally Posted by BrooklynNY

Perhaps Yannick Noah could help us with this question?

Eees jus' talent, no?

[bluetrain4]

I think the Ferrer's smoking has been elevated to urban legend status. Yes, I believe he smoked at one point in his career (didn't someone post pictures?). Maybe he even still occasionally has a smoke, I don't know. But, people talk about it as if he has always and still does smoke multiple packs per day. I don't think that's the case. Nonetheless, even if he smokes one cigarette per week, it's SO out of line of what we expect from professional athletes.

I don't know why he hasn't declined. We know he is an animal in the gym and his fitness regimine is outstanding. Other than that, he seems to just be lucky withy serious injuries and he might also be lucky in that his joints are primarily still "good" despite all the grinding tennis. Also, he's small, which sometimes (not always) makes a difference in regards to wear and tear.

He isn't THAT old, but I guess for tennis, at least historically, he is.

Someone had posted a thread the other day about age and "modern sports medicine" (without specificying what he was talking about), and how "modern sports medicine" allows players to stay in the game at a high level longer.

[BeHappy]

He's a late developer, he hadn't played many matches until he was in his mid twenties because he used to lose all the time.

Most grinders are early developers like Chang, Hewitt, Borg etc who were all top players at 17. Ferrer doesn't have the miles on the clock they do.

[Mainad]

He's super-fit and very consistent. Almost always plays to his strengths. He may be 30 but he plays more like someone 4 or 5 years younger!

[kragster]

Unlike what TW would have you believe not all players start and end their primes and post primes at the same age. That's why it's best to discuss the sum total of achievements rather than compare achievements at a certain age.

[Fed Kennedy]

The Spanish training methods are superior.

[Wolfman Jack]

Whether in the dinner plate or in smoke form, vegetables are good for you.

[Wolfman Jack]

Originally Posted by Fed Kennedy

The Spanish training methods are superior.

Standing by for dumb PED reference in 3...2...1...

[djones]

As of late people seem to realize that 30 isn't really that old actually.
I think with the right attitude and motivation players could easily play at a high level when in their 30ies.
Agassi is an example and now Federer as well.
And I believe there were 37 players being 30 or over at the start of this Roland Garros.
Also Haas at 34 was having a very good tournament.

Btw, I 'like' that fact Ferrer is a smoker, shows you can very well be a Pro tennis player with bad habits.
I think Grosjean smoked cigarettes as well.

At 28, I might even take some tennis lessons, maybe it isn't too late for me

[Emet74]

Originally Posted by Don Felder

Wow--I didn't realize he was quite 30. I thought he was about 28. He's a model of consistency, that's for sure. Did Ferrer have as much success/play as much tennis in the early part of his career? I don't remember seeing him around THAT much until the last 5 years. Maybe he's benefiting from having a lighter match load in the early part of his career. Or maybe I'm off base on that assumption--can't look up his record right now.

I don't think Ferrer hit the top 10 'til 2007, as compared to Fed who's the same age but became top 10 in 2002 and top 5 in 2003, or Roddick who's 1 year younger but broke thru' around the same time as Fed.

[Tennis_Hands]

Originally Posted by Wolfman Jack

Standing by for dumb PED reference in 3...2...1...

There is no need from such. Dr. Cotorro approves.

[ivan_the_terrible]

Originally Posted by Fed Kennedy

The Spanish training methods are superior.

Agreed completely - look at their dominance in cycling & football and the odd swimmer. The Spanish government decided awhile back to turn their country into a powerhouse athletic empire (who cares about the economy anyway?). Rumour has it they fashioned their training on the legendary East German mantra of hard work and austerity.
The results speak for themselves - check out their progressively increasing medal hauls in the past Olympics, their superiority in cycling, #1-ranked football team & of course the dominance in tennis.

Or maybe it's just something in the water over there..

[Tennis_Hands]

Originally Posted by ivan_the_terrible

Agreed completely - look at their dominance in cycling & football and the odd swimmer. The Spanish government decided awhile back to turn their country into a powerhouse athletic empire (who cares about the economy anyway?). Rumour has it they fashioned their training on the legendary East German mantra of hard work and austerity.
The results speak for themselves - check out their progressively increasing medal hauls in the past Olympics, their superiority in cycling, #1-ranked football team & of course the dominance in tennis.

Or maybe it's just something in the water over there..

I see what you did there.

[Wolfman Jack]

Originally Posted by ivan_the_terrible

Agreed completely - look at their dominance in cycling & football and the odd swimmer. The Spanish government decided awhile back to turn their country into a powerhouse athletic empire (who cares about the economy anyway?). Rumour has it they fashioned their training on the legendary East German mantra of hard work and austerity.
The results speak for themselves - check out their progressively increasing medal hauls in the past Olympics, their superiority in cycling, #1-ranked football team & of course the dominance in tennis.

Or maybe it's just something in the water over there..

Yeah, the Conquistadors also used PEDs in their quests in the New World. On the other hand, maybe it was (and still is) that they have cojones.

[sundaypunch]

Originally Posted by ivan_the_terrible

Agreed completely - look at their dominance in cycling & football and the odd swimmer. The Spanish government decided awhile back to turn their country into a powerhouse athletic empire (who cares about the economy anyway?). Rumour has it they fashioned their training on the legendary East German mantra of hard work and austerity.
The results speak for themselves - check out their progressively increasing medal hauls in the past Olympics, their superiority in cycling, #1-ranked football team & of course the dominance in tennis.

Or maybe it's just something in the water over there..

Yes, cyclist Alberto Contador is a perfect example of Spanish dominance in sports.