Career Review

Career Highlights - Singles

Facts

• Won the Spanish leg of the Tennis Masters Series in Madrid, October 2003, beating Nicholas Massu in the Final.
  
  
• At the US Open, he defeated Andre Agassi and Lleyton Hewitt en route to the Final where he lost to Andy Roddick.
  
  
• In Davis Cup, 1st round vs. Belgium, defeated C Rochus and Vliegen in straight sets. Quarter final tie against Croatia, defeated Ancic in opening rubber in straight sets.
  
  
• Opened season in Sydney with impressive wins over Youzhny, Srichaphan and Schuettler before holding one match point in final against Lee, only to lose Ferreira in third-set-tie break.
  
  
• In Melbourne, beat Santoro in five sets in 3rd round and lost to Ferreira in straight sets in quarter final.
  
  
• In 2003, the Spanish No. 1 turned in a solid first three months of play, reaching final in Sydney, quarter-finals at Australia Open and posting a 3-0 Davis Cup record in leading his country to semi-finals.
  
  
• In 2002, he won two ATP titles in five finals, highlighted by his second career Tennis Masters title in Monte Carlo and first Grand Slam final at Roland Garros. Closed season with runner-effort at Tennis Masters Cup in Shanghai where he lost epic five-set battle to No.1 Hewitt 6-4 in final set.
  
  
• He finished a year-end best No.4 and became first Spaniard since Sergi Bruguerain 1993-94 to appear in Top 5 back-to-back season.
  
  
• In his third appearance at Roland Garros, broke through to reach his first Grand Slam title match with victories over Gaudio (4th RD), Agassi (QF), and Safin (SF), only to fall to Costa in four sets.
  
  
• His best result rest of season were Quarter Final in Hong Kong and Lyon and Semi-final at TMC in Sydney where he defeated Kuerten and Ivanisevic before losing to eventual champion Hewitt.
  
  
• Earned a career-high US$2,762,498 which was second –highest on tour during year.
  
  
• In 2001, he improved his year-end ATP ranking for fourth straight year with first Top 10 showing. His No.5 year-end ranking was highest by a Spaniard since Alex Corretja in 1998. Won four ATP titles, including his first career hard court crown and Tennis Masters Series title, qualified for season-ending Tennis Masters Cup in Sydney and advanced to semi-final.
  
  
• In 2000, finished as No. 2 player in his country. Reaching two ATP finals, advanced to his first Grand Slam Semi-final and led Spain to their first Davis Cup title ever. Played well in his first Olympic in Sydney, reaching quarter-final.
  
  
• In 1999, he made biggest ranking improvement in Top 50 from previous year, moving 12 positions. Qualified and advanced to semi-final in Casablanca in ATP debut. Captured two Challenger titles and a finalist in two others. In Mallorca, won his first ATP title, defeating No. 11 Corretja in three sets.
  
  
• In 1998, won titles at Spain Futures #3 and Spain Futures #8. Also reached final at Italy Futures #3.

Personal

• Began playing tennis at age seven with his father, Eduardo. Draws his tennis inspiration from his mother, Rosario.
  
  
• Nicknames are “Mosquito” due to his speed and small physique and “Chavalito”, which means “little kid” in a joking way from fellow Spanish players.
  
  
• As a youngster, admired former No.1 and two-time Roland Garros champion Jim Courier.
  
  
• Likes to collect motor-bikes and cars. His favorite is a Renault Spider.
  
  
• Fan of Real Madrid soccer team. Friend of countryman and pro golfer Sergio Garcia.
  
  
• Named ATP Newcomer of Year in 1999.
  
  
• In 2001, opened his own tennis school, “Equalite J.C. Ferrero” in his hometown of Villena, Alicante, to promote future tennis talents between ages 14 and 21.
  
  
• Fitness trainer is Miguel Maeso ; coached by Antonio Martinez and Samuel Lopez.