FERRER RALLIES TO DEFEAT ZVEREV AND CONTINUE MIAMI OPEN FAREWELL
By Tucker Verdi
Miami Gardens, FL — In what he says is the last year of his incredible professional tennis career, one that includes 27 singles titles, a peak ranking of World No. 3, and reaching the quarterfinal stage of every major and the final of the 2013 French Open, David Ferrer is continuing to fight for every point.
That has been the hallmark of the 5-foot-9 Spaniard’s time on tour, known for grinding out seemingly-unwinnable points by wearing down his opponent. He says he’s done, but the display of grit and sheer will-power on Stadium Court in his 2-6, 7-5, 6-3 upset of No. 2 seed Alexander Zverev shows his competitive fire is still burning.
Perhaps David Ferrer isn’t done just yet.
“I love Miami,” Ferrer said on court after his comeback win to deafening applause from the audience that had favored him all evening. The noise level was reminiscent of the Roger Federer match earlier in the day, support very few players are able to say they have received.
The 36-year-old — playing in only a handful of tournaments en route to the Madrid Masters, where he will make his final professional appearance, was asked what his key was to taking down the World No. 3 young German star.
“Well I try to enjoy it,” Ferrer explained, “to fight for every point. The first set, he was better than me… in the second and third, I tried to play it point by point.”
An increasingly frustrated Zverev couldn’t seem to shake the spirited veteran, who bounded around the court so effortlessly and now moves onto a third round matchup on Monday with No. 28 seed Frances Tiafoe. The American Tiafoe — like Zverev, is 15 years Ferrer’s junior.
Whether that ends up being his final match in Miami or not, Ferrer has built an indelible legacy of perseverance. While his career maybe coming to a close in just a few months, his story at the 2019 Miami Open is still being written.
No, David Ferrer isn’t done just yet. And we’re all the luckier for it.
Catch him in action on Monday. Get your tickets here!
