David Ferrer: “Malaga, the perfect location for the Davis Cup”

Forty years well worn, ex n. 3 of the world. 27 titles won, and three Davis Cups. David Ferrer, from Alicante, put down his racket three years ago and, in June, was named the new director of the Davis Cup, which kicks off next week. He tells us about his sensations on the eve, and what to expect from the 2022 edition.

David, how do you feel about your recent past?

Well, now the sensations are different than when I was playing, I no longer have that pressure, that I can see people cheering and supporting you. But I knew it was time to stop. Now I have many memories, and the Davis Cup is one of them.

It was a different competition.

“Well, yes and no. In the sense that today this event has only three matches that are played over three sets. Instead when I played, and even won, there were five games and five sets. But the stress, the tension, the responsibility are the same. Believe me”.

The new format has been criticized.

“There are those who like it, and those who don’t. And, like things in life, critics make themselves felt above all. I, on the other hand, say that we are well on our way and year after year we try to improve on the previous one”.

How?

“Let’s think about the players: I think they now have more time to rest and, being the last tournament of the season, they feel tired. I’ve been a tennis player, and the memories of every week after every week are etched in my mind. As I said before, and I come back to myself again for a moment, at a certain point you know that all the pages end and the lights have to be turned off”.

Now, however, he has a new challenge, of an organizational nature.

“I know it’s difficult, that there is pressure. Davis has this new format, and we would like to try to make everyone happy, but I know it’s completely impossible: what can I say, we will try to do our best”.

The experience of the Barcelona tournament helps.

“How many times have I played in Barcelona. And now I see things from another point of view: when I played I was tense, focused only on what was important to me. Now I try to meet the needs of the players, the public, sponsors and organizers. Nice puzzle, right?”

And here we are in Malaga, Costa del Sol.

“Her big first time. You will see, you will be curious to discover this place, perfect with its perfect location. Of course, for Spain especially and with Alcaraz which is from Murcia which is not very far away. But the rest of the world will also like it, we are sure of it”.

Let’s talk about tennis: what do you say about Italy?

“I think he has a great chance to win, really.”

She is a lovable liar…

“But no, it really has top players.”

And he also says it because he has excellent relations with Italy, or with some Italians.

“Of course, the Brancaccio family. Raul is like a brother. It all started because he came to train with me, with his sister Nuria, and a strong thing was born over the years ”.

Something from the Bourbon Kingdom, being the Neapolitan Brancaccios. Did they teach you the dialect?

“Ha ha ha. Ninth. Only a few words. But don’t swear, mind you…”.

He was also a coach. Let’s analyze: Federer retired, and that’s fine. Now Nadal and Djokovic also seem to be feeling the age. But why didn’t the Zverev/Tsitsipas/Thiem generation succeed in overthrowing the realm?

“Do you have any idea what we’re talking about? Of the three best players in life, guys. This is the truth. Only nature could subvert the kingdom, and it hasn’t been said yet”.