David Ferrer (Xàbia, Alicante; 42 years old) comes and goes through the facilities of the Reial Club de Tennis Barcelona 1899. Something like what he did on the court, pure energy. “Yes, I'm a little busy these days…” he jokes at an intersection. Retired for five years, he today analyzes tennis and its ins and outs from the restraint granted by distance and the experience of having been on both sides: playing before, directing now. He combines the sports management of Godó with the captaincy of the Davis Cup and, in between, pedals and more pedals. “I'm hitting the bike hard every week,” he says. He is also curious, hence the recent visit to the EL PAÍS editorial office to learn about the insides of the newspaper in Madrid.
Ask.
In the midst of this changing tennis scenario, where are tournaments like the Godó?
Answer.
It is true that it is changing in all aspects, especially in the calendar. In that sense, it may affect certain tournaments, but I believe and want to believe that Godó is part of the history of tennis and that it will always be there. Great players keep coming, we are talking about something
premium
. I think we can equate it to Monte Carlo or Rome, which are clubs where the best players have won. It has a different appeal. Its history makes a lot of difference for it to continue being at the forefront as 500. This edition is our 125th anniversary, and I think that says it all. This is where it all started: Santana, then Nadal, now Alcaraz. That cannot be erased.
Q.
Where is this sport? How can you explain that an exhibition like the one Nadal and Alcaraz played in Las Vegas can have a greater impact than long-term tournaments?
A.
I don't think we're going there. The exhibitions have an impact depending on who plays them, and in that case [March 3], Netflix did something pioneering, something new; They were the first to hold a live sporting event, and novelty always attracts. I think the fans like the circuit as such, with its calendar and its
ranking
; There is too much history behind it to think that the exhibitions are going to gain ground on the circuit. In that sense, I am calm. Exhibitions are entertainment, but ephemeral.
It is impossible to live what you have experienced on a tennis court, but Rafa will look for adrenaline in another way
Q.
More or less, what the new audiences demand, right?
A.
Our sport has to evolve. Our society has changed and, I'm not saying it's not capable, but young people certainly don't like to sit and watch a game that lasts four hours. Everything evolves and trends change, and tennis must adapt: shorter matches, rule changes... They are tried, but then many are not applied. For example, the issue of
let
and the first service. Why do we have to slow down the game instead of making it a little more dynamic? I don't think there should be a single serve, because it is too radical a change, but tennis has been a bit static.
Q.
You retired in 2019 and it seems that Nadal's goodbye is now looming. Is it hard to get rid of this sport?
A.
In the end, it is a trauma. This is not the case with Rafa, but when you see that the results are not going well, that your
ranking
is going down or that you have more injuries than normal, mentally that takes a toll on you. It's something you've done your whole life and... it's a little dizzying. If you analyze it, it's scary and you think: What now? In your case, I'm not that concerned. He has concerns and his family, he is a happy guy. With the child you are living a new stage. I think that he, precisely, will handle the withdrawal well. Just as you see other profiles and think that it will cost them more, in your case I don't have the slightest concern.
Q.
How do you compensate for the lack of adrenaline?
A.
He will look for it in another way. It will never be similar to what you did on a tennis court, because you will never experience that again, because it is impossible, but you can do it another way. For example, he really likes golf.
Q.
Do you see him following in Jordan's footsteps with baseball, but with golf?
A.
No, no. Although to know… [laughs]. It's simply a way of feeling something, and I think that's enough. For me, for example, cycling allows me to turn off my demons. It's not the same, nor do I want to be a professional at anything, but it is a way to push myself a little more, like I did on a tennis court. I believe that Rafa will find that path.
P.
Djokovic has not shone this quarter. How does he see it?
A.
Let's see, it seems that you have some doubts. I think that this year he is making the calendar to face the tournaments with enthusiasm, and that is important; I see it as good for his career and to be able to extend it. At the same time, this approach has a difficulty component, since you do not have the opportunity to compete in several tournaments in a row, and thus it is more difficult to pick up the pace. In Australia we didn't see the best Djokovic, but I think he played good tennis; and then, it is true that he has not played as usual. But I think he will always be among the favorites.
Q.
So is Alcaraz. Are you surprised by the doubts that were generated around him until the victory in Indian Wells?
R.
More than surprising me, they amuse me. Before he was the best in history and something unique, but suddenly it is said: 'this kid is not so good anymore.' They are illogical comments. That he didn't win in eight months, so? What's happening? In the end, you can't win every tournament and you're 20 years old. Are we crazy or what? He plays great tennis, he has won Indian Wells, lost in the quarterfinals in Australia and is number three in the world... What more do we want? In Spain we are a bit illogical in that sense; We idolize too quickly and let them fall to the minimum. There must be a bit of balance. That's what the passion of sport has, but when you've been a professional athlete you see it differently.
What more do we want with Alcaraz? We are crazy? We idolize very quickly and let ourselves fall at the slightest
P.
Roddick says he should make his tennis “more boring”, so he would have a better chance of success. What does he think?
A.
He refers to tactics, but he is 20 years old. And how fun is it to watch him do everything he does? He is one of those tennis players for whom you pay the entrance fee. Everything requires learning, and surely the 20-year-old Roddick was not the same as the 25-year-old. Carlos has such an ability to master all the blows from all sides, that it is normal that sometimes he can get a little disorganized. Sometimes, former professional players don't remember when they played... And I'm not saying this because of Andy, who I really like, but because from the sidelines everything looks very easy. And I include myself, right?
Q.
Following that approach, does Sinner have more options for that more linear style?
A.
I think he has evolved more gradually. Not later, but more naturally. Carlos' thing has been a
boom
, because of how quickly he has achieved everything and the way in which he has achieved it. I think that both of their careers are going to be super successful, and that the small details are going to make a difference. When you're at that level, everything counts. For example, Djokovic was a pioneer in the topic of nutrition, and that has surely helped him to be physically better than others at this point.
Q.
He was, in some ways, ahead of his time.
A.
Yes, then he was an avant-garde. At first, everyone was talking about gluten or yoga and, in the end, those types of things have marked a before and after for these types of players. In the case of Carlos and Jannik, I think it will be decisive how they evolve on and off the track.
Player, manager, captain 🫡🥰
The entire #BCNOpenBS team wishes you a happy birthday, @DavidFerrer87. pic.twitter.com/y8Zha5NWjl
— Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell (@bcnopenbs) April 2, 2024
Q.
What seduces you most about Sinner?
A.
The impact of the ball, both forehand and backhand. If you hear the sound when he hits it... The
timing
, that acceleration. I really like that I have been able to progress each year. And also the fact that they are normal people, like Carlos. I like that the players are normal, because in some cases they live in the bubble of success and it is not easy. He has that mental maturity that I admire.
Q.
If nothing goes wrong, we will see you at the Games. And you will lead the Spanish men's team from the bench. How excited are you?
A.
A lot. And I have the motivation that Rafa can play doubles with Carlos. The Olympic Games are something that has a lot of impact, and for the players they are an important week. I want to help them and I'm excited. I have never experienced it this way and I feel like it. I have lived my tennis career with Rafa, and now as captain I was also able to have him as a player, and that is exciting.
Q.
Can you imagine the Nadal-Alcaraz duo?
A.
I want to imagine it. I visualize it. Then whatever has to happen will happen, but it would be very nice.
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