Juan Carlos Ferrero to retire

[joeybee12]

VALENCIA, Spain -- Former No. 1 Juan Carlos Ferrero says he'll retire after playing in his hometown Valencia Open next month.

The 32-year-old Spaniard moved to the top of the rankings in 2003 after winning the French Open and reaching the U.S. Open final, where he lost to Andy Roddick.

In 14 years as a professional, he won 15 titles and helped Spain win two of its five Davis Cups in 2000 and 2004.

"It was a complicated decision to leave a world you have lived in intensely," he said Wednesday. "But I have had a tough year and you start to notice that you don't have the same ambition and motivation."

Ferrero plans to devote time to his tennis academy and hotel.

http://espn.go.com/tennis/story/_/id/8369952/former-no-1-juan-carlos-ferrero-retire-valencia-open

Very sad...I always liked him but he's had so many injuries during his career.

[MuseRider]

1. Too bad.

He was a good competitor over the years. Seems like he has been around forever.

EDIT Too not to

[joeybee12]

3. 2003 was his year...the French Open...finally...after being favored

for a few years prior...it was, sadly, downhill from there with the injuries.

[TBF]

2. I'd love to visit his tennis academy in Spain -

he's been a great player & sad to see him retire.

[joeybee12]

4. Would have loved to have him come back to peak form...

Would have kept Rafoid from winning so many French titles.

[TBF]

5. Very true. It's been quite a few announcements lately -

maybe Rafa will announce his retirement soon too!! *dreaming*

[joeybee12]

6. I don't think he will...and that's the good thing about Murray playing better...

He used to give Rafroid a hard time...let's hope he can do it again because Djoker clearly is not at peak form anymore

[bigwillq]

7. I've always liked him.

Crazy that he and Roddick will retire in the same year.

[joeybee12]

8. I'd forgotten he played Roddick in the 2003 US Open Final...

That match pissed me off...the crowd was so rude and obnoxious...the way they were towards Sam Stosur in last year's final...too bad Juan Carlos didn't get a second slam somewhere along the lines.