FERRER DOESN’T WIN, BUT AT LEAST GETS HIS CHANCE AFTER DOING DUTIES AS LONDON ALTERNATE BY RICKY DIMON

Written by: Staff on 13th November 2014

FERRER DOESN'T WIN, BUT AT LEAST GETS HIS CHANCE AFTER DOING DUTIES AS LONDON ALTERNATE BY RICKY DIMON

epa04488008 Spain's David Ferrer returns to Japan's Kei Nishikori during their Round Robin match for the ATP World Tour Finals tennis tournament at the O2 Arena in London, Britain, 13 November 2014. EPA/ANDY RAIN |

David Ferrer put in the hard yards for four days at the World Tour Finals. Every day, he fulfilled the requirements of an alternate by being on site prior to each singles match–two on Sunday, two on Monday, two on Tuesday, and another two on Wednesday. That’s what an alternate has to do in case one–or both–of the scheduled participants suddenly pulls out.

That’s exactly what happened on Thursday, when Milos Raonic was unable to suit up for his final round-robin match against Kei Nishikori.

“Through extensive sort of research with the doctors’ team here, we found that I have a slight tear on the vastus medialis on my quad,” Raonic told the media. “Just a large area of swelling, about five centimeters long, three centimeters wide, and one centimeter deep of swelling and bleeding.”

“I didn’t have a chance to speak to Kei,” Raonic explained. “I decided maybe 10 minutes ago, shortly before I came up here (to the press room). The only person I really had a chance to talk to was David, just to let him know he would be playing. That’s pretty much it.”

Ferrer jumped at the chance even though a possible back issue may have him at slightly less than 100 percent. The veteran Spaniard was not about to be relegated to spectator status having previously spent the week practicing with–or essentially warming up–the other participants.

“Well, last week I was [on a holiday],” said Ferrer, who lost to Nishikori 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 but played his part in the first three-set singles match of the week. “I came here Sunday. So I practiced four days. My condition, it was perfect for [playing] today against Kei.”

Japan’s Kei Nishikori returns to Spain’s David Ferrer during their Round Robin match for the ATP World Tour Finals tennis tournament at the O2 Arena in London, Britain, 13 November 2014. EPA/ANDY RAIN

Afterward, the world No. 10 was asked about the fact that Grigor Dimitrov–and others–declined the opportunity to be the second alternate (Feliciano Lopez is, because Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Ernests Gulbis also said no).

“I cannot talk about the other players.,” Ferrer answered. “It was a good idea (to come as an alternate) because I [got to] play one match in London. It was good. It [would have been] perfect if I [had won] the match, but it’s not easy. Here are the best players of the world. Of course, my goal is to be here again with the best players of the world.”

Lopez and Eric Butorac (in doubles), also just missed the cut. They are both on hand in London, as well, but unlike Ferrer have not yet gotten a chance to sub in. Lopez watched the Roger Federer vs. Andy Murray beatdown on Thursday night and was later trying to explain to fellow Spaniards different tactics Murray could have used. Butorac has kept himself busy by doing radio and also working on projects in his new role as president of the ATP player council.

Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and also maintains his own tennis website, The Grandstand.

Topics: ATP Finals, David Ferrer, Kei Nishikori, London, milos raonic, Ricky Dimon, Tennis

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10sBalls_com says:

November 13, 2014 at 7:50 pm

#DavidFerrer DOESN’T WIN, BUT AT LEAST GETS HIS CHANCE AFTER DOING DUTIES AS #LONDON ALTERNATE BY @RD_Tennistalk- http://t.co/qcYbmCwj9z
PromoteInLondon says:

November 13, 2014 at 7:58 pm

RT @10sBalls_com: #DavidFerrer DOESN’T WIN, BUT AT LEAST GETS HIS CHANCE AFTER DOING DUTIES AS #LONDON ALTERNATE BY @RD_Tennistalk- http://…
RD_Tennistalk says:

November 14, 2014 at 2:15 am

RT @10sBalls_com: #DavidFerrer DOESN’T WIN, BUT AT LEAST GETS HIS CHANCE AFTER DOING DUTIES AS #LONDON ALTERNATE BY @RD_Tennistalk- http://…