FERRER WINS THE BOODLES 2011

Written by: Staff on 18th June 2011

FERRER WINS THE BOODLES 2011

David Ferrer of Spain returns to Gael Monfils of France during the 4th round at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, 30 May 2011. This match was suspended on 29 May for lack of light. EPA/CHRISTOPHE KARABA |

David Ferrer is the 2011 The Boodles champion after a 7-5, 4-6, 10-5
win over David Nalbandian in the singles final.

Ferrer and Nalbandian dodged showers at Stoke Park during the final
and were even forced off by rain when the match was delicately poised
at one-set all. Just as Nalbandian had levelled the match and the
players prepared for the Champions’ Tiebreak, play was suspended and
the players and fans endured a 30-minute wait before The Boodles 2011
title was decided.

“I enjoyed it a lot. I would like to come back next year,” said
Ferrer, who was making his The Boodles debut in 2011. “This is very
good preparation for Wimbledon. It is a good grass court and now I
hope for a good tournament in Wimbledon.”

Nalbandian, who was making his eighth appearance at The Boodles, took
defeat with good humour and said he was satisfied with his week’s work
at Stoke Park. “I came here in 2003 for the first time and now I come
here every year,” said the Argentinean. “I think I’m going to be ready
for Wimbledon. I think the matches here really help us all.”

The singles competition ended on a high note with a surprise
performance by three opera singers – disguised as a security guard, a
groundsman and a hostess respectively- who suddenly began serenading
the Centre Court. They sang several numbers, including Andy Williams’
hit “Can’t Take my Eyes off You” and “Nessum Dorma”, as the crowd,
ballgirls, sponsors and players linked arms and swayed along to the
music. The surprise performance was rounded off with a rousing chorus
of “Happy Birthday” to The Boodles to mark the tournament’s tenth
anniversary.

Earlier in the day, ten-time grand slam champions and World No.1
doubles team the Bryan Brothers had entertained guests in the Players’
Enclosure with a light-hearted question-and-answer session. After the
singles final, they showed their talents on the court with a pro-set
against British pair Chris Eaton and Joshua Goodall, winning 8-2.

A memorable final day of the 2011 tournament ended with an impressive
pro-set from British junior Wimbledon hopefuls Liam Broady and Kyle
Edmund, which Broady won 8-4.

Players who played at The Boodles in 2011
Andy Murray
Novak Djokovic
David Ferrer
David Nalbandian
Gilles Simon
Gael Monfils
Richard Gasquest
Juan Martin Del Potro
Fernando Verdasco
Tommy Haas
Tommy Robredo
Viktor Troiki
Alexandr Dolgopolov
Mike and Bob Bryan
Joshua Goodall
Chris Eaton
Liam Broady
Kyle Edmund

THE 2012 THE BOODLES TOURNAMENT WILL BE HELD 19th – 23rd JUNE 2012