David Ferrer: “It’s harder to climb Alpe d’Huez than through Nadal and Alcaraz”

david ferrer, director of the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell-Conde de Godó Trophy, and Tommy Robredo, new sports adviser at RCT Barcelona-1899 Tennis School. One from Xàbia and the other from Olot have age (40 years), sentimental attachment to this club and passion for the Godó tournament, which will celebrate its 70th edition from April 15 to 23. Showing They also have an enviable physical shape, without extra grams and a great sharp racket.

“Tommy called me and the car didn’t lack two rackets and some sneakers, just in case. Always. This never fails”, explained Ferrer in his appointment to Mundo Deportivo.

With Rafa Nadal, twelve times champion, and Carlos Alcaraz, defender of the crown, on the poster, is it all over?

Not everything is over, far from it. Last year we also had Carlos Alcaraz and Rafa Nadal, and in the end Rafa was injured and couldn’t make it. And by accident some other top-10 are also missing. This year what we did was expected. It’s not easy because the budget is what it is and we’re talking about two world-class players. I like that, apart from Rafa Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz, a charismatic top-10 player may come, who is part of the history of Godó. That you want to join We are doing it now so that it will be so.

How does it make you feel to see Nadal’s hip still low and Carlos Alcaraz just injured his hamstring?

I hope they are not injured but it’s part of the sport. I feel bad if I didn’t do something I could have done. I always try to do everything possible, but if it’s a matter of injuries I have to put myself in the players’ shoes. There’s nothing you can do when it’s a break or something that limits you so much. If this happens, I will try to find other solutions. Not a replacement, but look for other alternatives. Now, in Rafa’s case last year we did the presentation thinking Rafa was playing and after thirty minutes his representative Carlos Costa called me because he couldn’t be there. Now Rafa is going back to work and Carlos is no longer important.

Having two figures like this in the house might cause any figure to prefer to avoid painting?

From my part as a player I am ambitious in this regard. And if I go to a contest it’s because I like it. I want to play in the best tournaments, the most historic center court. And Godó is one of them. I can’t speak for other players, but we have a Rafa Nadal who is part of history and a Carlos Alcaraz who is reading records at a young age. Two Spanish players playing at home is a wonderful thing. From the part that touches me I want to have the best.

He loves cycling and is an active practitioner. If there is a conflict of interest between Nadal and Alcaraz in the tournament, is it more difficult to climb Alpe d’Huez or intervene between them?

Alpe d’Huez is harder to climb, I can guarantee it will be harder. They are two easy players. Very good but also humble. With so many people around, it’s a supportive environment. They are very mature and both the families of one and the other are humble. I have known them all my life, it is easier for me to deal with them. If the situation arises, which I do not believe, I always try to do the best at a sports level, the most correct. It doesn’t mean I’m right, but if I have a calmness, it’s that I always try to be honest with people.

Does Rafa Nadal have a fifteenth Roland Garros?

Yes I can do it. Adjusting the calendar is important to Rafa. The best in the history of this sport, and this is my personal opinion, is the one who will win the most Grand Slam titles. Either it will be Novak Djokovic or it will be Rafa Nadal. They are preparing for the most important event, for the Grand Slams, without a doubt. In this regard, the fact that Rafa is in Godó after so many years of winning it, that he continues to have the illusion and motivation to continue playing here should be appreciated and enjoyed. You have to appreciate Rafa Nadal having another year, on the tournament’s 70th anniversary.

Did Djokovic’s strong performance in Australia surprise you?

It’s not that he’s always played so well at the beginning of the year. The Australian Open is his favorite tournament. He has won the most times. In addition, he continues to maintain an incredible physical level. And he has enormous ambitions, as is the case with Rafa.

And what advice would you give Alcaraz in the year after becoming No. 1 and US Open champion, after suffering several injuries?

I don’t want to give advice, there is Juan Carlos Ferrero. He is a very good friend of mine and knows a lot. He is lucky to have an environment that helps him a lot. Juan Carlos also went through this situation, he experienced that youth to become number one and Grand Slam champion. Carlos is working on a physical level, this is normal. Rafa also had injuries when he was young, until he regularized his situation, consolidated his status. It’s a shame because my dirt tour was good, but nothing happened. This is one of the many small stones on the path. Recovery will be good. Let’s see how he handles the pressure, whether you like it or not, the first year everything is high, then you are more aware of everything. And everyone wants to beat you, the opponent plays with less pressure, the better. But he is aware, I have discussed this personally with Juan Carlos, and he is aware of the situation he will experience this year.

“Feliciano López is my younger brother, I love him very much”

Retired with record participation

An invitation has been reserved for Feliciano López to enter the draw for the 22nd time. The record will stand here as he retired at 41 years old. David Ferrer defined about him that “it is much more, it is something personal. I always tell him, he is my brother, even though he is older than me. I love him very much. And he is the player who has played Godó the most times. I’m excited to say goodbye to it. And I am very happy that he is in shape, that he ends his career competing. It’s very important because it will make you feel better.”

Is the presence of Nadal and Alcaraz another dream as the new Davis Cup captain?

Of course it would be a dream. September is still a long way to go. I like it, and I will try to be them. Obviously, Rafa’s situation is different, but I will talk to him, I have the confidence to do it. Playing at home, first in Valencia and then in Malaga if we qualify for the Finals, could be a great culmination for his Davis Cup career. Why not?.

Has the captain arrived yet?

Not fast either. I’ve been a coach, I’m still the director of Godó, I’ve been a television commentator, I’ve been the director of the Davis Cup. It is a process and the right time to be a captain. I’m happy because it was the players’ decision. His OK is important, I don’t need to end up in a place where they don’t want me. When I was a player, I also had an opinion, although later it is the federation that makes the decision. I’m excited. I love tennis, it doesn’t cost me anything to follow them all year round. I’m lucky to have someone to play with, we compete and we’ve known each other since we were kids. And that gave me the confidence to be close to them.

They will ask you to win the ‘salad bowl’.

And I will ask the players for this (laughs). Of course they will ask me. It is a motivation. The more pressure, the better, it means you have a good team to cover it. I wouldn’t want to be a captain without knowing that I can aim for a ‘salad bowl’.

Is it easier or harder to win now with the new format?

It is more difficult because the double conditions a lot. It doesn’t reward single players much. It is true that many changes have been made in recent years. With this year keeping the format, we’ll see what happens in the years to come.

Will it change anything?

I find it unfair that the double condition is so much. The theme of playing at home and playing games gave it something different compared to other competitions. The public is more involved in their country. What I wouldn’t do is go back to five sets because the players are so busy. These are ideas that should be discussed with everyone.

Are Davis and Godó compatible?

I said this from the beginning, to the players and to the federation. I love being the director of Godó because of the love I have for it and it’s a project where I give my word. I don’t think it’s incompatible, the calendar is different, it doesn’t have to affect the Davis Cup team. And in the tournament I will always be fair to everyone, not because I am the captain I will benefit the Spanish players in the tournament. It is a matter of being right and fair. The way Davis Cup is now, you can’t just be the captain, you have to do other things. Otherwise, it’s impossible. No captain does what the captain does. It’s been two weeks.

Official presentation of the 70th anniversary

The Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell-70 Conde de Godó Trophy was officially presented this Thursday (12:15 pm) at the Castell de Montjuïc. The action can be followed streaming via event channels. However, there is no official final list of entries as it will not close until March 20. So far the tournament has announced the presence of Rafa Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz, who have been prioritized. Another top-10 in the portfolio is the Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas, double finalist and in the last four editions. There is a mutual ‘feeling’.