TMS - MADRID

October 19, 2003

Juan Carlos Ferrero

THE MODERATOR: Questions in English for Juan Carlos.

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Yeah, of course is a special win for me here in Madrid. You know, I was in front of all my crowd, you know, all the people of Madrid and the rest of Spain. Of course, is a special win, as well, because this is the first tournament that I win in indoors. So it's very important.

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Exactly.

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Of course, yes. I believe in me all the time, and I believe that I can play very good also in grass, you know, and also in indoor court. I think right now I'm showing to everybody, and I'm going to try to give my best also in Davis Cup on grass.

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Yeah, of course. To win this tournament is going to help me a lot. You know, I'm taking a lot of confidence after winning this match, after winning this tournament. Of course, it's going to help me to play in Paris, Houston and Davis Cup.

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: No. I was expecting that I'm doing, you know. I expect that I can play very good on grass, and I did four round in Wimbledon, you know. After winning Roland Garros, that is pretty difficult to play good on grass. You know, I was expecting that I can -- I wanted to play good on indoor courts. I think I did it very well here in Madrid. I hope to play at the same level in Paris and Houston, as well.

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Yeah. What do you think (laughter)? Yeah, I think I can play very good on home. I have a synthetic court in my academia. I think it's good to try to practice well. I think if I have enough time to practice well, I can do it well.

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: I think so. I think mentally I improve a lot in the difficult moment, you know, in the match. Also after losing, you know, I think is very important to be calm, you know, not that I was before, maybe a little bit nervous after the final or important tournament, I have to learn that, of course, I'm going to be sad if I lose the final, but I have to be relax, you know, calm and keep going.

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Yeah, I have a little problem in my adductor. I feel a little bit pain, you know, before the match maybe because I have a lot of sets, I play a lot of sets during the week. Yesterday was a difficult match against Federer. Today I felt with a little pain in my abductor. You know, I think I need to put the tape to play, I need it, yeah.

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Yeah, I'm satisfied. Of course, I'm happy. But I'm like this. You know, I'm not smile guy all the time. But, of course, I'm pretty happy. Believe me.

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: It's difficult to compare. They're different tournaments. That's a Grand Slam, this is indoor. This is very fast. That one is clay, this one is a different surface. It's very special to win here at home for me after having played indoors and having found great difficulties as I found in the beginning. It was special also to win on clay, because I was looking for that. I've been looking for that for years, so it's difficult to answer.

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: This title of being a player on clay is not nice, I don't like it, because I think I got rid of it years ago. Regarding this tournament, I think it's been a very important victory to me because I've been to Shanghai, Bangkok, those finals. I couldn't win them. But here I've been able to. So it's been important to me. I'm able to say I've been able to win on all surfaces. I think the words I said after the victory, I think my father also deserves those words. I thought I could change the ones of Roland Garros.

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Every title is important, in fact. But if you play in your country, in your city, that is something you feel closer maybe, something you're happy about. Maybe it's true, I'm born in Valencia, so that's important to me, too. Every tournament is important.

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Yes, in fact, we played long points. Since the beginning of the match, he's been a good rival. He fought until the end. Even when he had a double break, it was difficult to turn the match over, to recover. I was surprised with his strength, his psychological strength. I think he's improved a lot. He's defeated people such as Kuerten, Roddick, El Aynaoui, who are players that are very important. I think he played a great tournament.

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Yeah, it's true now I'm calmer and I have a better place in the ranking, the best one. But I would like to keep the No. 1 until the end of the year. That would be another triumph after the year I've played. I hope to achieve it. Talking about Basel, I've decided not to go because of my leg, the abductor. It's hurting a little bit. Right now after the match, it does hurt a little bit more. I wouldn't really want to go to Basel to force myself and my leg, especially after what I've done. It's not only because I've won the tournament, but I need to recuperate. I will need a few days for that. I don't really want to force myself.

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: I think it's very important. It means that I've been playing well throughout the year. That's why I'm No. 1. I've won important tournaments, like one Grand Slam and a few other tournaments. For me, the fact of being top in both rankings is very important. I'm very proud.

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: I'm going to rest until Wednesday, at least. Let's see how my leg is recuperating with the therapy. Then I will train indoors in Villena, in the academy, in order to prepare for Paris as best as possible.

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Yes. Victories must be celebrated always. So tonight there's a celebration, I can assure you that.

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: To tell you the truth, I was very surprised the first day because of the court and how fast it was. It doesn't affect, the altitude. But I'm lucky to train in Villena at 500 meters. But even after training in Villena, I noticed this court is fast. I think other players do notice it, too. It's difficult to play here with this altitude and on a hard court and fast court. You have to train hard. Your reflexes have to be even faster than usual because if you're not, you realize in the moment that you've almost lost the match.

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Both, because Roddick is very close. But if Federer does well, he'll be there, too. There's still two indoor tournaments left. Besides, the semifinals is in the Masters, so maybe Roddick has not so many points to defend. But their games are dangerous, both of them.

JUAN CARLOS FERRERO: Of course, to win a tournament always helps to accumulate energy for the rest. But I think I'm doing well. I hope to win more triumphs throughout the year, Davis Cup included.