An athlete who decided to grab his lunchpail and go about his business more honestly and honorably than just about anybody. NEW YORK — The 2018 U.S. Open likely marked the final Grand Slam of David Ferrer’s remarkable career. He might not be officially calling it quits until 2019—he plans to retire at home after Barcelona or Madrid next year—but for all intents and purposes, Monday was his last night on a big stage. He faced compatriot and No. 1 seed Rafael Nadal in the first night session on Arthur Ashe, before ultimately retiring due to injury in the second set. You’re forgiven if you missed his retirement announcement. In keeping his preferred mode of operation, it was made quietly and without much fanfare. And then promptly bumped from the news cycle. So it goes for Ferrer. Year after year, he was lodged in the top 10, often the top five. But in this top-heavy era, his status often felt akin to being the fifth Beatle, the sixth of those burger making guys, the 89th piano key. Ferrer is 36 now, far from the top-five neighborhood he used to inhabit regularly (he reached a career-high ranking of world No. 3 in July 2013, now he's outside the top 100). By his own admission, he is a player in decline; the most durable tires in tennis have finally worn down to the treads. Simona Halep's First-Round Exit Clears Path for Serena Williams at U.S. Open While the guy is still playing—still efforting, still competing—let’s take a moment to appreciate the Spaniard. Along with more than 700-plus matches and 27 ATP titles, what else has Ferrer won? The deepest respect of his peers. The appreciation of fans all over the world. A large measure of self-satisfaction. Here we have the latest of late bloomers, a guy who in his early 20s considered quitting tennis and joining a construction crew in his native Spain. Instead, you might say that he joined a one-man construction team, working tirelessly, to build his game, dirty himself, never putting in less than an honest day’s work. At 5’9”, he wasn’t likely to outhit many opponents. He was never kissed by the tennis gods. But no one would do a better job maxing out their potential, wringing every possible drop from their game. Before, after and during matches, Ferrer was the model of exertion, pushing the dimensions of boundaries. Ask young players which ATP pros they look up to and, invariably, they’ll mention Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, and Murray. But those guys are—literally—one in a billion. If players really want inspiration and someone to emulate, what about Ferrer? Here’s an athlete who simply decided to grab his lunchpail and go about his business more honestly and honorably than just about anyone else. You could do worse than aspiring to that.<doc-sep>US Open: Ferrer thanks fans after early retirement against Nadal FREE for news on the biggest players and tournaments SUBSCRIBE Invalid email Sign up forfor news on the biggest players and tournaments When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. Nadal had won the opening set 6-3 before both players were broken in the opening games of the second set. Ferrer then gained a break to lead 4-2 though seemed to be suffering a problem with his leg as he was limping. And after retiring while 4-3 up in the second set, Ferrer confirmed he had an issue with his calf. It was a sad way for Ferrer to finish what is his final Grand Slam match ahead of his retirement next season, having never pulled the plug midway through a contest in 207 previous Slam outings. David Ferrer retired from his US Open first round match with Rafael Nadal David Ferrer receives treatment on court during his US Open clash with Rafael Nadal “I think it’s [the calf muscle] broken. But anyway I have really good memories here at the US Open," Ferrer said after the match. “My last Grand Slam of my career… I’m so sorry because I can’t finish the match but thank you very much and I will miss you a lot. “Calf, yeah. In the second set, the first game, the second game, I had another shot. I called to the physio. With 3-2, one more time. “The problem was I had this injury two years ago. I knew that it was impossible finish the match. I tried two more games. Finally I decide to retire because it's worst play and broke it, break everything. “Well, of course I'm sad because it's my last Grand Slam. I was enjoying playing the match against Rafa. I was playing good. But anyway, I am proud with myself, with my career. Is not a problem. Rafael Nadal practices ahead of US Open Championships David Ferrer couldn't carry on despite treatment to his calf Rafael Nadal and David Ferrer embraced following the early end to their US Open match<doc-sep>The Telegraph Two of the surprise packages of this clay-court season have been British – initially Dan Evans, who made a deep run in Monte Carlo, and more lately Cameron Norrie, who played his second final in three weeks on Sunday. Unfortunately, Norrie wasn’t able to land a maiden ATP title in Lyon. But then he was up against Stefanos Tsitsipas, who has been the dominant force of 2021 outside the slams, and now stands at No 1 in the table of most rankings points gained since January 1. Nevertheless, it had been a hugely creditable effort for Norrie to go this far, especially when you consider that he took out top seed Dominic Thiem on Thursday, and then trounced big-hitting Russian Karen Khachanov in Saturday’s semi-final, losing only two games in the process. Norrie has come to clay late in his career, but it feels like this is developing into his favourite surface. He has one of the heaviest left-handed forehands in the game, loaded with top-spin, and uses it like a miniature version of Rafael Nadal. The result has been a tally of 14 wins and only four losses since he began his European clay-court swing in Barcelona. So while the French Open, which starts next Sunday, has traditionally been a graveyard of British hopes, there are reasons to hope that this year’s event could deliver some more positive results. Norrie’s previous final in Estoril had been a nervewracking affair which he eventually lost on a deciding-set tie-break to the more experienced Spaniard Albert Ramos-Vinolas. Sunday was more straightforward for Tsitsipas, who needed only 69 minutes to hammer home a 6-3, 6-3 victory. It was Tsitsipas’ second title of the clay-court sequence, after he won Monte Carlo in mid-April, taking out Evans in the semi-final along the way. He has become a serious contender to upset the establishment – specifically Nadal and Novak Djokovic – at Roland Garros over the next few weeks. “I felt in good shape from the beginning of the tournament,” said Tsitsipas afterwards. “I am proud of today’s match, I knew it would be a difficult one against Cameron, who has been showing great tennis this week. He has been winning against good players and showing what the left hand can do on clay. “It was not an easy match today. I had to handle the nerves and I am proud of my performance and the way I stayed focused towards my goal.” On this year’s results, meanwhile, both Evans and Norrie stand among the world’s 20 most successful men. Evans is at No 16 and Norrie No 14. The next challenge for them both is to convert that ATP Tour form into a deep run at a major.<doc-sep>
Rafael Nadal practices ahead of US Open Championships Nadal won the title at Flushing Meadows 12 months ago and is one of the favourites to lift the trophy again. He faced former US Open semi-finalist David Ferrer in one of the ties of the first round, though it ended early with the 36-year-old retiring due to injury. But after lifting the trophy in New York last year, Nadal is taking that confidence into the final Grand Slam of the season. He said: "Last year have been a very special year after a couple of years. "2015 was not a positive year in terms of level of tennis. "2016 I was playing good tennis, but I got injured. "Have the chance to get back in 2017. Of course, win on clay, but then win on hard again is something that, yeah, means a lot to me, especially here in New York. "Being honest, I always had a great connection with the crowd here. "The crowd bring me to another level of energy. "That's something that I enjoy." Rafael Nadal takes on David Ferrer in the first round of the US Open Rafael Nadal vs David Ferrer RECAP Rafael Nadal BEATS David Ferrer 6-3, 3-4 RETIRED Amazingly, that's it. David Ferrer has retired. He had been showing an injury but persevering on and now calls it quits. It seems the tank is empty for the 36-year-old. Nadal's through. It's not the way he would have wanted to proceed but round two awaits. Rafael Nadal 6-3 2-4 David Ferrer No, he can't. Nadal takes Ferrer to deuce but the 36-year-old holds on, despite appearing to be injured. Rafael Nadal 6-3 2-3 David Ferrer And Nadal is broke again. Can he bounce straight back this time? Rafael Nadal 6-3 2-2 David Ferrer Holds for each Spaniard keeps the second set on serve. Nadal might have preferred an easier first round tie than former world No 3 Ferrer. Rafael Nadal 6-3 1-1 David Ferrer Ferrer doesn't have the upper hand for long as defending champion Nadal breaks straight back. Rafael Nadal 6-3 0-1 David Ferrer Interesting. After cruising through the first set, Nadal goes 0-40 down in the opening game of the second and is duly broken. Rafael Nadal gained an early break in his US Open match with David Ferrer David Ferrer has never won a Grand Slam though reached the final of the 2013 French Open