Ferrero lauds Spanish system

Former World No 1 Juan Carlos Ferrero was part of the side that sparked Spain's domination in Davis Cup. At the peak of his career, Ferrero was the star of their maiden Davis Cup triumph in 2000. It set the ball rolling with Spain capturing five titles and two-runner-up finishes with their battery of world class players. Ferrero attributed Spain’s success to a proper system in the country.

“The reason Spain has come up is because it has a system in place. We have a lot of Futures tournaments which will help you to play for ATP points. We have a lot of good coaches and good facilities. The weather is good to practice throughout the year. All put together, it gives you the opportunity to make a good career in tennis,” Ferrero told Deccan Herald.

On winning just one Grand Slam despite oodles of talent, Ferrero said: “I would have obviously liked to win more titles (Grand Slams). But I never dreamt of achieving what I did in my career. I won a Davis Cup for my country, a French Open, then reached the final of the US Open same year, where Andy Roddick played a very good match and then I became World No 1. So I have no complaints,” smiled Ferrero, who now runs a tennis academy besides being the co-owner of the Valencia Open, an ATP 500 event.

After Ferrero, the likes of David Ferrer, Rafael Nadal, Fernando Verdasco and Feliciano Lopez took Spain to new heights. But Ferrero said it would be difficult for Spain to continue with their domination. “In the last 20 years, Spain has had three World No 1 players in Rafa (Nadal), (Carlos) Moya and me. The bar will be very high for the youngsters because people in Spain are now used to very high level of players. If some player is in top 20-25 in world, he would not be considered important,” he said.

“We have had players like Rafa, Ferrer, Verdasco, Feliciano in the last decade or so. Where will you get such a team again?"

Currently in India for Champions Tennis League, Ferrero, who is playing for the Delhi Dreams owned by Sanjeev Kassal, believed the tournament would help the Indian players. “When I was a youngster, I would always learn from a professional player, how to train etc. I tried to copy them. I used to idolise Agassi and copy his style. Indian players can watch high quality players in action and also pick up things.”