Status: Former ATP no. 1 and French Open champion. (This interview was done in 2000 at US Open.)
Ht: 6-1 Wt: 160
DOB: Feb, 12, 1980 In: Onteniente, Spain
Childhood Sports Heroes: Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi. I think Pete Sampras is the best in the world. I like the matches with Andre Agassi. (Have they been friendly do you?) No, not so much [laughs].
Nickname: Mosquito.
Musical Tastes: Pop rock, all of it, doesn’t matter.
Hobbies/Interests: I like to listen to music, watch the television, to drive my car, stay with my friends or my family, collect motor bikes and cars.
Current Car: 2000 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 6. Like Tommy McKinnon’s from Rally.
Early Tennis Memory: Maybe when I played with my father in the fog with a wood racquet.
Greatest Sports Moment: The last year when I won Mallorca for sure. And this year when I played for the first time Davis Cup. And this year also the final Dubai (lost to Kiefer). And I think semifinals at Roland Garros. And we’re still in the finals in Davis Cup and I think a good chance for us to win first time (Spain did beat Australia 3-1 in the final, Ferrero beat Rafter and Hewitt in singles). I think it’s a good moment now, I’m 12th in the world. 20 years old. I think it’s perfect for me now, my tennis and my life. I think it’s a good moment for my life.
Most Painful Moment: Maybe when my mom (Rosario) is dead three years ago. I think it’s my worst moment. Because what can I do with my life when my mom is dead?
Favorite Meal: Meat with french fries.
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Vanilla.
Favorite Breakfast: Some eggs with toast.
Funny Tennis Memory: Maybe when the last year when I come to New York, seeing the city. Because I like so much the city.
Funniest Players Encountered: Corretja, Vicente and I think all the Spanish players.
Closest Tennis Friends: Yes I think all the Spanish players and the Argentine Spanish players.
Pre-Match Feeling: I say, I’m gonna play now. I have to play normally, have to play good to win. I need to stay positive for the match. I feel good always before the match. I’m playing good now and I feel so good.
Favorite Athletes To Watch: Soccer. Golf. I like to see boxing. Auto racing – Tommy McKinnon I like so much. He’s driving so incredible right now. Mike Tyson – the most spectacular. I like to see him now so much because it’s crazy now in the boxing.
I updated the Biofile with Juan Carlos Ferrero at US Open in 2006…
Greatest Career Moment: The greatest…when I was no. 1 (Sept. 2003). And when we won Davis Cup in 2000.
Most Painful Moment: When I went until 96 in the ranking maybe.
Embarrassing Tennis Memory: Maybe these two years when I was working too hard and I didn’t go up as quickly as I want.
Closest Tennis Friends: All the Spanish guys. I’m friends with everybody but most closer of course to Spanish.
Funniest Players: It’s difficult to say.
Toughest Competitors: A lot.
Favorite Tournaments: Roland Garros. Australian. Some small tournaments like Bstaad, Umag, of course Valencia is my hometown.
Ferrero won 15 ATP career singles titles and four Masters Series titles. He retired from pro tennis at the Valencia Open in 2012 but returned and played doubles in 2017 with Pablo Carrena Busta at Barcelona but they lost in the first round.
Juan Carlos Ferrero · Prince racquets · Spain
