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Dec/16

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How One Match Saved Ellis Ferreira’s Career

54 Comments · Posted by Scoop Malinowski in Bios

By Scoop Malinowski

One match. Ellis Ferreira was one match away from the end of his career.

It was summer of 1995 and Ferreira was 25 years old and struggling badly. He started the year off losing first round at four straight tournaments. Then a round of 16 at Memphis and a quarterfinal at Scottsdale. Then a final at Birmingham, Alabama, where he played college tennis.

After that brief success, it was back to losing. Two more first round losses in Atlanta and Hamburg. Then a second round in Rome. First round loss in Bologna. Round of 32 at Roland Garros. Then three straight first round losses at Queens, Wimbledon and Gstaad.

Ellis Ferreira tells the story two decades later. He was in Stuttgart for one last event. Ranked in the 80s in doubles and going nowhere fast, Ferreira had had enough of professional tennis in his second year on the Tour at age 25. Playing with Jan Siemerink in Stuttgart was going to be the last tournament of his career. Siemerink and Ferreira won their first round match against Florent/Eagle by a whisker, 36 63 64. But in the second round the opponents were the ATP number one team in the world, Eltingh and Haarhuis.

Ferreira didn’t expect to win and called his wife, a flight attendant with Delta Airlines, to say he would be coming home to Atlanta after they lost to the two Dutchmen. Ferreira was certain it was going to be the last match of his ATP career.

But a surprise twist of fate happened out of nowhere. Ferreira and Siemerink somehow managed to win the first set in a tiebreaker and astonishingly won the second set 6-2. All the sudden they were in the round of 16 and then they won again, beating Nijssen and Riglewski 76 62.

The Ferreira confidence tank was suddenly filling up fast. In the semis of Stuttgart, Ferreira and Siemerink defeated Jan Davids/Norval 63 62 and were into the final where they lost a thriller to Carbonnel and Roig 63 36 46.

Ferreira’s career was saved. He split $16,800 in prize money with Siemerink and gained 269 ATP points to up his ranking from 83 to 66.

After the Stuttgart Surprise, Ferreira continued to play winning tennis, reaching the quarterfinal of Cincinnati and the semis in Amsterdam and then a victory in Vienna against Woodforde/Woodbridge in the final. In 1995 Ferreira earned $79,756 but more importantly, he regained his confidence and belief that he could win on the ATP Tour.

And that he did in future years, later winning two Grand Slam major titles in doubles (2000 Australian Open with Rick Leach and 2001 Australian Open mixed with Corina Morariu) and even achieving the ATP number one ranking.

But none of that post 1995 success, including eighteen total ATP doubles titles and over a million dollars in prize money, would have been accomplished if Ferreira had lost that second round Stuttgart match to Eltingh/Haarhuis. If he lost that match, a very successful and memorable ATP career would have never happened.

So when you wonder why so many players keep hanging in there, keep believing and keep working hard despite all the odds being against them, just think of Ellis Ferreira and what was supposed to be his final ATP tournament in Stuttgart at the tender age of 25.

(Note: Today Ellis Ferreira is the tennis manager at Life Time Fitness Center in Birmingham Alabama.)

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54 comments

  • Coach skelly · December 18, 2016 at 8:35 pm

    #nicholasMonroe

  • Sean F. Lowery · December 18, 2016 at 8:35 pm

    I took a USTA team that I captained to Dave Marshall’s Tennis Academy in DE where Ellis was a guest instructor. We got 10 hours of instruction from Dave and Ellis and it made all the difference in our season, winning NJ Districts, Middle States Sectionals and losing 3-2 in the National Final…
    I would highly recommend taking any opportunity you may have to get on the court with Ellis.

  • Scoop Malinowski · December 19, 2016 at 8:09 am

    Sean: Very nice and congrats on your success -it is not easy to go to nationals that’s a heckuva an achievement – Yes Ellis is a tennis wizard genius and it was a special privilege just to be in his presence for a couple of hours and watching how he coaches and hearing his stories – to be no 1 in the world in singles or doubles is like winning the lottery twice in the same week – He truly was on the edge of the cliff regarding his career in Stuttgart but miraculously managed to produce magical tennis against the no 1 team in the world when it mattered most -it makes you wonder how many times players have been on the verge of quitting but decided to keep fighting – Bogomolov BBaker Capriati Estrella Burgos are just a few other examples of incredible perseverance like Ellis Ferreira – Welcome to the site and thanks for your comments –

  • Jg · December 19, 2016 at 8:30 am

    I used to hit with Dave Marshall a bunch, how’s he doing, I think he had a hip replacement.

  • Hartt · December 19, 2016 at 10:18 am

    What a terrific story! Thanks, Scoop.

  • Dan Markowitz · December 19, 2016 at 7:55 pm

    Nick Monroe is an admirable doubles player, but Coach Skelly, he’s not winning any ATP doubles slam titles. He is the true definition of a knock-around, journeyman player.

  • Scoop Malinowski · December 19, 2016 at 9:39 pm

    Henri Kontinen was a doubles scrub a few years ago and all the sudden this year he won WTFs in London with Peers – Peers too was also a scrub doubles player a few years ago – Nick can get hot and do it too –

  • Dan Markowitz · December 20, 2016 at 4:04 am

    I don’t know Scoop. Nick is 34 which for doubles players these days is kind of young, but the dude is only 5-10, 160. My impression of doubles players with the exception of Paes, who isn’t a top player anymore but he’s like 43, is that they’re usually bigger boys, but I guess you’re biofile of Treat Huey shows you you can have success not being so big.

    Nick played a few slams with DY this year and their best showing was their last at a slam, reaching the third round of the Open, losing to Busta and Lopez. I haven’t watched Monroe play a whole lot, he does play with Sock sometimes too. I know he’s talented, but I don’t think he’s talented enough or plays with the best partners to win a slam.

    Hey, Cal is trying out for the USTA feeder program tomorrow at Flushing Meadows with a coach by the name of Ilyar Khammadov. It’s been hard keeping Cal’s game up since the USTA banned him from playing 12’s tournaments, or any yellow ball events, until he turns 11 five months from now. It’s hard to get him good matches, but he did beat Chris Mayotte today in a set where Chris staked Cal a 30-0 love lead in each game.

    We’re going to be in Miami going to Canas’s camp in Aventura starting next Weds for four days.

  • Scoop Malinowski · December 20, 2016 at 8:09 am

    Soares Paes Peya Huey Lopez (marc) are all under six foot tall so height is not all that important for doubles Dan – It is entirely possible for Nick to hook up with the right partner and to get on a winning streak – I’d put the odds at less than 50-50 but we have seen so many shocking upset surprise results in singles and doubles that anything is possible for Nick – When the Bryan blow eight or nine match points in the Delray finals and in Indian Wells a few weeks later (earlier this year) it should remind you that anything is possible in ATP doubles – Will try to connect with you in miami next week –

  • Andrew Miller · December 20, 2016 at 1:11 pm

    Enjoyed this Scoop. That IS why players stay with the sport.

  • Dan Markowitz · December 20, 2016 at 1:33 pm

    Peya’s actually six feet tall. True what you say about their being smaller doubles players, but have you ever seen recently a team of two smaller players together? I can’t remember one. I think Solly and Dibbs were successful together, but that’s all I can think of.

  • jg · December 20, 2016 at 3:06 pm

    Canas had some great ground strokes, I saw him play DY in what must have been his last US Open in the old grandstand and he was absolutely killing the ball, but he lost to DY, but I had not seen anyone hit such a heavy ball.

  • Dan Markowitz · December 20, 2016 at 5:06 pm

    Canas is supposed to be at the academy the week we’re there and lessons are only supposed to be $80 so I’d love to take one with him and also see what he thinks of Ca’s strokes. Cal was playing Chris Mayotte last night and Chris teaches a freshman at Lehigh who’s no. 5 on the team there and he said Cal hits a heavier ball than this 18 year old. We’ll see.

  • Scoop Malinowski · December 20, 2016 at 7:11 pm

    $80 bucks for an hour with Canas – that’s a lot cheaper than Gilad Bloom 🙂 and Canas was the far more accomplished player – I have interviewed Canas about Hewitt and Federer and he gives you excellent insights always – One of the best interviews in tennis for sure – He will help Cal I really hope I can get down there – That’s quite incredible that Cal is outhitting a college player –

  • Andrew Miller · December 20, 2016 at 7:13 pm

    How bout Raonic Krajicek. Raonic signs on another slam winner. Id put Raonic odds now at best odds to win a slam in 2017. Krajicek made Sampras quake in his boots, and Im sure he will give Raonic insight into how his opponents see him and play up the Raonic winning matches in players heads as much as on court.

  • Scoop Malinowski · December 21, 2016 at 3:07 pm

    Krajicek won Wimbldon. Krajicek knows what it takes. Big serving Krajicek also was a similar player but he chipped the backhand and got to net more. Raonic will have a new dimension if Krajicek can educate him how to chip and get to net more.

  • Hartt · December 22, 2016 at 8:14 am

    I just watched a replay of the periscope view of Federer’s practice session. I rarely get to see a pro practice, just when Rogers Cup is on, so found this very interesting. Especially the drills Fed did before he started playing points with Lucas Pouille. Roger switched easily from English to French and kept a running commentary throughout. Hope they do it again. Since it got over 460,000 views, that seems like a real possibility! 🙂

  • Andrew Miller · December 22, 2016 at 9:13 am

    Praise for Rajeev Ram and Jon Wertheim, Sports Illustrated, piece in the Indianapolis Monthly. An outstanding profile that I encourage anyone to read who believes the US should work harder to support regional talent and might I add a silver medalist who I now believe deserves a davis cup call up by Coach Courier to shore up the Bryans

  • Andrew Miller · December 22, 2016 at 9:19 am

    Im so inspired by the Rajeev Ram piece that I say have Sock and Ram partner in Davis Cup and on tour. I guarantee they will bring a new look to dubs and provide the Bryans with the necessary in house competition for dubs either to keep their spot or get their groove back. It is undeniable that most atp players only begin caring about their legacy when they face competition from within their countries. Whether it is Harrison seeing Fritz and Tiafoe and Opelka charging at him or Federer being one upped by Wawrinka, this works. And Djokovic will face this too withe big junior from Serbia .

  • Andrew Miller · December 22, 2016 at 9:42 am

    Maybe Ivanovic faded when Jankovic faded? They are both like JC Ferrero in that they reached the top of the sport then tumbled then returned and now they are like the lovely yet, sorry to admit this, no longer threatening. Hantuchova. I had always hoped Hantuchova would rediscover her game but she was far more fragile physically and never able to recover when challenged at the critical junctures of matches. She had to be brave enough to take advantage or blow open a lead, but more often she imploded and her confidence would dissolve like an inflated balloon that wasnt tied properly

  • catherine bell · December 22, 2016 at 9:57 am

    Am I the only person getting fed up with features/pics of Federer and his clothing line, male modelling skills etc etc ? (not on this site I hasten to add.)
    I thought he was a tennis player, though now somewhat ageing 🙂

    Andrew – some players, male and female, have the good fortune and talent to shine brightly for a moment and then fall to earth.
    That’s the difference between the champions and the also rans. The je ne sais quoi.

  • Hartt · December 22, 2016 at 11:31 am

    Hallelujah! Was just out and it is O C or 32 F. (If you are old enough, Canadians are bilingual in temperatures.) So it was possible to be outside for longer than 10 minutes without danger of frostbite!

    With all this enforced time indoors have treated myself to watching old Edberg matches. He is still one of my tennis heroes. He was in his prime when I started to watch tennis seriously and I got to see him play live a few times. So he is special to me in the same way your first love is special.

    Andrew, had read the piece on Ram and agree it is essential reading.

    I don’t hold out much hope for Ivanovic getting near the top again. Think Catherine is right and would put Ana in the category of shone briefly.

  • Andrew Miller · December 22, 2016 at 7:52 pm

    Catherine, Hartt, when Ivanovic beat Hantuchova then lost, badly, to Sharapova in the Australian, she theb went on to win the 2008 (?) French. So she was like Muguruza. But Muguruza should take note, or Puente for that matter, as Ivanovic was rarely tge same level ever after! Her wobbly but powerful serve became morw wobbly and less powerful. She would be wholly inconsistent, winning a huge match then losing easier ones. In sun she fell to earth. She also saw Jankovic do the same fade to everyday veteran like JC Ferrero. But her game shouldnt have melted so easily.

    Maybe Ivanovic lost the desire.

    Hantuchova at least saw her doubles star stay even. She had a memorable run to her second Indian Wells title so many years after her first. But there was always the sense if you rattled Hantuchova she might turn on herself, and watch as the opponent became more confidant and Hantuchova saw leads slip away.

    I think Hantuchova will go down as a player with one of the wtas most smoothe games, even though ultimately she wasnt able to match the power and toughness of her counterparts from the same neck of the woods, regionally speaking. Still she stands alone when comparing her game to Pliskova, Kvitova, Ivanovic, Jankovic, Halep etc, Id argue she is textbook and maybe when it comes to tennis perfect strokes and a beautiful volley and game matter less than a thirst for competition and a huge asset like the big serve or fh.

    Though i think Pennetta proves that once and a while a player with an all around pretty game can grab a slam.

    Especially with the wta, who has the most textbook game of champs in the past few decades? Id say Henin had the combination of a beautiful game and unbridled competitive instincts. Perhaps Venus Williams in her last few years.

  • Andrew Miller · December 22, 2016 at 7:57 pm

    Ivanovic certainly gets pts for being a decent person. Her interviews always strike me as a player who answers questions immediately and thoughtfully. I guess she will be known for relentless optimism despite a wayward and unruly game! Wasnt she known as a practice a holic?
    Woe to Genie Bouchard and others that favor practice over match play. As Agassi once said he could do without practice but not without matches.

  • Andrew Miller · December 22, 2016 at 7:59 pm

    Catherine Federer must be bored silly. He has now tasted retirement and must be ready to play anyone to get out of the house.

  • Bryan · December 23, 2016 at 1:56 am

    A fine story, one that shows just how slim the margins between chasing the dream and becoming a desk jockey.

  • catherine bell · December 23, 2016 at 4:08 am

    Andrew – totally agree re Federer – O and now I can see Roger and Angie K in Strictly Come Dancing 🙂

    Re Henin – apparently she was Simona’s idol as a player. Wish we could see some of that competitive instinct and ‘beautiful game’ – but who knows ? Maybe they’re waiting in the wings and just need luring out on the stage 🙂

  • Hartt · December 23, 2016 at 6:32 am

    Stephanie Myles has 2 recent pieces on Eugenie Bouchard. There are links to them on her site, opencourt.ca. One is a Toronto Star article, “Eugenie Bouchard making peace with her coach and herself” and the other is an interview in French. In both Genie talks about taking a long break from tennis and related activities after severe burnout, reuniting with Hogstedt, dealing with her perfectionism, getting a full-time physical trainer after some time without anyone and preparing for the new season.

  • Hartt · December 23, 2016 at 6:37 am

    So many articles about Federer is almost funny. Just checking out the various sites and newspapers there are tons about Fed, and of course there is not much happening with him right now. As a Fed fan I will miss him when he retires but not nearly as much as the media! 🙂

  • Andrew Miller · December 23, 2016 at 7:43 am

    Hartt that was great stuff on Bouchard. Another reason i believe in her game, she truly is a street fighter. I still think.she could use more match play like doubles, pair herself with either a player she likes or a steady or even streaky vet. Or win a dubs slam with Pops or Sock. I like that she recruited her coach back at the airport. Very big of her.
    Another thing that is impressive to me is she has a sense of herself whether she is speaking to media or elsewhere that is refreshing. She is at once an unabashed consumer of pop culture and someone willing to say forget it Im playing the Olympics zika be darned, this is once in a lifetime etc, even for a pro tennis player who likely will get to another olympics.
    But as we know this sport is about where the rubber meets the road. Im still down on some of the lack of variety in Bouchard’s game. She is indeed a fighter and her unbridled aggresion is somthing to behold. But her angles aren’t what they could be and she needs a few key ways to finish off points rather than do the war by attrition thing that substitutes for tennis sometimes.

    In that regard she is a little like Ryan Harrison before he lost his Newport match this year. Harrison before Newport wasnt coherent. After Newport had seemed to have a purpose every match and worked his way into most of them. If Bouchard digs in like that, I dont see why she couldn’t rattle the top players on the wta and take care of business across the net in the early rounds.
    But her game does need a few new looks. If her head like tge interviews thats going to.happen,

  • Andrew Miller · December 23, 2016 at 7:46 am

    But we know this, if Halep or Giorgi had Kerber or Serena’s mental toughness they’d win slams. If Bouchard had a weapon of shots that Giorgi had and serena or Kerbers toughness SHED win slams.

  • Hartt · December 23, 2016 at 8:19 am

    Andrew, let’s hope Hogstedt can help Genie with some of the elements missing from her game. She does sound like she is ready to make a fresh start. Although she has said similar things before, somehow this time it is more believable. I have mixed feelings about Bouchard as a player but want any young, talented player to do her best so am hoping the new season is a solid one for her.

  • catherine bell · December 23, 2016 at 10:19 am

    Andrew –

    Kerber’s ‘mental toughness’ ? I think Angie’s done the very best with what she’s got – turned a slightly predictable game into something that got her to No 1. But she’s not the Rock of Gibralter emotionally – shows her disappointments keenly, with those frosty encounters at the net and that lopsided kind of smile when she’s beaten and the trophies are being handed out which means the tears are about to flow.
    So she can be vulnerable at decisive moments, facing defeat.

    Serena ? Yes, at her best her mental strength has won lots of matches for her. She believed she had a right to them. As a champion you have to believe that.

    Hartt – re Fed,it’s going to seem an awful anti-climax when he actually starts to play 🙂

    Bouchard – don’t know much about her but from what you say it seems she has developed quite a mature attitude which can only help. So I’ll follow with interest.

    And Andrew, yes,I have admiration for every single player who ignored the scare stories and went to Rio.

  • Hartt · December 23, 2016 at 11:14 am

    Oh no, Catherine, say it isn’t so! I have total faith in Fed! 🙂

    On a different topic. I am happily reading Melville’s “The Hand of Glass” and just got a notice that the other book of hers that I’d ordered from the library is in now. I should be reading the books for my 2 book clubs, but mysteries are much more fun. Feel like I am playing hooky.

  • Hartt · December 23, 2016 at 12:31 pm

    Given our comments about the media’s obsession with Federer, guess it should not be a surprise that tennis.com has his Wimby match against Cilic as their top match of the year. I did not see the match at the time, just watched the highlights now. It does look like a compelling match. For me, the WTF match with Andy over Milos was another great match, one they put at No. 5 on the list.

  • Scoop Malinowski · December 23, 2016 at 12:47 pm

    Ivanovic is in love – she married the German soccer hero Bastian Schweinsteiger I’m sure love has taken away a fraction or part of her hunger for tennis – She’s not the same player anymore but who knows next year could be different –

  • Scoop Malinowski · December 23, 2016 at 12:48 pm

    Andrew: Hantuchova is/was just not physically strong enough to be the best – great player excellent career though –

  • Scoop Malinowski · December 23, 2016 at 12:50 pm

    Thanks Bryan – the stories of players who come back from the dead are always interesting and inspiring – I would guess a lot of pro players have come close like Ellis Ferreira to quitting at some point in their tennis lives – all players have to overcome a lot of adversity and heartbreaking losses –

  • Scoop Malinowski · December 23, 2016 at 12:53 pm

    Bouchard is another player who should be a top contender for a major title victory this year especially with Kvitova’s absence – the door is now open for a lot of players to barge through – “Barge Through Bouchard” -how’s that for a nike slogan?:)

  • Scoop Malinowski · December 23, 2016 at 12:55 pm

    Federer might be bigger than tennis at this point 🙂 The tennis world has been starved of Federer for six months and it’s now a media Fed feeding frenzy 🙂

  • Scoop Malinowski · December 23, 2016 at 1:02 pm

    Bouchard needs a bit of Rios in her game – too one dimensional too predictable – She can win a big title without some Rios finesse and guile yes she can but if she can add another dimension of unpredictability the task becomes slightly easier – Not sure I like equating Bouchard to a “street fighter” – she plays more like a Terminator robot with a programmed mission of how to play – while a street fighter is more spontaneous and cunning and improvisational – Serena’s a street fighter so is Kerber and so is Sharalova – Bouchard needs to get down and dirty and summon her inner street fighter –

  • Scoop Malinowski · December 23, 2016 at 1:06 pm

    Hartt -where was Djokovic vs Del Potro in Rio at Olympics? That was my top match of the year – I also rate Fognini vs Gabashvili at US Open in the top five also – Fed vs Cilic as no 1 is overrated imp – Nishikori and Lamonf had two epic battles this year too which both went to 76 in the third –

  • catherine bell · December 23, 2016 at 1:57 pm

    Hartt –

    Hand of Glass is one I haven’t read. But Death in the Garden which I reread recently is good. And then you’ve got the rest of Charmian Daniels ones to go through, and then the Gwendoline Butlers. Should keep you going for a few years 🙂

    Scoop – we all hope Kvitova is back and fit before long since she’s a great character although a terribly frustrating player. Her best match of 2016 was probably the demolition of Simona H in Wuhan. She didn’t really challenge for the top spot – that’s the way she plays and she probably won’t change – but who knows ?

  • Hartt · December 23, 2016 at 2:46 pm

    Kvitova fans have to be a tough bunch, it is a major roller coaster ride. We fondly talk about Good Petra and Bad Petra, but my favourite is Scary Petra. When she is in the zone she is unbeatable. Unfortunately Bad Petra often appears and she cannot do anything.

    Scoop, Delpo vs. Novak was not on the list. They have Delpo def. Rafa in Rio at No. 6. There is a glitch on the tennis.com website right now and I could not find all the articles. The list has both ATP and WTA matches.

    In wandering around the internet I came across an ATP video on players training in Tampa. Jez Green, who is working with both Sascha and Mischa, talks about how hard the brothers are working. Sascha is putting on some muscle and seems super determined. So the tennis world should look out for the Zverev brothers in the coming season!

    Catherine, Hand of Glass was published in 1983 and the library copy has yellow pages, but I see she had already written 10 books by that time. Will order “Death in the Garden.”

  • Hartt · December 23, 2016 at 3:01 pm

    Rats, Death in the Garden is only at the Reference Library. Some day I will go down there and just spend the day reading. They have some out-of-print tennis books that I want to read as well, including one old one by Rod Laver.

  • Andrew Miller · December 23, 2016 at 5:11 pm

    I dont see Bouchard developing the Rios capability any time soon. I think players that do rarely keep it together mentally. Evert was consistent and boring, her arsenal was her mentaltoughness stamina etc.

    Thats why we praise rios as a supernova of talent and guys like Federer and Nadal who somehow absorbed a lot of Rios tricks into their game from the ether.

    But amazing players like that are nuts. They are Muster and Rios and McEnroe, nutty artists. Freaks of a kind.

    I dont see this mastery of angles, spins in any players on the wta! Giorgi doesnt strike me as mad as much as maddening to fandom for streakiness. Giorgi is the DY.of the womens tour. Brilliant when on. Distressing when off.

  • Scoop Malinowski · December 23, 2016 at 5:49 pm

    Kvitova is the scariest player to play because she can annihilate very good players on her best days – She’s a top star of the WTA – her absence hurts the WTAs product –

  • Scoop Malinowski · December 23, 2016 at 5:50 pm

    Hartt: Djokovic vs Delpo has to be on that list – both players cried on the court when it was over – it was a very special clash of tennis titans –

  • Scoop Malinowski · December 23, 2016 at 5:54 pm

    Bouchard can Riosify her arsenal – practice serve and volley / practice drop shots / practice changing speeds and spins / practice Fed’s saber / practice different things instead of just baseline bashing every day – practice forehand slices for an hour every day like I saw Arnaud Clement doing once in Washington DC / practice backhand slices for two hours every day / practice lobs – Bouchard can Riosify her arsenal – Like Rafa said you always have to keep improving –

  • Hartt · December 23, 2016 at 7:02 pm

    Tennis.com has Delpo for 2 matches, Rio vs. Rafa and at No. 3 Delpo def. Cilic in Davis Cup. But no Delpo vs. Novak. Rafa is the only other ATP player who shows up twice, with Pouille def. Rafa at USO.

    Interestingly, the No. 2 match is Cibulkova def. Radwanska at Wimby.

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