ATP: David Ferrer on the Challenger Tour for the first time in 14 years

Back to the Roots: Former world third David Ferrer has won his first appearance on the ATP Challenger Tour in 14 years.

And the 36-year-old Spaniard did not defeat a stranger: Ferrer, only number 147 in the ATP ranking, prevailed 6-1, 6-3 against Thanasi Kokkinakis (Australia) at the start of the 150,000-dollar hard court tournament in Monterrey/Mexico.

It was the first time since 2004 in Boca Raton/Florida that Ferrer again took part in one of the Challenger Tour tournaments, which are part of the ATP Tour events.

The French Open finalist of 2013 had already announced before this year’s US Open that the Grand Slam event in New York in 2018 would be the last major of his career. In the coming season Ferrer only wants to play at a few selected ATP tournaments – and thus let his career end.

In Flushing Meadows Ferrer had to give up the first round match against his buddy Rafael Nadal at 3:6, 4:3 due to an injury on the left calf. It was his 208th match at a Grand Slam since 2003.

“David would have deserved a better ending. The tour loves him, he’s a very good guy, we’ll miss him,” Nadal said at the time. “Ultimate respect for road warrior”, Roger Federer tweeted about his former colleague Ferrer.