As great as it is to sit back and watch Rafael Nadal display his clay court brilliance again you have to feel sorry for David Ferrer. While Rafa was busy claiming his seventh Barcelona title and becoming the only player to ever win two tournaments seven or more times, David was suffering his fourth defeat in Barcelona at the hands of his friend.
David pushed Rafa for almost three hours but ultimately Nadal secured the title 7-6, 7-5.
Ferrer, it seems, is destined to always be the bridesmaid and never gain a major title despite the fact that he undeniably deserves one for years of consistently grinding the best in the game to within an inch of cramps.
Even Nadal was sympathetic to David’s heartache.
“It’s almost unimaginable to win here seven times. It’s a special tournament for me, at home in my club. To win at home in front of the people you know is always more special. I played at a very high level to win in Monte Carlo and now Barcelona without losing a set, but I’ve been playing at a high level from the beginning of the year starting in Australia.
The emotions are always high, but probably each year they get a bit higher as you are one year older and you don’t know how many chances you are going to have left.
It was a very equal match. He didn’t let me play my best level in the first set. I feel sorry for David and hope he can win here one day because he deserves it. Of course I am very happy to win two titles in a row and to start the clay court season like this.”
