Former World No. 3 David Ferrer has said that 19-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer’s stunning return from a six-month injury layoff has surprised him as he didn’t expect the great Swiss to accomplish such success at the age of 36.
Ferrer, a former French Open runner-up to his compatriot Rafael Nadal in 2013, also revealed that he was a little upset with himself because he could have played that Roland Garros final a bit differently. If he would have employed a different strategy in that contest, then he could have probably made things somewhat harder for Nadal.
“No. I don’t think in terms of revenge, but that it was my first Major final. I had played some Major semi-finals with Rafa, but a final changes everything, it’s different. And maybe I could have faced it a little bit more prepared or with more ambition. I can’t say you exactly, but I thought about many things and I didn’t play as I did for the whole tournament.”
Ferrer was asked which season he thought was his best and he has this to say: “Maybe 2012, where I won seven events, but I believe also 2013 where I could have ended as no. 3 and have much success as well, but in 2012 I was at my best physically and in terms of tennis.‘
The Spaniard commented on Roger Federer’s phenomenal comeback from injury: “I think that at 31 you are young. My best moment was when I was 32, 33, 31 and 30. Federer playing at 36 at this level surprises me, but if someone could do it, it is him.”
