The first tribute to David Ferrer at the 2019 Mutua Madrid Open, his last tournament as a professional, took place on Sunday morning in the Manolo Santana Stadium. The ex-world no. 3 visited the Caja Mágica’s centre court for a group photo with some of his colleagues from the ATP Tour, including Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Juan Martín del Potro, Kei Nishikori, Marin Cilic and Fernando Verdasco. The event was also attended by Feliciano López, the Tournament Director, and Manolo Santana, the Honorary President.

The Alicante native will say his farewell after playing his home tournament, where his campaign will begin on Tuesday 7 May. He faces Roberto Bautista in the first round. After 16 appearances in the competition (his best results coming in 2010 and 2014, when he reached the semi-finals), the player from Javea will hang up his racquet in front of his own people and with his faithful fans cheering him on.

In his wake he will leave 29 ATP titles (27 in singles and two in doubles) and three Davis Cups (2008, 2009 and 2011). He also played two Australian Open semi-finals (2011 and 2013), one French Open final (2013), two Wimbledon quarter-finals (2012 and 2013) and two US Open semi-finals (2007 and 2012). This stunning career will be capped off with a worthy epilogue in Madrid.