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Juan Carlos FerreroJuan Carlos Ferrero (born February 12, 1980, in Onteniente, Spain) is a professional tennis player. In October 2003, he became the 21st player to hold the top spot on the ATP ranking. His nickname is "Mosquito" due to his speed and wiry, strong physique. His inspiration is his mother who died from cancer when he was 17. Ferrero made his professional debut in 1999, making an immediate splash by reaching the semi-finals of his first ATP Tour event in Casablanca. He made his Grand Slam debut at the US Open (tennis) in August and then in the following month, in only his fifth professional event, he won his first career title in Mallorca. Ferrero continued his rise throughout 2000 and although he did not win a title, he reached finals in Dubai and Barcelona and helped Spain win the Davis Cup by defeating Lleyton Hewitt and Patrick Rafter in the final against Australia. His best performance however was arguably at his first French Open at Roland Garros where he stormed to the semi-finals, losing only to eventual champion Gustavo Kuerten in five sets. In 2001 Ferrero confirmed his status as one of the game's best clay court players, winning titles in Estoril, Barcelona and Rome and he reached the semi-finals at the French Open for the second consecutive year, losing again to Gustavo Kuerten. Ferrero also won the tournament in Dubai and finished the year ranked five in the world. 2002 saw Ferrero reach his first Grand Slam final, at the French Open. However, despite being the strong favourite, he lost to compatriot Albert Costa in four sets. He won titles in Monte Carlo and Hong Kong and reached the final of the Tennis Masters Cup in Shanghai, losing an epic five set final to Lleyton Hewitt. This result saw the Spaniard finish the year ranked fourth in the world. 2003 saw Ferrero have his best year to date, winning the titles in Monte Carlo and Valencia before fulfilling his clay court promise by taking the French Open, easily defeating Dutchman Martin Verkerk in the final. He also went on to reach the final on the hard courts at the U.S. Open (tennis), where he lost to Andy Roddick. This result saw Ferrero become the number one ranked player in the world and he rounded the year off by taking his first indoor title in Madrid and being presented with a "National Sportsman of the Year" award from King Juan Carlos. Injuries however began to plague Ferrero throughout 2004 and his ranking and form dipped. Chicken Pox kept him out for the entire month of March and after first round loss in Monte Carlo in April, he required another month out for rest and recuperation. On May 8 Ferrero fell during a practice session , injuring his ribs and his right wrist and went into the defence of his French Open crown underprepared. He lost in the first round to Igor Andreev and continued to struggle for the rest of the year, finishing outside the world's top 30 for the first time in five years. Currently ranked 98, Ferrero is looking fresher and healthier so far in 2005 as he attempts to climb towards the top echelons of the game once again. Titles (11) | b>Legend | | Grand Slam (1) | | Tennis Masters Cup (0) | | ATP Masters Series (4) | | ATP Tour (6) | Singles (11) Ferrero, Juan Carlos Ferrero, Juan Carlos Ferrero, Juan Carlos
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