Big week in Equelite!

It´s gonna be such an intense week for the JCFerrero-Equelite Sport Academy players. While Nicolás Almagro and TIta Torró are facing up their first Grand Slam of the year at the Australian Open, Mayar Sherif is travelling to his natal Egypt to take part in the ITF 10000$ Sharm El Sheikh, and Álvaro Verdú and Jahana Bayramova were in Abu Dhabi to play in the 12th Junior Abu Dhabi.

Tribute for a champion JC Ferrero.

 Juan Carlos Ferrero will live on Wednesday a very special day, after his doubles match, he will receive a tribute for such an amazing career. A lot of friends will be there: Rafa Nadal, Alex Corretja, Carlos Moya, Albert Costa, Sergio Garcia or Sete Gibernau are some them.

The match before the tribute will be special as well because it is the first time he play doubles with his friend David Ferrer. Once the match ends, the crowd will say “thanks and see you soon” to Ferrero. The Spaniard doesn’t know what will happen there.


Everyone with a ticket could be at the tribute, the tickets permits the entrance to the Agora Stadium for the whole session, tribute included.

We are going to miss you JC Ferrero

             

Juan Carlos Ferrero fought hard but Nicolas Almagro won 7-5, 6-3


The Agora was the place where Juan Carlos Ferrero played his last individual match. He did his best but Nicolas Almagro who is trying to get a place for the Masters Cup in London, was too much. The score, 7-5, 6-3 shows the match was not easy for “Nico”.

“It has been a very nice day” said Ferrero after the match. On court, Ferrero felt “the love of the crowd”. During the press conference, he announced that “maybe I will play some doubles tournament, just to have fun”. Regarding his opponent, Ferrero was honored to be defeated by a friend.

Talking about the highlights of his career, he pointed the first Davis Cup title, the victory in Roland Garros and the moment when he became number one. His coach, Antonio Martinez Cascales added the world championship when he was 14 and the first title after a serious injury.

When Almagro won, it was clear that this was not a normal match. Ferrero started to cry but with a smile in his face. When he was ready he said some words to the crowd. “He said just a few words but they came from the heart” claimed Almagro.

At the press conference Almagro added "this was the bitterest victory of my career” and in his opinion Ferrero is still a high class, “after this match, I will keep on playing but I respect his decision”

On second round Almagro will face Sam Querrey, they have played four times, last one during the David Cup semifinal.

Let the show begin!

A large list of tennis players were today at the “Media Day”, the traditional informal meeting for press and players. Juan Carlos Ferrero, David Ferrer, Tommy Robredo, Milos Raonic, John Isner, Lleyton Hewitt, Feliciano López, Albert Ramos, Fernando Verdasco, Philipp Kohlschreiber and Marcel Granollers were together for a photo session. After the photo, Juan Carlos Ferrero explained his feelings before this special tournament, “I feel nervous” said Ferrero but “I wanna live the moment” and “do my best” on the court.

Juan Carlos Ferrero will face Nicolás Almagro on the first round. “It will be a very special match” pointed the former world number one. Ferrero will live “his” moment on Wednesday, after the doubles match with his friend David Ferrer; Valencia Open 500 and ATP are organizing a tribute but “I don’t know very much about what will happen” revealed Juan Carlos.

Valencia Open 500 is a very special tournament for the Spaniard, at home, with all his family and friends… at the end of the season… A special event for him but also for all the Spanish tennis players.

Regarding his future, he likes to be coach and he would be happy to be capitan of the Spanish Davis Cup team.

Marcel Granollers, last Valencia Open 500 champion, declares he admires Juan Carlos “I grow up watching all the big Ferrero’s triumphs and it’s so sad to say goodbye”. Because “he is one of my favorite players”.."

David Ferrer, his best year

1 Top Seed of the tournament, David Ferrer, is ready to show his best tennis in Valencia. Regarding his colleague and friend, Juan Carlos Ferrero, Ferrer says "he is one of the best Spanish players in history." The number 5 ranking considers 2012 “my best year” and he want to play at home and give his best on court “there’s always preassure when you play at home… for your people”. The tournament will not be easy for him; the draw is full of great competitors in his opinion.

Valencia Open 500 will have the Hawk Eye for the first time and David thinks a tournament as big as Valencia “must have it”.

This event is just the beginning, today Marin Cilic will face Martin Klizan it is the first match of the first round. Marin Cilic will show his tennis after his good scores on the last tournaments, quarterfinals on US Open, Shanghai and Cincinnati.

Order of play: Tuesday 23rd

The order of play for Tuesday 23rd will be announced during Monday evening but, probably, David Ferrer will play his first round match on the second turn at the Agora (15:00pm approx.) and after this match, Juan Carlos Ferrero will face Nicolás Almagro (17:00pm approx.).

Madrid Open with blue clay

Making blue clay
Ion Tiriac, a consultant to the tournament, has said that the cost of making a blue clay court is almost double that of making a red clay court. The process is essentially the same as producing a red clay court, with the dyed bricks ground into fragments. Two layers are then spread over the court.
On the official website: “It’s important to take into account that we can never directly dye the original red bricks blue as we would never achieve the desired colour as the base of the red brick off a different effect. For that reason, the iron oxide needs to be removed at the start of the process. Another interesting point is that if we put one hand in a bag of red clay and another in one containing blue clay we would see that the red clay would leave a stronger stain.”

DAVIS CUP: Spain 4:1Austria

OROPESA DEL MAR, SPAIN: Spain came to Marina d’Or as the overwhelming favourite to win their Davis Cup by BNP Paribas World Group quarterfinal tie against Austria and they didn’t disappoint.


The doubles was a different story, however, and Alexander Peya and Oliver Marach really used Saturday’s rain break to their advantage. A set down when the heavens opened, the Austrian duo used their time wisely, reassessing their tactics and playing style and returned to the court to duly turn the match around.
Perhaps the experience of playing together more regularly on the Tour, a partnership which has seen them claim two ATP titles including at Auckland earlier this year, gave them the edge against Marcel Granollers and Marc Lopez.

ATP Fantasy Game

Registrate: http://challenge.atpworldtour.com/ and join our group FERRERO-EQUELITE. 

This is a game where the players have to fill out the draw of all the Open 1000 and, depending on the round and the match, you can get more or less points.

At the end of the first 5 Open 1000, after Rome, and at the end of the 11th, at Paris, the first ranked will get a full equipment of Juan Carlos Ferrero or a personalized racquet of Nico Almagro which will be sent free to the winner!!!

Almagro Retains Brasil Open 2012 Crown

World No. 11 Nicolas Almagro defeated Filippo Volandri 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 in Sao Paulo Sunday to repeat as champion at the Brasil Open 2012. "This was not my best match here in Brazil, as I was tense and nervous," admitted Almagro. "But once again, I had control of my emotions, which is what I have always demanded, controlling the important moments. I think it's good to win a tournament and be able to think that I can still play a little better."

The top seed fired 18 aces, winning 88 per cent of his first serve points.  On his first match point, Almagro converted his fourth break of serve against the Italian to clinch the crown in two hours and two minutes. The Spaniard improved to a 7-3 record against Volandri, winning his fifth match in a row over the 30 year old. "I am happy. I am on a cloud, winning a tournament three times, and twice in a row," said Almagro. "It's hard. I got here and all I want is to continue working to keep improving in my career."

Almagro is the first wild card to win an ATP World Tour event since American Ryan Sweeting captured the US Men's Clay Court Championship trophy in Houston last year. All 11 of Almagro’s career titles have come on clay courts, and the victory marked his third triumph at the ATP World Tour 250 event, with successes in 2011 and 2008. When asked to select which one of the three stood out, Almagro said, "It is a hard question. I think all titles are equally important in your career. In 2008, it was an amazing tournament. I managed to beat Carlos Moya in a tough final. Then last year, it was the beginning of a run that I really could not have dreamed. I won in Brazil, I won Buenos Aires, and I was very close to winning Acapulco.
"It is always difficult to win two years in a row and this year was just as hard, because it was my third crown. Every title has a great place in my heart and is very difficult to choose one. I take all three and I hope that next year will be four."
Volandri was looking to end a title drought dating back to his win in Palmero six years ago. "I think I played another very good match today," said Volandri. "I tried my best and fought a lot. I think in the third set, I was playing better than him but he was serving unbelievable.
"This result is more than what I was expecting this week. It gives me a lot of confidence to keep on pushing through. If I am consistent, I can play with all the players, especially on clay."

Davis Cup 2012: Spain -Austria in April

The defending champions’ next assignment will be a home tie against Austria in April 06-April 08.

Captain Corretja knows that it will be a very different proposition given the strength of Austria’s singles players, but has been encouraged by his team’s attitude this week, not to mention the number and variety of players he is able to call upon.

“There is only one team, we only have one team, but we have different players,” Corretja said. “We just use one team, and of course you need to pick players dependent on the surfaces, on the opponent, and that’s the only thing we play for, we don’t care about the other stuff, we just focus on our tennis.”

“It’s great to play home, of course, but lots of respect to Austria, they did great today, congratulate them, because it’s been a fantastic weekend for them as well, they had Russia at home which wasn’t easy, so it’s going to be interesting for us,” Corretja said.

Happy Birthday, Samuel!!!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SAMUEL!!!!

ALL OUR BEST TO YOU! We wish you to be strong and healthy, and all the rest you can make it! Love and be loved! No worries, be happy! Tennis with you!

Samuel Lopez is our Technical Director and friend. He helps us everytime with training. He believes in us. For him all players are very important. He thinks about all of us. We want to say thanks for his prof coaching. And we are so happy that u continue to work with us. And thanks for everything (that you created this academy with Toni). And we try our best, SAMUEL!

Tomas Berdych Won't Shake Nicolas Almagro's Hand (Australian Open 2012)

No. 7 seed, Tomas Berdych  faced a tough Nicloas Almagro who is very solid from the baseline.

Nicolas Almagro started the year on a high with a good performance at the Chennai Open. He then lost in the quarter-finals at Heineken Open. His Australian Open campaign has been a bumpy one with one four set and one five set match already in his bag. He would be focusing on this match like he did in his previous one where he beat Stanislas Wawrinka in straight sets. A victory over Berdych would do him no harm as he send a strong message to his next opponent.

This will be their seventh meeting with the Czech leading 4-2.

Despite winning, Berdych refused to shake Almagro's hand after the match. At 5-5, 0-30, Almagro had drilled Berdych in the shoulder with a forehand as Berdych stood almost right on top of the net. The Spaniard tried to apologize but Berdych would have none of it. As a result, the Czech was booed ferociously by the crowd throughout his post-match interview.