On Thursday, eleven-time champion Rafael Nadal will face his good friend and retiring star David Ferrer in the third round of the Barcelona Open.
Date: April 25, 2018
Match time: Around 3 PM local time / 9 AM EDT – New York, Montreal / 2 PM BST – United Kingdom / 3 PM CEST – Spain, France, Germany, Italy / 11 PM AEST – Melbourne. To convert to your local time, use this website.
Rafa holds a 25-6 lead over Ferrer.
Ferrer won their first ever meeting in Stuttgart in 2004 but Rafa has gone on to dominate their matches. Their last meeting was in 2018 at the US Open – Ferrer retired with our champ leading 6-3, 3-4.
Rafa is looking forward to what could be a final meeting against the 37-year-old:
He’s a good friend, one of the best players that we have been watching the last 15 years. It’s going to be a special one, and he’s playing well.
David Ferrer:
Of course it is going to be very special to play with Rafa. He’s a very good friend, one of the very best tennis players in the history [of the sport]. And tomorrow I have the chance to play with Rafa which is a gift so I hope I will play a good match and enjoy every moment that we play.
VAMOS RAFA!
Rafa looked like a man with the world on his shoulders out there today against Mayer. Even in his on court interview, it seemed as if he was just going through the motions. I miss the fire and intensity he usually brings to the court and i just hope that there isn’t another injury lurking somewhere.
That said, I know Rafa will try his very best to put on a good show against his good friend Daveed, who deserves nothing less. Love Daveed but love Rafa more. Good luck champ.
All the best for the match. ENJOY IT. Vamos Rafa <3
I think this is going to be a tough match! Daveed can still play well for a match or three and Rafa may be emotional on court for once. Well, Ferru said he wanted to go out this way at Madrid. He’s getting his wish a bit early and he will leave it all out there.