David Ferrer honored with Davis Cup Award of Excellence
At the Davis Cup by Rakuten Madrid Finals, the International Tennis Hall of Fame (ITHF) and the International Tennis Federation (ITF) presented the 2019 Davis Cup Award of Excellence to three-time Davis Cup Champion David Ferrer. The award was presented by ITF President David Haggerty and International Tennis Hall of Fame representative Mark Woodforde, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2010.
The ITF and the ITHF annually present the Davis Cup Award of Excellence to a player who has shown great dedication to Davis Cup and who represents the ideals and spirit of the competition.
Ferrer, a former world No. 3 who retired from the ATP Tour earlier this year, was an integral part of the Spanish Davis Cup team for 12 years, competing in 20 ties during that time. He compiled a 28-5 win-loss record in Davis Cup, with all of his matches being singles matches. Overall, Ferrer is third for most Davis Cup singles victories by a Spanish player—behind only Spanish legends and Hall of Famers Manolo Santana and Manuel Orantes. Ferrer is one of eight men in Spanish Davis Cup history to have competed in 20 or more Davis Cup ties, and one of 10 Spanish men to have had a Davis Cup career spanning 10 or more seasons. In addition to his Davis Cup contributions, Ferrer was a member of the Spanish Olympic team three times.
Ferrer’s final Davis Cup match was in last year’s quarterfinal in Valencia, during which he defeated Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany in five sets in the decisive fifth match to send Spain into the semifinals.
Upon receiving the award, Ferrer stated, “I am honored to receive the 2019 Davis Cup Award of Excellence from the Hall of Fame and ITF. It has been a privilege to play for my country for 13 years, and I have so many special memories, particularly the two titles in Barcelona and Seville. I would like to thank the Spanish Tennis Federation and all my teammates for their support and friendship, and I hope I can encourage the next generation of Spanish Davis Cup players.”
“David Ferrer was a relentless competitor. His commitment to excellence motivated his teammates, competitors, and younger generations,” commented International Tennis Hall of Fame CEO Todd Martin. “There is no greater privilege and responsibility for an athlete than to represent one’s country, and David represented Spain with great honor throughout his remarkable career. David is the true embodiment of the Davis Cup spirit and a role model for all sportsmen. It is a pleasure to recognize his accomplished and inspiring career in Madrid with the Davis Cup Award of Excellence.”
Ferrer joins three Spanish countrymen as recipients of the Davis Cup Award of Excellence. Manolo Santana was honored in 2004, Manuel Orantes in 2009, and Emilio Sanchez in 2011. Additional past recipients of the annual honor have included Davis Cup legends such as Stan Smith of the United States, Guillermo Vilas of Argentina, and Neale Fraser of Australia.
