Ferrero always plays better when he faces the big names, that is the case throughout his career. Problem now, his best is not enough to beat the top players, so it seems. He had Federer at mp, he was superb in that against Marat in RG, he gave the biggest challenge to Federer at Wimbledon, he had Roddick on the rope last night. That all sounds great, but bottomline is that he lost in all those matches. And the difference between the top player and the rest of the field is, those top players close out big matches, something he used to be able to do too. Granted, he choked in lots of big matches even during his top days. Nevertheless, the consistency, the ability of playing at a constant high level through the entire match or entire tournament is what brings one to the top and that's how he can bring himself back. A better draw can only get him to a certain point (although I do wish for good draw every single time).
Besides, he needs to beat a top player to prove himself all over again. Because he is Ferrero, they don't give him any credit. When they mentioned he was number 1, most of the time they stressed that he was there just briefly, as if reaching number 1 is not much an achievement. Before the match began yesterday, Brad Gilbert told the world that Ferrero's 2004 was lost because he lost it (he mentioned the chicken pox, but then he quickly stressed that Ferrero lost match because he lost his passion
). My point is, we see 2004 is the year of misfortune, Gilbert suggested that it's Ferrero's fault because he lost the edge. JC don't deserve all these.
So I'm harsh on him now, I cannot bear to see him lose a match like the one last night. I want him to be back to what he was capable of before. He know he has it in him, we know he has it in him. That's why we or maybe just I expect more. I demand a good result in USO and failure is not an option.
That's my tough love.
p.s.
I would probably still "love" him even if he sucks as a tennis player from now on .
