Ferrer: "My toughest moment as a coach was the defeat in Malaga against the Netherlands"

Carlos Navarro | 18 Nov 2025 | 21.00

David Ferrer, interviewed by Carlos Navarro in Bologna. Source: Puntodebreak

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David Ferrer (Jávea, Alicante, April 2, 1982) never loses his serenity. His presence is magnetic, exuding calmness and conviction, and he envelops his players in a way that makes questioning his leadership impossible. It has not been easy hours for the national selector: their world number one and key player for success in Bologna, Carlos Alcaraz, decided in a short period that the injury he sustained in Turin will prevent him from representing the national team, a tough blow that still seems to be sinking in.

However, as the conversation progresses, David Ferrer believes. He believes because he has at his disposal a group of warriors who have blind faith in his command, because Spain has just turned around an almost impossible tie against Denmark, and because in these 2025 Davis Cup Finals, everything seems extremely even. Carlos may be absent, but so are Sinner or Musetti... and the team has hidden assets in key aspects, like the return of a Marcel Granollers with two Grand Slams under his belt this season in the doubles circuit.

Despite the controversy surrounding the absence of Alejandro Davidovich and Carlos' last-minute withdrawal, Ferrer emphasizes the soul of a team that bonds from the locker room, rekindling the spirit of the traditional Davis Cup (where supposed underdogs turned into giants) and facing one of their most challenging tasks since he took on the captaincy. A challenge, the Czech Republic of Lehecka and Mensik, and a dream: to lift, despite the supposed pessimism of the fans, a new Davis Cup. There is no one better than him, in an interview for Puntodebreak from Bologna, to delve into a scenario of vindication and a strong desire to win.

CN: David, I get the feeling that at the press conference, you went from down to up, ending more upbeat each time. Alcaraz's absence, I understand, was a significant blow, but how has your mindset and spirits changed from last night until now, at this moment?

DF: It has changed. It has changed, obviously. Yesterday was a tough day. Carlos came, and initially we thought he would be able to play, then after the MRI and talking to the doctor, Ángel Cotorro, he told me it wouldn't be easy. We are talking about a crucial player, the world number one, someone who I knew, in a way, we needed to win the Davis Cup... and he can't be with us. It was tough, but this morning was different. I've always believed that I handle these kinds of issues well: as hours pass, you see what solutions you can come up with. Additionally, I see my players training very well. They are very, very excited, which gives me confidence because with this format, everything becomes more level. I trust, I trust, I trust. Today I trust, tomorrow more, and on Thursday, I will be very motivated (smiles). My character is and will remain like this.

I won't speak of 24 hours because maybe that's too much, but the last twelve or eleven. Have they been your toughest moments as a coach? Or would you say there have been worse moments, for instance, being 0-2 down against Denmark?

No, I wouldn't say these are the toughest because, after all, we are in the Finals. Look, I remember in my debut as coach, we lost (laughs) two ties, six-zero, all matches. It was tough, moreover, at home. And I recall the one in Marbella, which ended well, but it was tough, the beginning was quite tough. However, I would say Malaga, when we lost against the Netherlands in Rafa's farewell, because it's Rafa, and I have a very special affection for him: for me, perhaps, that was the toughest.

You would pick Malaga, right?

Yes. Malaga.

You mentioned how everything evens out in this Davis Cup. That's the feeling: Zverev is the best by ranking, but doesn't offer as much security; Lehecka and Mensik form a great pair, but come with certain physical issues... Do you also have that feeling that anything can happen, that there isn't a clear favorite to win the Davis Cup this year?

Yes, because Italy, by missing both Musetti and Jannik Sinner, levels the playing field, right? If they had been in perfect condition or both Carlos and Alex had been available, we would have had a comparable situation to Italy in Spain. And now, well, I think everyone has a very good singles player, maybe the doubles not so much, and we have players who form a good double's pair, to face that point, while we have both Jaume and Pablo, who will compete in the singles and have their chances.

You are now facing, as a captain, a guy named Tomas Berdych, against whom you surely played, or at least I consider and remember, one of the best matches I've seen you play, in that Davis Cup final in Prague where you defeated him. How has David Ferrer changed, and how do you think Tomas Berdych has changed, and what memories do you have of that match?

I have a very good memory of that match. Nice because that year was perhaps the best year of my tennis career, and I played at a very high level. Then, it's not such a nice memory because we lost that Davis Cup final, but I try not to dwell on it too much. We have changed, for sure... well, I don't know about Tomas (smiles), I do talk to him, but I don't know much about his private life. Obviously, as you get older, you tend to relativize everything much more, you are more mature than in those days. It's a stage of life that you remember with fondness in a way, but the truth is, I'm not someone who dwells much on the past; I prefer to live in the present and the future. When you reminded me of it, the memory that came to me was nice, but it's not something I think about.

Let's talk, then, about the present... and the future. How much motivation and spirit does David Ferrer have left as the leader of this human Davis Cup team?

(laughs) Good question. Look, any work I do... if I do it, it's because I am motivated and excited: as of today, I fulfill both, I am motivated and excited. From there, well...

We'll see, right?

We'll see, because, well, as I said, it's present and future... and at this moment, I prefer to think about the present.

Jiri Lehecka and Jakub Mensik, two threats for this tie. How do you analyze them? What strengths do they have, and how have you specifically prepared for this tie, I imagine, to face both of them?

Starting with Lehecka, he is a player who had a peculiar year end. He also had an injury for a good part of last year.. but he is a player who, in my opinion, is a top-20 player easily, and someone with the potential to reach the top-10. Without a doubt. He is very Czech, Czech players always tend to play at a similar speed, very flat, they are indoor players. Additionally, he is mentally strong. He's someone you have to compete with and beat. I believe it plays in our favor that towards the end of the year, he came with less confidence, winning fewer matches.

Mensik is a young player who, for me, will be in the top-10. He's a player who will be up there. This year he has already won Miami, won a Masters 1000; it's also true that he has had more injuries, knee problems, but he is someone who serves exceptionally well... we'll see how he handles it, right? I haven't seen Mensik play anything like the pressure of Finals yet. In case our player is Pablo Carreño, I believe we can have our chances there.

After all that has happened, Alcaraz's absence, which has overshadowed everything... is there more pressure or a sense that it's time to make a statement?

No, there is a desire to... compete and do well. We want to win. I don't mind that... well, I do mind that Carlos isn't here because I need Carlos, but geez, I don't know, I...

It's true that a different atmosphere is created, saying: let's go for it, let's show that this group, which already achieved something incredible in Marbella, can also do it here.

Yes. I genuinely believe they can because there is a good team spirit and good things can happen. When I was a player, I believed in myself many times, and in that aspect, I still think the same. I always see that point where I feel we can catch them...

And it's a group that is eager to compete for Spain, that enthusiasm typical of this competition, reminiscent of the traditional Davis Cup.

Yes, yes. They also compete very well. If I analyze it, look: I think Jaume already knows and has shed the pressure of being here because he had it in Marbella. He's left it behind a bit, and I think he is coming in differently. Pedro always competes well in team events, he's a great player. In that sense, and with all due respect, he reminds me of Feli. And Marcel, what I've mentioned in the press conference is true, I consider that he is a different player from last year. He's a player with much more experience and more self-confidence. You just have to see him in the doubles practice, the way he takes on the responsibility so confidently...

Do you think he has taken on the role of team leader?

Yes, now he has. It's something I haven't discussed with him, which I want to talk to him about, but yes, right now, I see him in the role of a leader.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Ferrer: "Mi momento más duro como seleccionador fue la derrota en Málaga ante Países Bajos"

David Ferrer