David Ferrer's terrific 2012 season continued today with a win in Bastad, Sweden at the SkiStar Swedish Open. Ferrer beat Nicolas Almagro in an all-Spanish final. The triumph was the fifth title for Ferrer in 2012. Almagro probably doesn't want to see Ferrer across the net any time soon. Ferrer is now 11-0 in his career against Almagro. Ferrer also beat Almagro for the title in Buenos Aires earlier this year.
Ferrer has impressively won on clay, hard courts and grass this year. His win last month at s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands, was his first career title on grass. In addition to his five titles, Ferrer also made the final in Barcelona, where he lost to another Spaniard, Rafael Nadal. Ferrer made his first semifinal at the French Open (another loss to Nadal) and lost in the quarterfinals at Wimbledon to eventual runner-up Andy Murray.
At 30, Ferrer is making a push to get the absolute maximum from his career. He has now won 16 titles and just short of $15 million in prize money since 2000, the year he turned pro. Ferrer is now ranked #5 in the world, just a spot lower than the career high ranking of #4 he reached several times in 2008.
Ferrer's title is just the latest victory for Spanish players. There are currently three Spaniards in the top ten of the world rankings, and if you add Fernando Verdasco, Marcel Granollers and Feliciano Lopez, Spain can boast a whopping six players ranked in the top 30.
Nadal, Ferrer and Almagro have all won titles this year. Ferrer beat Verdasco for the title in Acapulco. Playing with countryman David Marrero, Verdasco has won three times in doubles this year, including yesterday in Umag. Granollers and yet another Spaniard, Marc Lopez, won the doubles title at the ATP Masters 1000 Rome in May.
Spain should certainly figure in the medal count at the upcoming London Olympic Games. Rafael Nadal is the defending champion in singles. Whether it's in singles, doubles, or the new medal sport of mixed doubles, look for other Spanish players to find a spot on the podium as well.
Brad Boeker has been a fan of professional tennis for over 30 years. He coaches high school tennis in Illinois.
