SPORTS

Ferrero eyes Olympic medal

December 23, 2003 12:19 IST

World number three Juan Carlos Ferrero says he wants to play in the Olympic Games next year, unlike his Australian Davis Cup conqueror Lleyton Hewitt.

Former world number one Hewitt announced last week he would not compete in Athens because the dates are too close to the U.S. Open, the year's fourth major which begins a week after the Olympics.

Also Read


Davis Cup final - Images of day 3

Davis Cup final - Images of day 2

Davis Cup final - Images of day 1


"I want to play in the tennis because in four more years I will be 28
years old," Ferrero said.

"I think next year I have the opportunity to win a medal," he told reporters on Monday in a telephone conference call from Spain.

The French Open champion will play in the Sydney international tournament next month before the Australian Open, which begins in Melbourne on January 19.

He said revenge for Australia's defeat of Spain in the Davis Cup final last month would not be high on his agenda.

Ferrero was beaten by Hewitt and Philippoussis in two tough five-set matches as Australia went on to claim their 28th Davis Cup title.

"I don't want revenge because they played very good," Ferrero said.

"It was two losses for me but now I've really recuperated from this," he said.

Ferrero said in September he was considering skipping the Australian Open, the season-opening grand slam, because he needed a rest after a hectic year.

The Spaniard had his best Australian Open result this year when he reached the quarter-finals on the Rebound Ace courts, his least favourite surface.

"I have to defend a lot of (ranking) points in Australia, in Sydney and Melbourne ... so I have to progress to play at the same level as this year because I played very well," Ferrero said.

Source: REUTERS
© Copyright 2024 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.

NEXT ARTICLE

NewsBusinessMoviesSportsCricketGet AheadDiscussionLabsMyPageVideosCompany Email