Roger Federer historic bid for a 1,200th match win has entered a third set on Thursday against Gael Monfils at the Mutua Madrid Open. Three-time former champion Federer swept through the first set 6-0, but Monfils sparked into life to clinch a dramatic second set 6-4.

The winner will play fifth-seeded Austrian Dominic Thiem, runner-up at the ATP Masters 1000 event for the past two years.

Fourth seed Federer recovered from 15/40 in his first service game, and by the end of the 18-minute first set had struck seven winners.

The crowd, desperate to see a contest, was rewarded in the second set when Monfils sparked into life after holding serve — with an almighty roar — in the first game. The greater weight of shot helped Monfils to break Federer with a forehand winner en route to a 3-0 lead.

Two consecutive double faults cost Monfils at 4-3 and gifted Federer a way back into the pair’s 14th encounter. Monfils’ game faltered considerably, but he kept in control to save a break point with a serve and volley winner at 4-4, 30/40 and, in the following game, clinched the set when Federer hit a forehand long.

Earlier on Thursday afternoon, Thiem pushed his winning streak to seven matches by beating Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters champion Fabio Fognini 6-4, 7-5 to reach the last eight at the Caja Magica.

“I’m just David Ferrer, from Javea, nothing more.”

Arguably one of the Spaniard’s most famous quotes came when he was at the peak of his career at No. 3 in the ATP Rankings. And, in eight words, it sums up the spirit of David Ferrer’s professional career from his first day in 2000 until his final match at the 2019 Mutua Madrid Open. From such heights, Ferrer maintained the same humility as when he started hitting his first shots on the frontón court at the Club de Tenis Jávea until finishing it all at the Caja Mágica.

As a child, on Saturdays and Sundays he would spend practically all day at the club in his hometown. After training, Ferrer would spend time there with friends and in the afternoon he would play frontón, imitating his idols such as Andre Agassi, Sergi Bruguera and Carlos Costa. On those afternoons of frontón he imagined he was those ATP Tour players, but did he ever imagine that years later he would be sharing the locker room with them?

“I thought of it later, when I was with them,” says the Spaniard. “When I played with Albert Costa, Alex Corretja, Carlos Moya and with Sergi Bruguera, who was my idol and then my captain, but I didn’t at the time. Them playing and competing was so far away, and I liked what they did. In my best memories of when I was young, from when I was seven or eight when I started to play to when I turned pro at 20, I didn’t think about if I would become what I have.”

It all started on that frontón court, before playing any of the 1,110 matches he has racked up in his career. “I was very lucky with my parents,” he notes on the lack of pressure on his first steps as a tennis player. “I’m not just saying that because it’s them, but I’ve always had great respect and regard for this sport. They gave me values in life for which I will be eternally grateful. My father has always set an example. He always insisted that the important thing is not to win or lose, but to do whatever you can, try your best and enjoy playing.”

And that is the philosophy that he has always demonstrated on court. Fighting for every ball as if it were the last. “It’s the least you can ask of a tennis player,” insists the Alicante native before continuing to explain his progression in the early years of his career. “You have to be clear that it’s only a sport. You have to understand that defeat hurts… But my parents did a good job and I never felt pressured. The environment of managers came much later for me. When I was 19 or 20 years old and I won my first ATP tournament was when I had my first manager, Carlos Costa.”

Ferrer won his first match in July 2002 in Umag against David Nalbandian. At 20 years of age, he surprised the tennis world by reaching his first final at the same tournament (l. to Moya). Just a few weeks later he lifted another ATP Challenger Tour title in Manerbio. And in August of that year he would don his first ATP Tour crown in Bucharest, where he beat Jose Acasuso.

“You can become a great player. In the end, this is sport,” he says regarding solid family support, which was so important in his career. “If a father puts pressure on his son or daughter, they can become a great champion. The problem is, who will help them when they stop playing tennis? That’s the difficult bit. I promise you that if I had to choose, I would prefer to be the person I am in my parents’ home to being No. 3 in the world. I think the education I have received has made me much more at ease with myself and allowed me to manage my retirement in a noble and happy way and with the affection of a large part of the world of tennis.”

Ferrer: My Masters 1000

His arrival at No. 3 in the ATP Rankings came in July 2013 during the most brilliant spell of his career. The previous year was his most prolific with seven titles (Auckland, Buenos Aires, Acapulco, ‘s-Hertogenbosch, Bastad, Valencia and the ATP Masters 1000 in Paris). In the following months he continued his success in Auckland and Buenos Aires, as well as reaching the finals at the Miami Open presented by Itau and at Roland Garros.

Ferrer went through a huge evolution. He channelled his strong temperament on court into hours of hard work to grow as a player. “It took me a while to learn to live with defeat — above all, when you’re young and you lose — but I understood it,” he says. “I understood that it is part of tennis and of life. And when you’re young you don’t have the mental maturity to accept that. Even up to 27 or 28 years of age it was win or lose. But you can’t just focus on that. Everyone loses much more than they win.

“That also forms part of your DNA, but you can learn it. It was difficult for me. I had days when I wouldn’t speak, I found it hard to sleep… I still find it hard, but now I sleep better. I’m grateful for that. The following day I would recover. In that regard, I feel proud of how I’ve managed my days. Not enjoying certain moments in tennis because of that extra pressure the next day, that’s the only thing I found hard to understand. Losing and not forgetting, or understanding that there are moments when you can’t play as well.” adds the Spaniard, who got used to winning when he consolidated his place among the Top 10 in 2010 and then stayed among the tour’s elite for seven years.

His achievements on court speak for themselves. His 734 match wins, 12th on the all-time list, and 27 titles, third on the list of Spanish players in the Open Era behind only Manuel Orantes and Rafael Nadal, are a mere demonstration of the magnitude of his legacy. And those closest to the man from Alicante insist that he is even greater without a racquet in his hand. Farewell, David!

You won’t find a player on the ATP Tour who doesn’t admire and respect David Ferrer.

As the Spaniard concluded his legendary 19-year career on Wednesday at the Mutua Madrid Open, the biggest names in tennis all paid tribute to his hard work, sportsmanship and relentless brand of baseline tennis.

Roger Federer: “I’m a big admirer of his work ethic and personality. The guy has been so solid for the last 20 years and he’s a player that, I think, is on the same level as me. He has my utmost respect. I just want to wish him the best with everything that his future has in store for him with his family.”

Rafael Nadal: “You are a great example for everyone of determination and hard work, and you have always behaved in the correct way, doing things right with the values necessary to motivate the youngsters. I’d like to congratulate you on your playing career and above all as a person. You are an exceptional colleague and you have been throughout your career. We’re going to miss you, not just the Spaniards, but the whole of tennis. I wish you the best for your future.”

More On Ferrer’s Retirement
#GraciasFerrer: A Tribute
Farewell Match: Ferrer Bids Emotional Goodbye In Madrid 
Career Reflections: ‘I Tried To Give My All’
Exclusive Q&A: ‘In The End, All You Have Left Is The Person’

Novak Djokovic: “I have great respect for him as a player and a person. His fighting spirit and his devotion to our sport has won him the admiration of all of us. In a way, it is sad to see him go.”

Juan Martin del Potro: “One of the greatest players of this sport and one of the best people the tour has had is retiring. I can’t do any more than thank him for everything he has done for this sport and the way he has carried himself both on and off the court. I wish him the best in this new phase of his life. We’re really going to miss him. A friend is retiring, someone whom I have great respect, admiration and affection for.”

Dominic Thiem: “It’s a special moment for me because I used to watch him on TV playing big matches when I was just 10 years old and, 12 years later, I was playing against him. His career is truly exceptional. He has one of the best careers in the history of tennis. I can only wish him the best. He’s a great player and an even better person. Tennis will really miss him.”

An incredible player, and an even better person. Congrats @DavidFerrer87! ?? #graciasferru

— Marin Cilic (@cilic_marin) May 5, 2019

Kei Nishikori: “I’m very sad to see that he’s retiring because he is one of the players I used to look up to when I was young. I’ve learnt so much from him. Everything he has done is incredible, his career, playing at such a high level for so long… I don’t think anyone has done that before. I’m sad, but happy to have been able to enjoy time with him during his incredible career.”

? No te retires Ferru… te vamos a extrañar #GraciasFerru pic.twitter.com/gKqEbcnWWI

— Federico Delbonis (@FedeDelbonis) May 8, 2019

The admiration I have for @DavidFerrer87 is off the charts, you can use all the words you want. HE JUST GETS LIFE – full stop . An amazing man who will continue to impact others with the same brush.
Thanks for being a big part of this amazing tennis period. #atp #tennis #life

— roger rasheed (@roger_rasheed) May 8, 2019

Jaume Munar: “I think he has been a role model for me and for the generation of young players that are coming behind me. He defined an era in Spain together with Rafa. I can only speak of gratitude to him. I think David will always be in tennis for Spain and for the world.”

to be able to understand @DavidFerrer87 speech tonight…was worth learning Spanish all these years!
Qué gran persona y campeón eres! ??

— Kristina Mladenovic (@KikiMladenovic) May 8, 2019

When you wish that your own kids one day will be like him, you know he is a special person. Thank you for inspiring so many to hard work #GraciasFerru

— Ivan Ljubicic (@theljubicic) May 8, 2019

Diego Schwartzman: “It was a pleasure to share these years with you competing, training and sharing special moments. I learned to love you both on and off the court. I wish you great happiness in this new phase of your life.”

Alexander Zverev can play like a defending champion – and the villain – it turns out. The third-seeded German, lacking confidence of late, put it all together to knock out David Ferrer 6-4, 6-1 on Wednesday night at the Mutua Madrid Open, ending the Spaniard’s legendary career that saw him reach No. 3 in the ATP Rankings and win 27 tour-level titles, including 15 on clay.

The late-night Spanish crowd was amped and eager for Ferrer to extend his retirement tour for at least one more match. The packed La Caja Magica showered the 37-year-old, whose historic work ethic made him beloved by all, with chants of “Ferru! Ferru! Ferru!”

“It’s been a very emotional night. It’s been completely different to any other important moment in my life that I have experienced previously. I was not expecting it.

“I never expected a goodbye or farewell like today. I tried to play at a high level during the last year, but a day like today, people at work tomorrow, everyone stays here to support me and that is something that I will only have in my mind and in my heart. It’s something I will never forget,” Ferrer said.

“It’s the only match that I have lost and I’m not very sad. Whenever I lost a match in the past, I left very sad. Today I’m not sad. Today is a day that I want to enjoy, and I’m very happy to be able to enjoy a day like today.”

The match began a little before 10 p.m., and it had the feeling of a memorable evening. Ferrer raced ahead, hitting everything he wanted and benefitting from a shaky Zverev, who was tentative with his groundstrokes and struggled on serve, double faulting to give Ferrer, who was hopping in between points, the break in the fourth game.

Read More: Ferrer Discusses Retirement, What’s Next

After the Spaniard hit a drop shot winner to hold to love for 4-1, he jogged to his chair with his fist raised, and during the changeover, the crowd showered him with “Ferru! Ferru! Ferru!”

But Zverev calmed down and dug in, relying on his defence to break back and win the next five games, along with the opening set. The German was soon into attack mode, whipping crosscourt forehands and pulling Ferrer from side to side, and the Spanish veteran could do little to slow down the three-time Masters 1000 champion, who won 11 of the final 12 games. Zverev will next meet Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz, who won 86 per cent of his first-serve points (36/42) and beat France’s Lucas Pouille 7-5, 6-1.

“I started the game playing well, playing with a break, but yesterday I finished the match dehydrated, physically very, very tired. And to win against Zverev you have to be in full condition, you have to be very fit,” said Ferrer, who beat countryman Roberto Bautista Agut in the first round.

More On Ferrer’s Retirement
Federer, Nadal, Djokovic Pay Tribute 
Ferrer’s Career Reflections: ‘I Tried To Give My All’

“It’s a reality that physically I cannot play more than two straight matches at the level that I would like to play and that is another symptom that says that my life as a tennis player is finishing. But I have been very lucky to be able to choose the moment, the place, and to share it with all of you and with all the people that I love.”

It was also an emotional evening for Zverev, who looked up to Ferrer as a boy. As the 37-year-old Spaniard faced three match points, down 4-6, 1-5, 0/40, Zverev encouraged the crowd to give him a standing ovation. “Come on, everybody,” Zverev said, raising his arms.

Watch Zverev Encourage The Crowd To Support Ferrer

The 21-year-old German looked to be filming the post-match ceremony with his phone and holding back tears as Ferrer, who again left his bandana on the T, was honoured by the tournament.

“He’s the most respectful guy for me on Tour, and one of the most loved people on the Tour as well,” Zverev said. “We’re going to miss him.”

A video shown for all in La Caja Magica played tributes from leading WTA and ATP stars, including Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Ferrer then spoke for 11 minutes, thanking everyone, from his parents to his longtime coach Javier Piles to the regular fans who sent Ferrer off with one final standing ovation.

Ferrer won the 2012 Rolex Paris Masters for his only Masters 1000 title. But, during retirement, his 27 tour-level titles won’t be his most cherished possessions.

“I never won Madrid. I never won Roland Garros. I never won some tournaments I would’ve loved to win. I have my trophies at home, they’re just trophies, material,” Ferrer said. “What I really take with me is the love you’ve shown me. Always in my heart. Thank you so much.”

David Ferrer is hanging up his racquet at the 2019 Mutua Madrid Open after a stunning career: former World No. 3, 27 ATP Tour titles — including the 2012 Rolex Paris Masters — three Davis Cups, 2013 Roland Garros finalist, Australian Open (2011, 2013) and US Open (2007, 2012) semi-finalist, a quarter-finalist at Wimbledon (2012-13) and a runner-up finish at the 2007 Nitto ATP Finals. It is, without a doubt, one of the best careers in the history of Spanish tennis. The Javea native has also earned the respect of his peers, including Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Andy Murray.

Ferrer says that the ambition and drive of the quartet made him a better player. Of his compatriot Nadal, Ferrer admitted, “Rafa has been a mirror for me. Although he is younger and joined the tour later, I’ve learned from him. Winning a tournament and winning it again. Winning at Roland Garros, going to Queen’s [in London] and winning again… That showed me that when you win a tournament it’s not enough, you have to keep going. That helped me reach World No. 3 and to have the consistency I did.

“If I hadn’t seen those players, if I’d been with the other kind of players that I witnessed at the start of my career, I wouldn’t have been such a good player,” he added. “Federer would change the pace and drive me crazy. Maybe I made him sweat like many players, but I never had the chance to beat him.”

More On Ferrer’s Retirement
#GraciasFerrer: A Tribute
Farewell Match: Spaniard Bids Emotional Goodbye In Madrid
Federer, Nadal, Djokovic React To Ferrer Retirement 
Watch Zverev Encourage The Crowd To Support Ferrer

Of course, the peak of Ferrer’s career came in 2013 at Roland Garros, a bittersweet and also memorable fortnight to the final against Nadal. “I never had a chance,” Ferrer recalled. “I’m not blaming anyone, but my motivation for that match was not the best. I went onto court a little distressed. And that’s normal because it was my first final, it’s logical. Anyway, maybe in those moments we were none the wiser. Neither I, nor my team, had a better idea of how to approach the match. We did what we could.”

Another near miss, which Ferrer struggles to forget came at the All England Club, Wimbledon, in partnership with his great friend, Feliciano Lopez, during the 2012 Olympics. A 6-3, 4-6, 18-16 semi-final loss to the French team of Jo-Wilfred Tsonga and Michael Llodra left them exhausted and, ultimately, without a bronze medal. “We were both in the locker room and it was so hard,” remembers Ferrer. “We were playing so well. And that match, at 0/40… We were the better side for the whole match and it really hurt us. If we’d lost an easy match, I think we’d have had a better chance of winning the bronze. But it was so hard mentally. The next day was very difficult.”

At the end of an exceptional career, the universally admired and fierce competitor will cherish his close friendships with fellow Spaniards, former World No. 1 Juan Carlos Ferrero and Roberto Bautista Agut. “Juan Carlos opened his doors to me and offered advice. We were very close. It’s something I’ll be eternally grateful for. It’s similar to what I feel now with Roberto Bautista. Juan Carlos taught me to help a young player. We got on well and he gave me the chance to be with him at the Valencia tournament. I have a lot of respect and affection for him, he’s a person I’ll always be grateful to. If there’s one thing I regret, it’s not having taken the step of working with him at certain points of my career.” Ferrer also expresses his admiration of Carlos Moya and Sergi Bruguera, Albert Costa and Alex Corretja, in addition to his friendships with Feliciano, Marc Lopez, Nadal and Bautista Agut.

In reflection, Ferrer is more than satisfied. “I can only say that I haven’t won a Grand Slam because I wasn’t able to. I tried to give my all, but I wouldn’t exchange places with players that have won one. There are players that have one Grand Slam and have only played one or two Masters finals. I’ve played in seven, I’m the third player in the history of Spain to win 734 matches – 12th on the ATP Tour match wins list (since 1972). My tennis life has been very good. I felt good about myself for many years of my career.”

Ferrer never lost the most valuable trait of all: humility. He will be missed.

Kei Nishikori earned a high five from partner Juan Martin del Potro after tagging Bruno Soares with a shot in their second-round match at the Mutua Madrid Open, but Soares and Jamie Murray had the last laugh. The third seeds defeated Del Potro and Nishikori 7-6(5), 6-2 on Wednesday to earn their place in the quarter-finals at the ATP Masters 1000 tournament.

Del Potro and Nishikori, teaming up for the first time this week, had played their second-round singles matches earlier in the day. Del Potro lost to Rio Open presented by Claro champion Laslo Djere, while Nishikori prevailed against qualifier Hugo Dellien.

Read: Djere Saves M.P. On Delpo’s Return | Nishikori Battles

Murray and Soares will next face Wesley Koolhof and Stefanos Tsitsipas, who ousted Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters champions Nikola Mektic and Franko Skugor 6-2, 6-4. Mektic had also won the Madrid title last year with Alexander Peya.

Second seeds and 2017 champions Lukasz Kubot and Marcelo Melo continued their bid to reclaim the Madrid title by defeating Robin Haase and Raven Klaasen 6-4, 7-6(5). In the quarter-finals, they will play Guido Pella and Joao Sousa, who fought for a 4-6, 7-6(11), 11-9 win over No. 8 seeds Henri Kontinen and John Peers.

Sixth seeds Oliver Marach and Mate Pavic also advanced as they beat Argentines Maximo Gonzalez and Horacio Zeballos 6-4, 7-6(3). Meanwhile, Jean-Julien Rojer and Horia Tecau prevailed against Brits Kyle Edmund and Neal Skupski 6-2, 6-7(4), 10-5.