Ferrer, Gasquet Visit Camp Nou

If they were looking for inspiration ahead of the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell, David Ferrer and Richard Gasquet may have found it as they visited one of the most impressive football grounds in the world on Monday – the Camp Nou, home of FC Barcelona.

Ferrer and Gasquet were welcomed to the club by Jordi Cardoner, vice president of FC Barcelona, and Jordi Penas, the director of the FC Barcelona museum. As well as being presented with replica shirts bearing their names, the pair were treated to a private tour of the Camp Nou, including a visit to the museum, which houses Lionel Messi’s Ballon d’Or awards, the shirt of legendary player Ronald Koeman, and FC Barcelona’s countless trophies.

Ferrer, a Barcelona fan, had been to the ground many times before for matches, but never pitch side. 

“I’m a supporter of Barcelona and it was very nice to have a chance to do the tour and be here in the Nou Camp,” said Ferrer. “Lionel Messi is my favourite player. He’s the best player in the world. I’ve never seen anyone like him.” 

The Spaniard is a four-time former finalist in Barcelona, losing to Rafael Nadal on each occasion. He is making his return from a calf injury this week, after being forced to miss the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters, and faces Radek Stepanek in his opening second-round match.

Gasquet is seeded fourth at this ATP World Tour 500 clay-court tournament and is looking to bounce back from a second-round exit in Monte-Carlo.

“It’s important to be back in Barcelona,” said Gasquet, who is playing here for the first time since 2011. “I hope I will play well. It’s a favourite tournament for me, a historic one, a lot of big players won here. I like playing here.

“It was crazy to visit the [FC Barcelona] museum,” continued Gasquet, who supports PSG. “It’s an incredible experience for me, especially being on the pitch. It’s so big, it’s amazing. I’m a football fan and to be here in the Camp Nou, it’s amazing for me.