David Ferrer is retiring from tennis next month. Felix Auger-Aliassime will be seeded at a Grand Slam for the first time next month.
At opposite ends of the career spectrum, both Ferrer and Auger-Aliassime won their second-round matches at the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell on Wednesday afternoon. The 37-year-old Spaniard crushed Lucas Pouille 6-3, 6-1, while the 18-year-old Canadian defeated Malek Jaziri 6-3, 7-6(7).
Ferrer has lost a mere eight games through two matches in Barcelona, having previously destroyed Mischa Zverev by the exact same 6-3, 6-1 margin.
“I’m sure it’ll be something in the world of tennis,” the former world No. 3 said when asked about what he will do next. “I love and adore it. My life has been so intense and I have traveled so much that what I want is to be with my family for a while and slow down a little. Being able to travel a little slower, to discover the world in a more relaxed way, and to focus more on them. Spending time with my family and my son.
“I’d like to ski, to commentate, which I’ve never done, and to know how I can communicate.… It’s a way of learning through teaching. I have really enjoyed teaching 10 to 16-year-olds. It’s a time for young people and teenagers and that’s where I’d like to help. Not this year, because I want to take a break, but it’s something I’m excited about for next year.”
Auger-Aliassime isn’t in the 10-16 age range anymore, but that also wasn’t so long ago for him. The teenager is already up to No. 31 in the rankings and is almost a lock to reach the top 30 next week even if he loses to Kei Nishikori during third-round action on Thursday. Auger-Aliassime earned an opening bye as the 16th and final seed in Barcelona, so his win over Jaziri puts him in the third round and one victory away from the quarters.
Nishikori advanced on Tuesday, when he disposed of Taylor Fritz 7-5, 6-2.
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