AUCKLAND, January 9, 2019

David Ferrer’s four titles and 32 wins are the most at the ASB Classic in the Open Era. The 36-year-old Spaniard  made his 14th Auckland appearance this week and has been absent only once since 2006. Ferrer’s transition from a clay-court specialist and rise to World No. 3 in the ATP Rankings can be traced to Auckland, where he won his first non-clay title in 2007 and three in a row from 2011-13.

In Wednesday’s second round match he made his final appearance on Center Court. Unfortunately, Ferrer was forced to retire in his match against his compatriot Pablo Carreno Busta in the third game of the opening set due to a right leg injury.

THANK YOU DAVID!

Due to injury, David Ferrer has withdrawn from the 2019 ASB Classic. We wish him the best of luck for the rest of the season and in retirement 💛

This legend has walked off the courts of the ASB Classic for the last time… THANK YOU DAVID.#THANKYOUDAVID pic.twitter.com/r1mNkFCi0y

— ASB Classic (@ASB_Classic) 9. Januar 2019

“I am disappointed that I had to retire in my last match here,” said Ferrer, who was presented a special trophy afterwards and will hang up his racket later in the season.

“I have good memories of the tournament and I am proud of my career.

“It was a priority for me to come here for another time. It’s like my second home. I know that I can’t speak your language perfectly but I always feel comfortable here. I will come back with my family and I won the last point.”