ATP Valencia - Juan Carlos Ferrero loses last match of singles career

Former world no. 1 Juan Carlos Ferrero has played the last singles tennis match of his career as the Spaniard was beaten in the first round of the ATP Valencia Open on Tuesday.

Ferrero is the second former top ranked mens player to call it quits in recent months after American Andy Roddick hung up his rackets at the US Open.

Ferrero was beaten by fellow Spaniard and good friend Nicolas Almagro in straight sets.

"This is a very special week, a very emotional week," the 32 year old Ferrero said following his match. "Today on court it was very emotional, but it’s been very emotional since the tournament started.  There were two sides of the coin to playing against Nico. When I first saw the draw, I was really not happy because he was one of the few players I didn’t want to play. We’re best friends, we practise together, and Nico is also trying to qualify for the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals. I was really not happy, but then, the nice side of it is that I played my last match against a very important person for me, a great friend."

"I’ve always been a very competitive person and a winner, and I felt like I didn’t have it within me anymore. It takes a lot to keep up with what the level is. I could probably still be around for some time, but because I’ve always been a perfectionist, I want to stop now."

Ferrero will also play doubles this week with David Ferrer.