This content was published 14 years ago. It may refer to a past edition of the Internazionali d’Italia.

After slipping to a seemingly inexorable defeat, David Ferrer tried to take consolation from the fact that he had just played the first Masters final of his career
“I played a good game but not the best game ever (between the two of us). I think we played other better matches together. After the rain (which came at 4-4 in the first set), the court was slower and of course Rafa is in form, especially in difficult moments and it’s difficult to beat him. But I was pleased with my game,” said Ferrer, who will rise from No.19 to No.12 in the world in Monday’s rankings.
Although it is always difficult for the loser to look back on the successful elements of a tournament so soon after defeat in a final, Ferrer was surprisingly lucid when he came off court. “This is the first time in a Masters season final in Rome and I am happy with that. I am happy with my season this year, and it is important for me and for my confidence for my next tournaments. The important thing for me is to play well the whole season, if I can. My best season was in 2007 and I don’t think (I can repeat that). It’s difficult to come back to No.4 (Ferrer’s highest ranking to date). I enjoy my tennis and I will try my best to come back into the top 10 but to come back to No.4, I don’t think so.”