«It’s just another tournament - I know it’s a Grand Slam, but I lost in the second round last year and the world’s still turning». That’s what Juan Carlos Ferrero said after losing in straight sets to fellow Spaniard Feliciano Lopez in his opening match at the US Open.

It’s been three years by now that «the world keeps turning» for Ferrero, a former n.1 and runner-up in Flushing Meadows in 2003. After suffering chicken pox and mother’s death in 2004, «Mosquito» has never been the same. His forehand doesn’t hurt, he misses a lot from the baseline, his all-court game has lost sharpness.

Most of all on claycourt, where he dominated 2002 and 2003 seasons. No more tournament victories for four years, most of his rare highlights came on faster surfaces. Finalist in Rotterdam 2004 and Vienna 2005 (carpet), Cincinnati 2006 (hardcourt), quarters in Wimbledon (grass) earlier this year.

From his pale looks, one could deduce he’s lost passion for tennis, attitude to hard work. So he was downsized from a champion to a second lead. On the other hand, even if he’s not at the top, «the world keeps turning».