Lazy David Ferrer was never the most dedicated of trainers: Coach

Spanish tennis star David Ferrer’s tough upbringing is set to ensure that he gives World No. 5 Andy Murray one hell of a battle when they face each other in the round-robin stages of the World Tour Finals in London.

Ferrer’s coach Javier Piles revealed that he was never the most dedicated of trainers, which explains one of the more unusual methods the coach used when the current world No 7 was not showing enough dedication in his teenage years.

“When he didn’t want to work I would lock him up in a dark room of 2X2m and give him a piece of bread and water,” The Sun quoted Piles, as saying.

“It was the room where we would store the tennis balls. I would tell him that his working schedule was from nine to 12 and that if he didn’t want to work he would remain there punished.”

“I would give him a piece of bread and a bottle of water through the bars of a small window. After a few minutes we would hear David asking other trainers from the club for some help to get out, but we wouldn’t pay any attention,” he added.

Ferrer has lost both his matches so far, but still has a chance of qualifying for Saturday’s semi-finals, which will be contested by the top two players from each round-robin group of four. 

Murray had got off to a flyer with a tidy 6-2 6-4 win over Robin Soderling, but was later defeated by Roger Federer 6-4 6-2.