David Ferrer said before the Madrid Open that the competition in his home nation would be the last of his 20-year career, and hoped to craft a fairy tale ending by claiming one more trophy for his mantle. But after outlasting compatriot Roberto Bautista Agut in the first round, the Spaniard could not carry over that momentum against third seeded German Alexander Zverev, and hangs up his racquet on the heels of a 6-4, 6-1 loss. 

"I just want to say thank you to all the people who made tonight so beautiful. I am so privileged to have wrapped up my tennis career with my people, my family, with the people I love the most. I can just say this -- it's been a marvelous chapter of my life -- the best. But now I'm going to enter another era with my family, and experience different things, and I'm going to enjoy it so much," Ferrer said after the match. 

Ferrer turned professional in 2000 after spending the previous season participating in events on the ATP Tour as an amateur, and went on to claim 27 titles and reach 52 finals in his career, including a memorable loss to countryman Rafael Nadal in the championship match at the 2013 French Open. 

"I couldn't give any more. I won 27 titles, three Davis Cups. I never won here in Madrid, I could never win a Grand Slam, I couldn't win another trophy that I'd like to have won. But, I won something that will always be in my heart. It is the support from you. Thank you. Thank you for giving me this evening. This is a special night and the last night of my tennis career. You will always be in my heart always," Ferrer said in his retirement ceremony. 

As a clay-court specialist, the 37-year-old won half of his 27 titles on that surface. His singles record is the fifth-best among active players behind the top four of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray. The Spaniard had 734 wins in 1,111 matches, which is fourth-best among active players. He has never won a Grand Slam, but reached the final of the French Open in 2013, the semi-finals of the Australian and US Open twice, and the last eight of Wimbledon, also on two occasions. 

Ferrer was also part of the Spain Davis Cup team who won the title three-times in 2008, 2009, and 2011. His highest career ranking was world number three in July 2013.