Third and fourth seeds David Ferrer and Richard Gasquet have withdrawn from the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell with a calf injury and rib injury respectively. Ferrer has struggled with injury all year, being forced to withdraw from two of three ATP Masters 1000 events so far this year, including last week in Monte Carlo. Renzo Olivo and Edouard Roger Vasellin have taken the third and fourth seeds' spots in the draw as lucky losers.
Ferrer's injury plagued start to 2016
After struggling in Australia during the first month of the season, the Spaniard went to the Latin American Golden Swing. The former French Open finalist lost early in Rio and Acapulco, two surprising results for the Spaniard. Due to a lack of motivation, Ferrer pulled out of Indian Wells, seeking to regain his passion for the sport.
The next week, the world number eight fell in the third round in Miami to young Frenchmen Lucas Pouille. Most recently in Monte Carlo, Ferrer was forced to pull out due to the calf injury, the same injury that has forced him out of Barcelona. At 33 and with the physical brand of tennis Ferrer plays, one has to wonder how much longer the former Barcelona finalist can keep it up.
Gasquet's tough start to 2016
After missing the entire Australian swing due to recurring back problems, Gasquet returned from injury with a title run in Montpellier.. Gasquet then fell in the quarterfinals in Marseille, before a Davis Cup win against Vasek Pospisil. The Frenchmen then headed to Indian Wells and Miami, falling in the round of 16 in both events. Last week in Monte Carlo, Gasquet crashed out in the second round to Pouille.
Both players' outlooks going into Roland Garros
With Roland Garros only a few weeks away, an injury now can be detrimental to a players' chances in Paris. With the recurring injury for Ferrer, it can be tough to see the veteran Spaniard playing too well at Roland Garros. For Gasquet, a rib injury can be quite serious. Both players are next set to play in Madrid and Rome before the French Open.