Nadal sends friend Ferrer into Slam retirement as Murray, Wawrinka return in style

Defending US Open champion Rafael Nadal sent close friend David Ferrer into Grand Slam retirement on Monday when his veteran compatriot was forced to quit their first round match with injury, but former winners Andy Murray and Stan Wawrinka made successful returns to New York.

Ferrer, a former world number three but now standing at a lowly 148, called it quits on a hot and humid night on Arthur Ashe Stadium despite leading 4-3 with a break in the second set after twice receiving treatment on a left leg injury.

Top seed Nadal had taken the opener 6-3.

"This is my last Grand Slam," said Ferrer who was runner-up to Nadal in the 2013 French Open final.

"I have great memories of this tournament and I am just sorry that I couldn't finish it tonight." Ferrer, 36, will play his last tournament on home ground in Madrid next year.

"I am very sorry for David and sad for him," said Nadal. "We are close friends and have shared great moments -- the Roland Garros final and Davis Cup wins.

"He is one of the greatest players to have come from our country. He's a great person and great player."
"But I started to get into the return games, stood back a little more and that gave me more time to get in the rallies and find my range with my ground strokes." Like