David Ferrer said he considers the world's top four untouchable after losing to Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open quarter-finals.
Spaniard Ferrer, the world No.5, went down in straight sets to defending champion Djokovic on Wednesday.The world No.1 Serbian won 6-4 7-6 (7-4) 6-1, despite appearing to be troubled by hamstring and breathing problems on Rod Lover Arena.
Ferrer has now won 35 of 100 career meetings with top 10 opposition, and readily conceded the sport's big four were too hot to handle."I think the top four players, they are better than the other ones," he said.
"They are [at a] much better level than other ones."
Pressed further as to whether the gap can be closed, Ferrer said: "No, I don't think so because the last year, the top four players play all the finals in the Grand Slams."
"They were there in the final rounds and this year they are doing [it] again."
"I think the top four, it's another level."Defeat to Djokovic was Ferrer's first loss in nine matches, a run that saw him lift the Heineken Open in Auckland earlier this month.
"I feel good, I did good [at] both tournaments, last week in Auckland and here in [the] Australian Open," he said."I won eight matches."
"Now I am little bit disappointed [but] after one hour [or] two hours, I [will] know I did a good tournament and feel good."
"Now I will go to home, I will go to relax some days [and then] come back to play in some tournaments again and will try to fight again."